Bradley’s Buzz: Aggrieved Glavine might file grievance
You had to figure this one was coming. According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports, Tom Glavine is considering filing a grievance against the Braves. Rosenthal writes that Gregg Clifton, Glavine’s agent, “has spoken with a labor attorney and the players’ union.”
Which would make some sense, Glavine having been a big union man. (And I say it again: I’ve never begrudged him that, and I’m not sure why so many did. He was standing up for his fellow players, and they were most appreciative.)
Loading ...But, in this case, exactly what would be his grounds? That the Braves deceived him in some way? That they breached his contract? That they were obliged to put him on the 25-man roster? That Frank Wren is just a big ol’ meanie?
Rosenthal: “If history is any indicator, Glavine would not have much of a chance should he file the grievance. Historically, teams have the upper hand in such cases and don’t need a significant performance-based reason to release a player.”
Yesterday John Schuerholz apologized to Glavine for the way things were handled. (Or, depending on your interpretation, mishandled.) Let Glavine file an complaint and we’ll see how much local sympathy he gets. The guess here: None.
Update: Here’s esteemed colleague David O’Brien’s account of Frank Wren’s reaction — or, more precisely, the lack thereof — to a possible Glavine grievance.
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229 comments Add your comment
Reid Adair
June 6th, 2009
8:26 pm
I’m glad to hear Ken Rosenthal say the Braves “…don’t need a significant performance-based reason to release a player” since it was a financial reason and not performance-based.
I’m not sure what will be the reason for the grievance, but I seriously doubt it will be “that Frank Wren is just a big ol’ meanie.”
If Wren had not lied in the end with John Smoltz, and if he hadn’t lied with this, both situations still would have been rough – but at least the organization would be up front with everything.
Reid Adair
June 6th, 2009
8:34 pm
As the Braves trail Milwaukee 1-0 after five innings tonight, they’ve now gone 18 innings without scoring a run. Not one.
I hope Tommy Hanson can hit some solo home runs to help himself out tomorrow. He’s going to need it.
All I'm Saying Is...
June 6th, 2009
8:36 pm
Bradley you are 100% correct! Glavine needs to move on. If he files a grievance, then he not only will lose it but will also lose in the court of public opinion—which is important if he intends to keep on living in this town.
JT
June 6th, 2009
8:39 pm
Tom would be well served to publicly accept the apology, or at a minimum just keep quiet and move on with his life. What speaks volumes about his MLB readiness is the lack of interest in signing him. I am sure that there were team scouts at his minor league appearances and if he had anything in the tank, he would be getting some interest from contenders looking to make a playoff push with a post-season veteran pitcher. Yeah, I get it he may not sign with them, but if there was anything there, teams would come calling nonetheless, in the hopes that he would be looking to prove a point and go out on his terms. Perhaps he will get signed, but unless I have missed it, I have not heard or seen anything about the possibility that he can land with a big league club.
taxman kenneth
June 6th, 2009
8:40 pm
Why don’t Glavine just take his millions and go on home. The time has come for him and Smoltz to quit whining and let the young players see what they can do. The way the braves are playing these anything would be an improvement. Maybe Smoltz can talk the Red Sox into signing Glavine since he thinks they have a gold mine in him. I think they will be fooled. It is time for both Glavine and Smoltz be put out to pasture. I am not saying they would not make good pitching coaches for with the Braves I think anything would be an improvement in both the pitching coach and especially the hitting coach.
24dork
June 6th, 2009
8:42 pm
Bradley, you still suck
24dork
June 6th, 2009
8:43 pm
Enter your comments here
Mark Bradley
June 6th, 2009
8:44 pm
I’m not a lawyer — though I was once accepted to law school — but I don’t see any grounds here. Unless there’s something in the contract that says, “We promise to put you on the 25-man roster and pay you that $1 million bonus — even if we don’t think you can throw hard enough to break Granny’s picture window.”
Jonathan
June 6th, 2009
8:44 pm
Tom Glavine is a pathetic baby…go back to NY Tommy…
You left us years ago for the money and now we don’t want to give you any money, should we have filed a grievance then…
I think not
brent a.
June 6th, 2009
8:45 pm
It now makes more sense as to why Wren would explicitly state that this was not a “business” decision. (His word was “business”, I believe he meant, “financial”, after-all, any decision Wren makes regarding the Braves is a “business” decision, isn’t it?)
Any way, by coming right out and calling it a performance-based decision, Wren gained an early upper-hand in the filing a grievance game.
