Tom Glavine speaks and does himself a disservice
“The last thing I want to do was come in here and sound like a bitter athlete,” Tom Glavine said on 790 The Zone this morning.
Call that a swing and a miss.
My favorite Brave ever went on the radio (link requires registration) and did himself a massive disservice. He sounded like a bitter athlete. He called the Braves liars. He called them cheap. He said he’d been “misled and mistreated to a certain extent.”
And also this: “It could have been handled a whole lot better … This organization sometimes boxes itself in. They don’t ever take into account [that some] guys deserve to be treated a little bit differently.”
Tom Glavine was treated differently. He was handed a million dollars coming off shoulder surgery at the ancient age of 43. No other team would have given him a job — or a dime — without first seeing if he could pitch. The Braves gave him a million dollars. Then they took a long look and decided he couldn’t.
And now he’s mad. He’s mad because he had to drive (his estimation) “an hour and a half” to pitch in Rome on Tuesday. He’s mad because he worked hard to get into shape only to be told he wasn’t good enough to make the Braves’ 25-man roster. Had he been told, Glavine said, he was going to have to audition for a place on the team, he wouldn’t have signed the contract.
Loading ...So there it is: If he was going to try and make a comeback, Tom Glavine wanted a guaranteed roster spot. At age 43. After arm surgery.
Folks, this is not college. Athletes — even great athletes, which Glavine indisputably is — don’t get tenure. There comes a time when every athlete must realize he’s no longer the guy he was at 25 or 35 and step aside. And too many of them simply don’t grasp that. Too many of them walk away blaming somebody else for the inexorable march of time.
Glavine said on 790 he probably wouldn’t show up at Turner Field to honor Greg Maddux in July. Because he’s mad. But you know what else made him mad? That the lying, penny-pinching Braves didn’t offer him a job as a pitching consultant or something. Glavine is so mad he wants to have it both ways — or, more precisely, all his way.
But he’ll get over it. Guys invariably do. He’ll step back and realize he’s no longer a big-league pitcher, and the Braves will call and say, “We’re putting up a statue of you — will you come for the unveiling?” and he’ll say, “Yeah, sure.” And he’ll show up and smile and forget he ever called the Braves liars and cheapskates and he’ll join the broadcast team and forget how mad he felt in June 2009.
Rip-A-Hall-Of-Famer Friday: In case you missed it, here’s what I thought of John Smoltz’s criticism of the Braves for releasing Glavine.
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545 comments Add your comment
Will
June 5th, 2009
1:46 pm
There should be little argument that the Braves would be a better team with the young AAA arms than with Tom. That’s not the point. The point is that the Braves want you to believe they just realized this.
Who did not know that the Braves would be a better team with the young arms than with Tom a month ago? Two months? Of course they knew. They still put him through the charade of believing he was playing himself into condition to rejoin the team. Do you really believe management did not know that Hanson was ready to be a major league pitcher a month ago? Two months? If they didn’t, they were blind.
Why didn’t they at least let him return for a final start? Ater all, it could have been a “win-win” situation – he may have proved them wrong about his ability to pitch and would have been appreciated by Braves fans. So why not? It would have cost them, relative to major league money, a little money. The fact that the Braves organization would not (or could not) spend this relatively small amount of money to honor Tom says tons about the financial condition of the franchise.
The Atlanta Braves organization has badly mishandled John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. There are better ways to handle these things. Either management is incredibly naive and does not understand the harm done or is incredibly arrogant and does not care. Either way, the organization loses.
It’s nothing but a business – remember that. I will.
wolf
June 5th, 2009
1:47 pm
Tom Glavine has made over $130 million playing baseball, most of it from the Atlanta Braves. When it was to HIS benefit to go elsewhere, to the Mets, he left. Now, it is probably to the Braves benefit that he GO, so he is gone, with, of course, all the tens of millions he received. Should the Braves let a talented rookie like Tommy Hanson sit down in the minor leagues just so Glavine can use Turner Field as his personal little playground? Would HE have been willing to remain in the minors at Hanson’s age so that a faded veteran could occupy a roster spot? Most of these star athletes live in a dream world where a million bucks is like a dime, while the rest of us know that, no matter how hard we work and how competent we might be, most companies will show us the door if they can save a dollar by hiring somebody who’ll get the job done for less money. Smoltz and Glavine were top-notch pitchers, but they are also overgrown babies.
