AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > November > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGlavine greater than sum of his parts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
There’s more to Tom Glavine than a left arm, not that that should come as a surprise to anybody who knows him. It came through in the news conference the other day reintroducing him to an audience with whom he was already familiar. What he did was something I’ve never heard any baseball player do before. He said he wasn’t sure he was worth what the New York Mets were offering.
His projected salary, I should say. It was there. All he had to do was take it, a $13 million option to pitch another season on Long Island.
“I wasn’t sure I was worth 13 million,” Glavine said. “I’m not a No. 1 starter any more. I didn’t have the feeling that I could go out and pitch like a $13 million guy anymore.”
This is utter violation of the athlete’s code. You don’t get such honesty in this day and age of the agent and his pawn. What Glavine was saying, as he took his vows with the Braves again, was that “if it meant going back to New York, I don’t think I’d have pitched again. That would have been it.”
So in the end it was take a $5 million cut in pay to live and pitch where his home and heart are. You never felt that deep down inside he was a real Met. Look at the record. He had two losing seasons before finally breaking even, a man with his job one place and his heart in another, flying family to and fro to have a few hours together.
Glavine hadn’t wanted to leave, but with the Mets’ offer of three years at $10 million a season, he gave the Braves a chance to match it. There was no response. John Schuerholz turned a deaf ear. (Too much shouldn’t be made of Frank Wren’s ascension and the change in general managers, since this is his regime and Schuerholz’s absence at the head table was noticeable. There was a heart-rending reason. Schuerholz’s mother had died that morning.)
What it was like for Glavine in New York was, as he put it, “hard to describe. I still lived here. Our home is here. It was two worlds, one family. It has been a juggling act.”
He had five days after the season ended to declare himself, if he wanted to continue as a Met. “Five days were not enough for me to make up my mind, so I opted out,” he said.
Now there are doubters that Glavine is the answer to what the Braves need, though once pitcher-poor, they now look pitcher-rich with John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, the probability of Mike Hampton’s return, Glavine, and in the deep shadows, Chuck James. When Damian Moss was having the best season of his life here, Glavine was an instrumental factor. He could be of the same tutorial value to James, a sort of carbon copy of Glavine’s style.
I put nothing into Glavine’s rocky wind-up in New York: three blown starts, including one tormented one. His mind was at work on other matters. He knew he was pitching his way out of a Mets uniform, and his head was getting mixed signals.
Now all the disturbing doubts are gone, and here is a man with a freedom of mind. He’s home again. He drives to Turner Field to an old familiar parking space. Walks into home, not the visitors clubhouse, greets old pals and familiar faces. That should add years to his happiness and his ERA.
Yes, the contract is only for one year. With Glavine’s well-ordered lifestyle, his deep faith, and the ease with which he delivers his 82-mph fastball, change of pace and slider, his trim body should be good for two or three more seasons.
Home again. There’s nothing like being home again.
Permalink | Comments (74) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Furman Bisher
Comments
By Bob
November 20, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
I still wear my #47 T-shirt to all Braves games. He’s been my favorite since he signed my glove at a Cardnial’s game right after the all-star break in 1990. Remember the run that started after that? Glad to have him back and worth the $$. Show me another established pitcher we could get for $8 mil that can chew up innings and has a excellent shot at 15 wins? Just hope Hampton is legit this time.
By DTM
November 20, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
Amen Furman. I have a feeling he’ll have a positive outcome, whether as a #3 or 4 starter.
By scott
November 20, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
welcome back champ is all i want to say . glavin will always be a brave
By Capt. Caveman
November 20, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Strange that with all of this change, it still feels the same. Braves are in the zone now with the rotation - I feel a division title coming back to A-town.
By cwartillery
November 20, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
It should be good for both him and the Braves. As our #4 starter, if we can get 13 wins from him like he got last year it will be great. Plus he pitches a lot of innings which will save the bullpen. And he can teach people that don’t throw 95 miles an hour how to win. Very valuable.