After-all, if Wren had said, “Well, we would’ve owed Tommy $1 million if we’d put him on the roster, and we needed to make room to add some payroll . . .”, well then, Glavine certainly would’ve had more of a leg to stand on.
Hopefully, Hanson will throw a shut-out tomorrow, so the Braves can use that as evidence in any hearing that may take place.
JEM
June 6th, 2009
8:46 pm
Yeah right, Reid Adair. The Braves financial reasons for dropping Glavine is the whopping amount of $1 million dollars. Glavine needs to just leave it be.
Justafan
June 6th, 2009
8:47 pm
The union has killed the Auto industry. GM is now Govt. Motors instead of general. Dodge has gone south etc. Ford is just staying our of the Govt’s pockets. Major League players making millions for playing a game and who’s paying for that? The Fans!
Does Glavine give a damn, No! because he’s made $289 million from Braves and Union. To He!! with TG, the fans and Braves owe him nothing.
jon
June 6th, 2009
8:49 pm
Smoltz hasn’t pitched an inning for Boston yet. He may be joining Tommy on the greens soon.
Mark Bradley
June 6th, 2009
8:52 pm
I don’t mean to be piling on Glavine — again, he is my all-time favorite Brave as both a player and a guy — but does anybody really believe that a 22-year-old Hanson coming off a full spring training and two months in Class AAA is less apt to “perform” better than a 43-year-old coming off arm surgery and four minor-league rehab starts?
Hanson could get rocked tomorrow. There’s never an assurance in any big-league game. (Zach Greinke hadn’t been touched for a home run all season, but he yielded two in Toronto last night.) But I think Glavine would have gotten rocked tomorrow.
LAC
June 6th, 2009
8:54 pm
NUTS, When you are WASHED UP,it’s over. glavine has always been a whiner
when things do not go “his” way.
Companies don’t need a reason, this is a right to work state, even for baseball players, glavine just go away, you are DONE !
Bo
June 6th, 2009
8:56 pm
Tommy wasn’t whining when he bailed on the Braves to go to the Mets for more money! Hey Tommy, go back to NY, you had a great career going there!
Funny how when the shoe is on the other foot Tommy doesn’t like the BUSINESS. Remember Tommy, they had a better offer on the table for a better player.
Wanna win some games?
June 6th, 2009
8:58 pm
I am a huge Glavine fan, but his bitter betty attitude is chipping away at his off the field image. I wonder who whines more, him or his kids. Hope I am as understanding when it’s Chipper’s time to go though. Love ya Larry!
Sam Everyman, Citizen Journalist
June 6th, 2009
8:59 pm
While he’s at it Tommy should tell his momma. Big crybaby.
Having Ron Gant in the booth is like having Francoeur at bat. Something more is expected.
Chipper got hurt walking to the plate?
patriots75
June 6th, 2009
8:59 pm
Who cares about his grievance, the man all ready recieved a million dollars this year, i would say thats a nice severance pay,how many people who have lost their jobs because of the economy and stupid miss management of the many industry and the banking and financial sector,would be happy to walk away with what Tommy recieved, i watch him pitch from his first year and if his last game was in Rome well i seen the end, he is no where close to the pitcher he was even the start of last year, don’t let his minor league stats fool you, many of the outs were hard hit balls and most of the kids were in awe of the name not the player, believe me major league hitter would light him up,Tommy you had a great career,walk away and enjoy your time with your family.
MK
June 6th, 2009
9:02 pm
Tom just have class and go away…
Jeff
June 6th, 2009
9:04 pm
I’m not a big fan of Glav, but he was completely wronged IMO. This franchise is going downhill, slowly but surely…of course there was no easy way to part with him, but I would have thought Frank would’ve wanted to avoid another Smoltz fiasco.
yankee transplants SUCK
June 6th, 2009
9:05 pm
I’ve been in two unions. I have nothing against unions for the working man. I went from basically poverty to having a livable wage the first time. And believe me, I was working my ass off. My hands were hamburger.
Considering Tom Glavine’s union, I agree they had a right to collect bargaining, but please. This was similar to a SAG strike. Who really cares about millionares bitching about more money? I sure as hell don’t.
The main reason I can’t stand Glavine is his NY Mutt move. Going to a division rival for more $$$, then wanting to be a Brave again. Don’t like it, can’t coach with it, can’t win with it, can’t play with it. Can’t do it.
I admit I never liked his soft pitching, his absolutely GUTLESS approach to pitching. Ever wait to see if he would retaliate for a beaned Brave? I sure did. GUTLESS.