Hey John
June 5th, 2009
1:48 pm
Arguing that you were misled and lied to and never given a chance is slightly different than “crying.”
A Tribe Called Quest
June 5th, 2009
1:48 pm
About time the truth comes out.
Smoltz & Glavine = old, NEVER healthy. I repeat: These two CANNOT STAY HEALTHY. They had their fun here, winning the world series and a million division titles. This isn’t 1995–it’s 2009. These two guys stink nowadays and we shouldn’t have to waste our moeny in this economy on 45 year old bums.
Smoltz, on the other hand, plays golf all summer and gives cute interviews on teh radio. Then when it’s time to play, he gets hurt.
What class acts.
NCBravesFan
June 5th, 2009
1:48 pm
Couple of things… This is the same Glavine who was contemplating retirement a month ago. Just how long was everyone supposed to wait for him to turn it around?
Second – the Braves are in a pennant race. This changes the dynamic.
I understand his anger and I think you’re right Mark – he’ll get over it eventually.
Commentor
June 5th, 2009
1:49 pm
Mr. Bradley,
To answer your question: it would have been more acceptable, or at least understandable, if the Braves had either not re-signed Glavine in the spring, or not raised such hopes over the rehab assignments. I can’t speak for what Glavine himself thought, but as someone who has been a fan of his for 20 years now, I had been telling people for weeks that my plan was to go to Turner Field to see him start again.
Not wanting to spend $1m on a 43-year-old coming off of shoulder surgery makes perfect sense… so why sign the contract back in the spring? Wasn’t Glavine a more dubious investment after the rehab starts than before? Why not structure things more cautiously at the outset, and be more careful as to how the rehab is publicized? Certainly as of earlier this week Jim Powell and Lemke were talking as if they expected Glavine to be promoted.
I agree that Glavine is doing himself no favors by speaking while he’s still upset. (It’s the sports-talk-radio equivalent of waiting 24 hours before sending an angry email.) And I have not regarded Smoltz the Homophobe as having much class for a while now. But it does seem to me that the Braves would have a lot less bitterness and disappointment on their hands now if they hadn’t raised expectations earlier.
ITP Brave
June 5th, 2009
1:49 pm
Wow, Moveon.
Obvious Troll is Obvious
Justin
June 5th, 2009
1:53 pm
Bradley, I hate you and every article you write. In my journalism classes I use your op/ed’s to show how far the AJC has fallen as a paper. But DAMMIT YOU ARE RIGHT! From this day forward I am a reformed Mark Bradley fan. Never have wrote two more acurate articles about these two guys than you did today. My group of friends and I have discussed for several years now that Smoltz is an egomaniac who always thinks somebody is out to get him, that’s how he does great. The Glavine situation we have, well hell the fact of the matter is Frank Wren has a job and it’s not to appease a bunch of old veteran pitchers but to win ball games. He looked at the facts and said you know what, Tommy Hanson gives us the best chance to do that so we’re going with him. Sorry guys, you were great pitchers but the time has come for us to win, something this team couldn’t do last year with a pitching duo of Smoltz and Glavine.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 5th, 2009
1:53 pm
Sooner or later in leife we all have to step aside. Sometimes it’s our decision and sometimes it’s not.
Hillbilly Deluxe
June 5th, 2009
1:53 pm
Should have said “life”.
BossLady
June 5th, 2009
1:56 pm
If he truly believes that they lied he can justify saying they lied.
PirateParrothead
June 5th, 2009
1:57 pm
Pittsburgh Pirates fan here, just checking the AJC for any article on Nate McLouth when I ran across this. You guys got a good one in Nate, all class, all hustle – perfect example of what you want in a ballplayer. On the other hand, you have to read articles like this and the Smoltz article from this horse’s butt. Glad I don’t live in Atlanta
Frank Wren go home
June 5th, 2009
1:57 pm
Leave it to you Mark to pull out the few quotes that you did. I love how the AJC put up the picture they did of Glavine on the main page, with your article following it.