By Rasual Betan
November 20, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
Furman Bisher? What sort of name is that? Fact is the Braves are mediocre, the Mets are better and always will be. With all the division championships the drunkard Cox won, he only won one world series- and the Braves as a franchise have won less than the Mets. so bring back the mediocre Glavine. So what. Scheurholtz, Bisher and Cox are all mediocre racists who deserve each other. Go Mets and never forget the North always beats the South. Now go choke on the Confederate flag.
By Garry
November 20, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
Rasual Betan…you’ve disgraced yourself. Furman Bisher has always been sagacious in his examination of sports. He brings perspective and class…and to paraphrase a great man, Furman Bisher (and Cox and JS) judges no athlete or coach by the color of their skin, but instead by the quality of their glove, their quickness in the cross over step, and the swing of their bat. You digrace yourself Sir.
By Steve Avery
November 20, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
How to respond to such a ridiculous post by Rasual Betan? I would take a hard look at this Mets season (actually the last two) before I started alluding to any underachieving. The Mets put together the biggest choke in recent memory this year. I also love your use of the world mediocre. If Glavine was mediocre, I doubt you’d care enough about his departure to come onto a Braves website to whine about it. The fact is that the Mets pitching staff took a hit when Glavine left. The racist comment isn’t worth even responding to, since it’s so absolutely ridiculous. We’ll see what happens in 2008 with the Braves and Mets. I can’t wait to see the best team money can buy choke once again.
By Rasual Betan
November 20, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Steve Avery? The same Steve Avery who was supposed to be some sort of superstar but the just fizzled. Talk about mediocrity. Hey don’t hate- I was just telling the truth. You all are racists, live with it and move on.
By chipdip
November 20, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
rasual betan loves a good cleveland steamer every now and then.
By Rasual Betan
November 20, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
God I hate Atlanta- I mean Caucasian Atlanta anyway. Babyface is pretty cool. But on the whole, Atlanta in particular and Georgia is general is just another hateful place filled with hateful racist crackers. Whatever happened to John Rocker anyaway? And Bobby Cox? Doesn’t he have several DUI convictions? Isn’t this the same Cox who never ammounted to anything while he was playing for the Yankees. I just want you to know all you Brave fans, that you are nothing and your team is nothing. And Glavine- a once great pitcher now rendered old and useless, he choked in his last game for the Mets so go riddance.
By Rasual Betan
November 20, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Last word on this you great southern behinds: Last year, when Glavine, the choke artist, won his 300 game in * a mets uniform*, the Braves, led by the bush league Cox and Schuerholtz (the king of the mediocres) put a half page ad in the New York Daily News congratulating the full of himself Glavine for winning 240 odd games in an Atlanta uniform. Wow. Talk about Bush leagues. The Braves never mentioned the Yankees. Obvioulsy by doing this, in a well-read New York newspaper, they were tweaking Mets fans. Well this is my revenge. Everyday, I will come back, using whatever name and I will render this forum useless. I will obligate all you idiots to deal with me. Whatver. My team has a better history than yours. And Jeff Francouer, please. Stop mugging for the camera mediocre. Hey Furman Bisher- what do you really think of people of color? Seriously.
By Glenn
November 20, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
You little Rascal Beater…go back to sleep.Glavine is a great pick up and if all the stars line up maybe will be back.
By DTM
November 20, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Rasual Betan What sort of name is that? A lot of us down here are northern transplants, you fuzzy little foreigner! The subject at hand was about Glavine and we realize he’s not what he was 20 years ago, but we’re saying we’ll take that for 5 million less than your management offered him. (Gee, what a front office you have there! LOL)
By A Female with a Question
November 20, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Why are you at AJC allowing this Rasual Betan to contaminate the blog of one of the only respectable AJC sports writers? At first I thought it was Carter Strickland under a pen name, but then I remembered that he is trying to be more civilized this season. I am very sorry for Mr. Bisher, who I still respect more than any other past or present AJC sports writer - that he has to be subject to these rude, crude, and very sociably unacceptable comments.
By Dan in NJ
November 20, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Glad to have Tommy back. Short term-maybe 11 or 12 wins will be just fine. Also gives alot of innings. Long term-why not give McDowell the boot in’09 and offer Tommy the pitching coach job? A future HOF’er will be just what this staff will need to work with the young arms.