Top that all with being another carpetbagging yankee SOB, and I’m one happy camper to see him twist in the wind.
FU Glavine.
BravesToo
June 6th, 2009
9:09 pm
Can the braves file a grievance for glavine abandoning the team for a few more bucks in New York, where he was a bust, or for leading the players in a strike, costing the team millions?
sup wit dat?
June 6th, 2009
9:09 pm
When Glavine headed the players union during the strike it was all about the business of baseball. This is no different. I like the guy but it’s just business. Stinks to be on the other end of the deal doesn’t it Tommy?
Ex Glavine Fan
June 6th, 2009
9:09 pm
Tom,
Why not file a grievance with the Union like the complete azzhole you are! The Braves have paid you over 100 million DOLLARS during your career. YOU (not them) should have refused the contract they offered you this year knowing it could end like this. Way to FU the ending to a really great career!
This isn’t little league where you can stay in the line up because of WHO you are. You’re dad’s not the coach. This is the real world and here’s some real world advice.
1. STFU!
2. Tell Smoltz to do the same
3. Take your 81 MPH fastball where it belongs- to the batting cages at Wills Park or wherever your boys play.
4. Be a lifetime Brave not Brat and live happily ever after!
Ginger
June 6th, 2009
9:10 pm
The Braves were within their rights not to put Glavine on the 25 man roster….He did not have enough stuff period…..The Braves did not handle things that badly.They could have handled things a bit better by saying to Glavine if the rehab does not work–we will not put you on the roster..Your spot is not guaranteed..Glavine assumed that he would be there and was surprised when he was not..But look how many millions has Glavine made over the years playing baseball, then add endorsements..He has made a very good living and he was an even better pitcher for being on the Braves with Bobby Cox, Leo M.,Maddux, Smoltz etc…So he did very well playing for the Braves all these years and made some more money with the Mets…He has more money than I will ever make..Can buy many things and do many things that most of us can’t. Now the Braves have apologized for not showing at first how much He has meant to them and I sure the Braves will have some type of appreciation for him….So Mr. Glavine just needs to grow up and accept the apology and be gracious…He did very well playing Baseball.
The Dawg
June 6th, 2009
9:11 pm
I have always thought that both Glavine and Smoltz were intelligent, classy guys and an asset to not only the Braves, but to Atlanta. I still feel that way, but making an even bigger issue here would be a mistake in my opinion. People work all their lives, some never making a million dollars in that lifetime. Therefore, people in general have very little sympathy for today’s highly paid athletes. Both of these men have more money than they could probably ever spend. I have even thought that Smoltz would make a great manager someday, and Glavine the same or a front office guy.
So, is this a question of ego and being rejected. If so, that will pass as soon as the reality settles in.
I am appreciative of the great pitching these guys brought to Atlanta. I am also proud of their accomplishments as good citizens as well. I hope Tom Glavine will move on with his life, whatever it holds.
One thing for sure, the press is going to milk this for way too many days. Expect it.
BT
June 6th, 2009
9:12 pm
Glavine is about to lose the 30-50% of the fans “kind of on his side.” To make a point he is about to bury his baseball reputation.
herbK
June 6th, 2009
9:12 pm
glavine & smoltz make me want to puke with their comments. No one with a functioning brain cell cares about the drivel from these mental midgets. They whine about treatment, all the while collecting millions. Same concern for joe-sixpack average fan? Of course not. Both can go to h**l.
TM
June 6th, 2009
9:17 pm
This just proves the point of what a POS Glavine is. I’ve been saying from the time he signed the contract with the Braves in January. His sole focus was getting on the squad (1 million) and staying 30 days (another million, two fitty). While I believe the Braves totally handled this situation poorly, with Glavine even inquiring about the grievance shows what an a-hole he is.
So long Tom, thanks for some good years… it’s time to fade away.
Ginger
June 6th, 2009
9:20 pm
off the subject:
What can we do about our hitting??
New hitting coach? New players? Or both?
We must be able to get more than 2 hits in a game.