Roger
June 5th, 2009
1:58 pm
Frankly, i’m tired of hearing about Tom Glavine and his sudden release from the Braves. He is 43 years old and washed up as a picture. He should have known it was past time to retire. I hate seeing guys hang on too long after their skills / bodies start to fade. After all these years Glavine should know it’s a BUSINESS. Get over it !
Joanthan
June 5th, 2009
1:58 pm
Tommy – you left us years ago because we couldn’t pay you enough money…
Today Tommy we are letting you go, well, because THIS TIME we simply don’t want to pay you the money. Thanks anyway though!
Smarts
June 5th, 2009
1:58 pm
Wolf – there’s a larger picture here. Yes Glavine made that much money as a Brave. However, the benefit is always reciprocal – lame comment, Wolf. How much did the Braves profit from him too over that time? The fannies in the seats, merchandising, tv coverage, etc? So, it’s not about how much he made. What it is about is how an organization treats those few that they call – their hall-of-famers. Big picture, Wolf.
Dell
June 5th, 2009
2:00 pm
Hey Mark, since Glavine was released for lack of work, is he eligible to collect unemployment benefits?
Jay
June 5th, 2009
2:00 pm
Glavine seems to forget the most important thing of all: he was paid to pitch. The Braves do not owe him anything. I don’t blame them for cutting him. Most high school pitchers can bring it faster than high 70’s to low 80’s. So go somewhere else and cry! I hope he signs with a NL team and he pitches against the Braves. They owned him when he pitched for the Mets.
Zac
June 5th, 2009
2:00 pm
If you listened to that whole interview and thought Glavine sounded bitter and spitefully, I want to know what you are on. Because it sounds like a good ride. Too often in business, relationship and even sports management people are overlooking that fact that there is simply a right way to do things. This was not handled the right way. Sure, my Braves are a better team than they were 3 days ago…but at what cost. Just because we are better, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t hold themselves to a higher standard. I am excited…but disappointed.
Keeping It REAL
June 5th, 2009
2:01 pm
You think Tom Glavine did himself a disservice by speaking ?!?!?!?
Have you ever heard MIKE VICK or one of his brain-numb, chest-thumping, inarticulate, foul-mouthed “Supporters” speak?
MO – Rons !
Steven
June 5th, 2009
2:01 pm
Glavine ‘undid’ his change of heart 5 years ago. He told John Schurholtz he was coming back. John was very excited. Oh wait, Schurholtz learned from Glavine’s press conference in New York that he was going to sign with the Mets. The union told him to because the Mets were giving him more money.
Not a loyal guy in my opinion. And now the 790 interview. Bye Bye Tom. Glad to see you go.
BosnianBaller
June 5th, 2009
2:01 pm
I would rather have McClouth and Hanson over Glavine and Morton.The hell with Glavine he signed with our rival 5 years ago.He is a punk you can see it on his face.No wonder his 1st wife left him for a bartender.
braves70
June 5th, 2009
2:06 pm
What did Tom Glavine say that was incorrect?
That the Braves lied? They did. They signed a contract with him knowing that meant they were obligated to let him try to rehabilitate and then resume his spot as a Major League Pitcher.
That the Braves are cheap? They are since the days that Ted owned the team. The corporate goons who have run the show have squeezed every penny.
That the Braves are not respective of the players who have been a big part of their success? They are not. JS never was and Frank Wren is not. David Justice was an excellent example of a guy who won a World Championship for them then was scuttled. Ron Gant provided years of great service and was dumped when he got injured on that motorcycle. Greg Maddux once said that he was basically fired by the Braves because they would not resign him.
It is possible that Maddux may not come back for the day his uniform is retired after the treatment that Glavine and Smoltz received. I hope Greg shows up because he has the guts to tell fans how screwed up the Braves are as an organization and thell them to take his uniform number and stuff it.