By ron neale
November 20, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Mr. Betan
Its not about how much money you spend on players but how they play the game of baseball. An sir I take offence to your slander of the people of the south and the confederate battle flag, you sir need a real history lesson! I guess you think they took the confederate flag off the capitol building in south carolina? wrong! the state flag still flies atop the capitol building in south carolina, that sir IS a confederate flag! Or do you even know how many confederate national flags there are? Like one gentleman said to respond is probable useless but I could not let this pass. My two cents! GO BRAVES
By stew
November 20, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
I feel that Glavine will do well during the regular season and help us win the division. I have doubts about the post season however. I don’t want him pitching in a big spot. I’m not counting on Hampton or James to be in the rotation. I believe the rotation should be Smoltz, Huddy, Jurrjens, Glavine, and Bennett. If no one is interested in Andruw, why can’t we bring him back for bargain basement prices. Schafer could be the answer or he could fall on his face.
By Psychlogist
November 20, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
You guys/girls at AJC really need to find out who this wierd Rasual rascal is and contact the ATL Police. He’s making threats and sounds silly enough to intimidate your blogs and responders. I know you probably already have your guys after him, and by now have probably located him. Little does know about modern technology. He is suffering from an inflated ego. Furman, I’m so sorry someone like this “Rasual” has littered your blog.
By TJ
November 20, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry about all those “haters”. Just put them all in a corner and ignore them. Don’t stoop to their level.
And as for Tom Glavine, all I have to say is, “Welcome home, Tommy. Welcome home!”
By bruce
November 20, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
I hope that very soon that the posts by RB will be deleted and he is blocked from all AJC blogs.
By Paul Lentz
November 20, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Rasual Betan, since you wish to crack on the personal misdeeds of Braves personnel, I wish to remind you that Keith Hernandez (who snorted several miles worth of cocaine in the early 80’s in the infamous coke scandal), Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry (who smoked enough crack to finance the Iraqi war), Wally Backman (who beat his wife and didnt pay his taxes), Lenny Dykstra (steroid injector), etc. all played for your “enlighten, progressive” Mets.
Point is, sports teams should not be compared with church choirs. Before you dump on “the south”, examine your own backyard.
By Seunghan Nam
November 20, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
I used to hate you, Tommy, when you left Braves. But now that I see you took the pain cut, you proved how sincere you are. I will watch Braves from again, here in NY.
By Chris B
November 20, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
It seems as though Rasual doesn’t know NY history or is too backwards to admit the truth. During the Civil War, New York tried to succeed from the Union and had several draft riots to protest the war. New York was also a hotbed of Confederate spies and home to many Northern slaveholders. As for the Choke Champion Mets, they just suck, plain and simple.
By UGAdawg
November 20, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
Rasual is, well, not very intelligent. First of all, Atlanta is the black capital of the country, everyone here knows that. And second, this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. That means we are ONE COUNTRY. The Civil War was 100 years ago, so stop living in the PAST!!
By Paul
November 20, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Guys, Tom Glavine is a traitor. He left for the enemy without regard to us. If Johnny Damon wanted to resign with the Red Sox would the fans welcome him back with open arms. I now see why we are nationally seen as a sorry fan base. If we don’t hate Glavine for leaving to a division rival for slightly more money and a couple of perks, then we simply do not deserve the type of team that is gutty enough to win a World Series.
By Paul
November 20, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Guys, Tom Glavine is a traitor. He left for the enemy without regard to us. If Johnny Damon wanted to resign with the Red Sox would the fans welcome him back with open arms? Would Washington taken back Benedict Arnold? I now see why we are nationally seen as a sorry fan base. If we don’t hate Glavine for leaving to a division rival for slightly more money and a couple of perks, then we simply do not deserve the type of team that is gutty enough to win a World Series. D@mn, I really wanted another too.
By TRS
November 21, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
To RB, if you hate Atlanta so much, LEAVE.
By dr soul
November 21, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
Rasual Betan…you sound so much like John Rocker, one must only conclude that you are ‘mental twins’..you racist b*******..!!!
By D.J.