ACE OF HEARTS
June 6th, 2009
9:21 pm
Thanks Mark for keeping us updated. The Braves have now not scored in their last 19 innings. Time will only tell if Glavine does decide to pitch with another team how he does. If the Braves felt that he was that far away from helping the team did they expect he would change someones mind with his performance in Rome. The Braves could have made this decision after the his outing with the G-Braves. The Braves could have handled this public relations mess by offering him some type of job in the organization. Roving Minor league pitching instructor. Glavine could have said after his game with the G-Braves that he wasn’t making the progress he wanted and bowed out gracefully. Chipper left the game because of dizziness but the doctors have given him a clean bill of health.
braves70
June 6th, 2009
9:22 pm
Sue em Tommy. I hope you bankrupt this lie spinning franchise until Dodo Wren and Liberty Media are broke. The contract with the player’s union states that no player can be released as a result of cutting costs. The owners signed it. Let em live by it. The Braves stink and so do you putrid so-called fans (and especially one idiotic sports columnist named Bradley).
BT
June 6th, 2009
9:24 pm
Just for my own info: Why would you follow a team that you hate? Why would you read a columnist who you call idiotic?
Inquiring minds …..
Gil In Mechanicsville
June 6th, 2009
9:24 pm
The mistake by the Braves was not in releasing Tommy Glavin, it was trashing him after the fact. Sounds more like a tactic employed by the Red Sox or Yankees than one by the Braves, however, things change. Frank Wren has already demonstrated he can be a stranger to the truth. No wonder he is not saying anything on this.
Many people seem to lose sight of the fact that it is not always what is said but the manner in which it is delivered which sends the strongest message.
As for having a grievance, it is his right to file it, it is up to an arbitrator to decide if it has merit.
Mark Bradley
June 6th, 2009
9:26 pm
Here’s a guess: Glavine will not file the grievance. He’ll think about it, and then he’ll opt to take the high road.
That’s more than a guess, actually. It’s my hope.
Lamar
June 6th, 2009
9:27 pm
The Braves need to use the same excuse and can Cox and Pendleton. They haven’t performed and I don’t think the Braves owe either anything, just like Glavine. It’s just too bad that Glavine gets his walking papers and nobody else does. I’d like to see Ned Yost and Don Baylor back here.
garcia
June 6th, 2009
9:29 pm
The Red Sox had the curse of the Babe. The Cubbies have the curse of the Goat.
Will the Braves have the curse of Glavine? It is never wise to mess with Karma. So far, the early returns don’t look so good. It will take a few decades to answer this question.
I. Keed
June 6th, 2009
9:29 pm
Please release Chipper. It’s for the good of the team!!!
bobblehead
June 6th, 2009
9:32 pm
Mark, I think Tom should move on and let Hanson try, even if he gets rocked. I think Glavine, Smoltz and Avery were rocked a plenty and many of times before they got their act together.
John Michaels
June 6th, 2009
9:32 pm
After consulting with Smoltz Glavine is also planning to file a grievance against Mark Bradley for writing articles he doesn’t like. Be careful Mr. Bradley. We appreciate your comments but Tommy has had a bad week. Don’t make him mad. He’s not use to not having his way
Sid
June 6th, 2009
9:32 pm
As we used to say when we had to play ball in a cow pasture, “The pitcher’s done. Stick a fork in him” !! Give it up Glavine before you lose more respect than you already have.
Shoeless Joe
June 6th, 2009
9:33 pm
We nedd a grownup here in the worst way!
BT
June 6th, 2009
9:33 pm
Mark, he better say that he didn’t tell his agent he was going to file a grievance. This is not looking good in Atlanta.
Abe Lincoln
June 6th, 2009
9:36 pm
Glavine is a whiney, piss-ant baby. He’s always been a whiner and a baby. Go pitch Sally League, Glavine, and give up 7 in the first yet one more time. And this time, apologize to Niekro, you asshole.
RT
June 6th, 2009
9:43 pm
The biggest joke in mlb.
Braves fan since 1966
June 6th, 2009
9:44 pm
Tom,
It’s not because you were the union rep
It’s not because you are a carpetbagger
It’s not because you bolted to the Mets
It’s not because you earn more in interest in one year than a dozen average Braves fans will earn during 50, COMBINED!
It’s because you can no longer compete with the 20 somethings. Welcome to the real world!
Mark Bradley
June 6th, 2009
9:53 pm
Indeed, letting Tom Glavine stay in a game and get pounded on a Monday night in Cincinnati in May 1988 got Chuck Tanner fired.
tashunka
June 6th, 2009
9:53 pm
Tom needs to stand in front of the dugout and shoot Cox the biggest bird ever known. Cox is the worst manager in the history of baseball who was saved by the presence of Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. To to hell Braves
Mike
June 6th, 2009
9:54 pm
What would be his grounds? Are you kidding me? You are a non-biased journalist aren’t you? Damn.