Shoeless Joe
June 5th, 2009
2:07 pm
wolf:
a couple points to keep in mind: 1) Glavine was going to make the $130MM somewhere, because of the pitcher he is. 2) He has stated publicly that when he was a free agent, he provided the Brave’s with a salary number that he considered fair. The Met’s trumped that number. Glavine then came back to the Brave’s and said all he wanted from them was his initial offer. He did not demand that they match the Met’s offer. When the Brave’s refused to pay him what he thought was fair (and below what the Met’s were willing to pay him)he concluded that the Brave’s really didn’t want him. What would you, or any other Brave’s fan have done in a similar situation? 3)If the situation were reversed between him and Hanson what would he have done? Not a whole helluva lot because there is nothing you can do except wait your turn!
DannyX
June 5th, 2009
2:07 pm
I am just sick of this. Sick of it. Fed up!
Where was Glavine when we lost a full season of baseball? Leading the way! Where was Tom’s loyalty to the fans when he went to NY for a few extra bucks? These muti millionaire ball players are so out of touch. They force the issue with these ridiculous salaries then wonder why management do what they must and spend their money wisely.
Guess what? Players the last 20 years have shown NO loyalty to the fans. None. Zip. They sell the fans out for the highest bidder all the time. This lack of loyalty to the fans was started by players like Glavine.
Tom, you’re 43 years old with a bum arm! Why the heck did you not do the right thing and RETIRE GRACEFULLY??????
Its time for the Braves to look to the future. Its time to move forward.
Horner's Corner
June 5th, 2009
2:10 pm
Please view the following link and enjoy a proper farewell to Smoltz and Glavine. See ya boys!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQA49NZAyls
Coachmoe
June 5th, 2009
2:11 pm
Glavine has a shot memory, he left the Braves to become a Met, now he thinks the Braves should have handled things better. What do you think the Braves owed you? Get over it…
Smoltz should just shut-up, he left the Braves and what they do is of no concern of his.
Jeff
June 5th, 2009
2:13 pm
Hey Mark – great column, as always. You hit upon the real – but hard to accept – truth….. that Tom Glavine is probably past his prime as a MLB pitcher, and that the Braves have finally hit upon the time where they have to move on from the “glory days” of the 1990s and move on. As they say, all good things must come to an end…. it’s just hard for fans when those “things” are the careers of great, legendary Braves that meant so much to this team and this city like Glavine, Smoltz, Maddux, Javy Lopez, Terry Pendleton, Sid Bream, Andres Gallaraga, David Justice, Ron Gant, Steve Avery, Fred McGriff, etc.
I don’t know who’s really right in this weeks’ scenario (personally, I think both parties share blame – Glavine IS acting like a bitter athlete who doesn’t realize he’s 43 and out of gas, and the Braves did NOT handle this with much tact), but I will say this, from a fan’s perspective: When I was 21 and in college, the 1991 Braves electrified this city and this region unlike any other team (except the early 1980s UGA football team). And I think in the minds of many fans (myself included), I went into the 2008 season last spring with the excitement of “Hey, we’ve got Tommy Glavine and John Smoltz back in the rotation!” Only, this was NOT the Glavine and Smoltz of 1991 or 1992 or 1995 or even 1998 or 1999… these were almost-mid-40s guys who have thrown thousands of innings and who are starting to break down. I’m almost as old as Tom Glavine, and I know my body is not as sharp as it was 10 years ago… but it’s hard for us guys to accept. And I guess it’s hard for us fans to accept that these guys probably ARE past their prime… I just hope we all let some time go by, heal the wounds, and in 5 or 6 or 8 or 10 years, when we have some reunions to honor the great Braves teams of the 90s, or Cox’s retirement, or the opening of a new stadium, or the 20th or 25th anniversary of the 1995 World Series championship…. well, I hope we all can cheer these guys one more time and I hope they will be proud to be called Atlanta Braves.
Good luck, Tom…. don’t be bitter, don’t be mad, don’t shun the Braves forever…. and good luck Braves…. you’d better make this look like the right decision! I hope this will work out for everyone…. but only time will tell.
Mark
June 5th, 2009
2:14 pm
I am glad Glavine spoke out. I was 100% behind the Braves cutting him and I am even more supportive now (110%+). Glavine is a classic (classless) case of a greedy, self-centered athlete.
I hope the unemployment office is not more than a 90 minute drive for him.
Scott Anderson
June 5th, 2009
2:16 pm
Glavine is another one of the spoiled players that thinks he can still play.
Come on man. The guy has pitced 10 years too long and is lucky for that long of a career. When was the last winning season he had with the Braves ? 1999 ?
He has made about 100 million over his time with the Braves. They should have traded him a long time ago. Enough is enough. There are so many more young pictures with good arms that can pitch.
Stop crying Glavine and retire will ya.
Greedy million dollar athletes are something to behold.
Chipper jones should be next to go.
Remember Andrew Jones – another guy that collected millions from the Braves and hardly showed up when needed. Is he still with the Dodgers after they paid him another 20 million ? what the holy geez Louise
GO BRAVES !
chris swiedler
June 5th, 2009
2:17 pm
In baseball, there’s no difference between “financially driven” decisions and “performance driven” ones. Any player’s performance needs to justify its financial cost, and vice-versa. The Braves may or may not have been able to get McClouth without releasing Glavine, but in the end they decided having the money to spend on other players was worth more than having Glavine, and I can’t blame them.
MB is right. Glavine was deluding himself if he thought that his place on the team was guaranteed as long as he came back from rehab able to get Class A hitters out. It depended on his performance relative to the performance of the Braves’ other options. If Glavine had come back faster, and/or with more stuff, and/or if someone else had gotten injured or not worked out, Glavine would be on the team. But our starting pitching is strong due to some good trades, signings, and prospects, and so we don’t need him.
At some level he understands that, I think. He’s a smart guy.
Gumby
June 5th, 2009
2:18 pm
Good job Mark. He left us for the Mets so he doesn’t get points. He got a million dollars to try. It didn’t work. They cut him. Same as any job where you can’t perform. Also same the Galvine comments are the same as any fired ex-employee would make. Get over it folks. It isn’t 1991. That was a long time ago. The Braves are trying to win games not run an aging superstar retirement home.
The Real Gumby
June 5th, 2009
2:18 pm
Gen Burnside was on the wrong side for some Atlanta tastes. Those yankee boys Smoltz and Glavine are not the real heroes. Fans only need remember Blayne Boyer and Rick Camp to find local pitching heroes. Er, wait a minute . . . maybe the yankee boys were pretty good after all. Boyer has been placed on assignment by the Cards.
Tom Glavine’s momma needs to have a talk with her son. Too many pucks to the head as a child.
smitty
June 5th, 2009
2:19 pm
Tom Glavine should just go home and count his money. It’s gotta be rough earning ONLY 1 million dollars to try and make the team
Dawg
June 5th, 2009
2:20 pm
Like the other comment, Glavine took the money and ran (METS) so now he gets what goes around comes around. He leaves a multi-millionaire and I’m suppose to be sad when he pouts, don’t think so. Besides he’s always been an arrogant person outside the lime light and cameras.
Paul Lentz
June 5th, 2009
2:20 pm
Glavine said “certain players deserve to be treated differently”. Whatever dude. I want to see the Braves put the best team out there and win TODAY.
The Braves played it right. If one of our starters had gotten hurt….or…..if Hanson and Medlen werent ready to step in…..then having Glavine has a back-up option was there. However, when none of those things happened, then it was time to let the “insurance policy” lapse (Tom Glavine). After last year’s debacle that was called our starting pitching……I applaud the Braves for “hedging their bets”.
Because of the Braves need for OFFENSE, throwing money at Tom Glavine, when we do not need starting pitching, is foolish and shows a weak minded approach to caving in to sentimental fans. Braves management do not owe you “anything”. The fans (paying customers who either pay by buying a ticket…or..who “pay” by watching the commercials during telecasts..or..as in my case, pay for the MLB Extra Innings package. I paid $179 for a full season so I could watch EVERY Braves game. I didnt pay that kind of money to watch the Braves not make every effort to put the BEST team they can out there.
Glavine, the Braves owe it to fans like ME, to put the best team out there. They dont owe anything to you. Catering to you, in fact, lessens the return on my investment (enjoying the best product the Braves can put out there). I appreciate what you did for the Braves in the past. You were compensated handsomely in the past for it. However, your accomplishments were in the PAST. I’m paying to watch the Braves of TODAY put the best product out there. I want to see Tommy Hanson pitch in the 5th spot of the rotation (not because I like him personally….not because I have anything against you……but because I want to see the better pitcher TODAY help the Braves win).
Thank you Frank Wren for having the courage to do the right things for the Braves team. Now if you can muster up the courage to cut loose of Jeff Franceour, then the Braves will truly be putting forth the best lineup they can (playing Franceour in right field while keeping Matt Diaz on the bench does not give the Braves the best chance to win right now). Again, I’m not saying that Matt Diaz is the “answer”. I’m saying that as the roster is set now, Jeff Franceour is a big time liability at the plate. We need to put him behind us and move on.
DannyX
June 5th, 2009
2:22 pm
Well the post I made ranting about the spoiled brat was eaten up by this horrible blog software thats lucky to post one out of two posts, so I’ll just go for the 1 minute version.
It used to be a player of Tom’s stature would retire gracefully instead of trying to wring out the last dime he could.
Kitty Conrad
June 5th, 2009
2:22 pm
Glavine: you made a zillion dollars pitching a baseball during the same time most Americans made less than one million, and now you’re pissed because you weren’t fired in a special way? Grow up, kid. You don’t deserve any more than any other spoiled baseball player. I remember when you were quoted in this very newspaper that you had no idea who Warren Spahn was.
Pete
June 5th, 2009
2:25 pm
braves70: “What did Tom Glavine say that was incorrect? That the Braves lied? They did”
Loyalty runs both ways, and Glavine most definitely turned his back on the Braves 6 years ago for a relatively modest pay difference. After he left, he lied about John Schuerholz not returning phone calls during negotiations. So JS took the unprecedented step of calling a news conference with Stan Kasten to dispute Glavine’s lies, even bringing his cell phone records to prove it was Glavine’s agent who didnt return the calls.
In JS book “Built to Win” (great book), Stan Kasten states he ran into Glavine at a Hawks game, and Glavine asked why they embarrassed him with that news conference. Kasten replied it was because Glavine lied about him and the Braves, and Kasten would not stand for it.
Go do some homework and get the facts.
Reality Time
June 5th, 2009
2:27 pm
Braves 70: I love the way people make statements about things of which they know so little. Number 1, you cannot know what the Braves knew when they signed the contract with Tom Glavine other than they were willing to pay $1 million to rehab his arm and try to make the team. The roster bonus indicates that everyone knew there was the possibility that Glavine would not make it back, that is why the contract was structured as it was. The more he pitched, the more he made. If he didn’t pitch, he still got the $1 million. Sounds fair to me.
In your other statement I assume that you mean the Braves were not “respectful” of players who had been a part of their success. As to David Justice, I am confused, I thought everyone was saying that the Braves won the World Series because of Glavine, now its Justice. David Justice was not happy in Atlanta. He made that clear. He was traded. Stuff happens. Ron Gant violated a provision of his contract with the Atlanta Braves when he chose to ride a motorcycle. He got paid anyway. Who was not respectful to who?
As to Maddux, his contract ran its course. Neither party was obligated to enter into another contract. Being fired is being term before your specified term of employment ends. That did not happen. The Braves made a decision that Maddux no longer possessed the skills that they required at that time. Are you saying that because someone at one time had a contract with the Braves, the Braves have to keep resigning them until the player leaves or dies of old age?
This is a business. Tom Glavine said when he left for the Mets that “This is business, I am doing this for my family.” The Braves showed him any respect due him by signing him for $8,000,000.00 last year, for which they got no return. This is business, Frank Wren is doing this for the team and the other players on it. Get over it.
Russ
June 5th, 2009
2:28 pm
It’s a shame that the AJC didn’t hire Frank Wren and the rest of that executive committee? Maybe he could have gotten get rid of all of the lousy, unproductive columnists like Bradley, Cynthia Tucker, and Terence Moore years ago.
Pete
June 5th, 2009
2:30 pm
braves70: “Ron Gant provided years of great service and was dumped when he got injured on that motorcycle”
Are you kidding me? Dumped rightfully so, as it was a clear breach of his contract. What good is a baseball player with a broken leg? Can you imagine what Gant and the union would have done had the Braves violated that contract? Cmon man
Billy
June 5th, 2009
2:30 pm
Don’t go away mad, Tom. Just go away.
Pete
June 5th, 2009
2:31 pm
ESPN just reported Braves looking at Brad Penney from Red Sox; no other details.
unweaned lil pup
June 5th, 2009
2:32 pm
Big Muddy … I hear you !!! … but Tommy has sacrificed too.
Didn’t you hear that he had to drive almost an hour and a
half to get to Rome just the other day?
BringOnHanson
June 5th, 2009
2:39 pm
It has been noted that Atlanta may wait and see what Nate McLouth does before making any more outfield moves. That is likely so. IF the Braves do determine that they need more punch from their outfield- which I think they will- I can see them looking in two different directions. ESPN’s Rob Neyer says that he could see Atlanta talking to the Colorado Rockies about Ryan Spilborghs (.328 OBP, .263 AVG, 5 HR, 25 RBI). I also read on FoxSports.com that Atlanta had talked to the Florida Marlins about Cody Ross (.309 OBP, .259 AVG, 8 HR, 33 RBI). Spilborghs is now the Rox fifth outfielder. Atlanta was said to have talked to the Fish about Ross, but Florda called it off. Florida is now said to be willing to listen. I think that Ross may have been a discussion prior to McLouth because the Marlins were said to be interested in young pitching. Spilborghs may be a name to watch as the season wears on. Both these teams, however, would likely want young prospects and I don’t think either of these two players make the kind of impact that would dictate trading above average prospects for. The Braves will likely dangle established veterans when and if they make another trade for a bat.
Dave In Tampa
June 5th, 2009
2:40 pm
Should the Braves have signed up Glavine this past year? NO. However, they did and created an atmosphere that was assumed that Glavine was going to have a chance to rehab and earn his spot back. He did all that was told of him and a few days before being lead to believe that he was going to be called up, they let him go. That my friends shows a lack of class on the Braves Executives part. This has nothing to do with if he was going to be able to help or not. It is all about the way they handled it. Why let anyone believe that they would be with the main club in under a week adn turn around and cut him. Sorry, Piss poor treatment. Like him or not Tom Glavine deserves better than that.
I hope he gets on with a club where he can pitch agaisnt the Braves and throw a one hit shut-out winning 1-0. Sorry MB you are off the “Mark” on this one.
Robert
June 5th, 2009
2:40 pm
If it was just Glavine calling the Braves liars – but it isnt
In the past few months alone Furcal, Smoltz, and Glavine have all basically said the franchise mouthpieces lie – are all those players mean nasty and evil? or are they RIGHT
Methinks the latter
Braves have become one of the most classless organizations in pro sports
braves70
June 5th, 2009
2:41 pm
Thanks Pete. I know the facts as I have followed the Braves now for 39 years. I know what a mess they have been. I know how they dissed Phil Niekro in not letting him finish out here and how Ted stepped in and brought him back for one final game. I know that Glavine and Justice provided us with that 1-0 win in 95. I know that that the Braves have many shortsighted fans like you who do not acknowledge the real facts. Dream on my friend and watch this team fail year after year as it has since 1966 except for 1995 when we had guys named Justice and Glavine.
Philly Fan 56
June 5th, 2009
2:42 pm
Atlanta “fans” deserve your reputation. Look at how you treat one of the greatest players in your team’s history. Some of you are still holding grudges from years past even though he came back home on the cheap. Maybe the fans in Miami are worse, but you Atlanta fans have to be the worst in the country. Loserville indeed!