November 21, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this
Nice article…one problem: Glavine earned 3 million by declining his option to return to the Mets, so he is essentially earning 11 million to return to Atlanta.
By Eric
November 21, 2007 6:13 AM | Link to this
D.J., that was what I was going to bring up as well. He didn’t take a $5 million cut with the Mets payoff.
As for Paul, Glavine is a traitor? What are you, five? Professional sports is a business where adults play children’s games. It doesn’t offend me if he left. As a Mets fan of nearly three decades, I was glad that he played for the team, but it seemed as though Glavine should have always played for the Braves.
By BOSTON BRAVES
November 21, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this
Not only is Glavine going to help with James, pitch at least 200 innings and will win 12-13 games, but he will be taken away “wins” from the Mets by not being there. Anyone who has a problem with Glavine being here as a 3rd or 4th starter for 8 milllion (plus his opt out $) should stick with watching the new TBS TV lineup.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
November 21, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this
Rasual: My team has a better history than your team!! Nuh-uh! Nuh-uh! You’re the racist! Stupid-head! I’m telling mom!
By mark
November 21, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this
I like this Coloumn because everyone is so nice and positive.Clavine im sure is going to win 13-15 games this season with maybe a ERA in the 4 s but thats not too bad.Too bad ole Doggie can’t get home.
By Andy
November 21, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this
Hey Rasual Betan, The finishing order for ‘08 will be. 1. Braves 2. Phillies 3.Amazingly dysfunctional Mets.
Enjoy ‘08 Rasual.
By lin
November 21, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
hey best way ditch this met person is not to make comments your just keeping the fuel lit. person got nothing to do with their time then try bug us. im from north been here south awhile mets are not worth arguing over. take that from former ny person. its a game of fun for people watch but some people take it too personal.
By 2Homo Boys
November 21, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
Rasual Betan,you are an idiot.if the Muts are so good of a team why did they choke last year.in fact Omar Minaya knows the Muts sucks,if they are so good why can’t he get a descent starting pitcher.The no good Muts can’t get a descent starting pitcher.noone wants to play in that cess pool you call New York,Atlanta is the best,we always have been.we have a better gay community than New york will ever have.the night life here is much better than New york. if New york is so great why did both the Muts and the Yankees both choke last year.it even cost Torre his job.so you bumbling idiot get your facts togther and stay out of Mr Bisher’s blog.What you need Rasual Betan is to come on over to our side and join the Gay community and have some fun and get out of that cess pool you call New York.
By charles
November 21, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
Rasual Baten= “Racial Baiting” Stop falling into this guys trap.
Furman, good article, Glavine is certainly a hometown favorite and the bad blood generated when he left for New York has certainly subsided. Overall, Glavine is a shell of his former self but if he can give us 200 innings of League average ERA we’re in good shape. It should be pointed out though that Glavine got a $3 million buyout from New York so he really only lost $2 mill from signing with the Braves over the Mets. Small price to pay to live with your family when you already have more money than you’d ever need. Glad to have him, but let’s not build this “sacrifice” up too much
By loafer
November 21, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
I will continue to boo glavine. he left us for greener pastures and found out that the grass (or in this case the money) isn’t everything. He showed no loyalty and either will I. I hope glavine loses his first three games and gets booed off the mound like he did in NY.
By Player to be named
November 21, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Rasual Betan: A) Will not read this blog again. He just posted that to get everyone mad
B) Calls Glavine mediocre but doesn’t realize that he’s our number 3 or 4 starter and was the Mets’ ace
C) Forgets that his team just pulled a massive choke
D) Like most Mets fans has some inferiority issues
E) Obviously knows nothing about sports writing, because Mr. Bisher has been well known and well respected for decades
By Marty
November 21, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Great article, Mr. Bisher.
To the idiot Mets fan — the Atlanta area is full of two things: (1) transplants from the north, and (2) Black folks.
Oh, and in the “always” of which you speak, you must have been forgetting the years of 1991 to 2005…and 2008, of course.
By ssidawg
November 21, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
Furman~thanks for a nice article. Tom Glavine is my all-time favorite baseball player and I’m so happy he’s back in a Braves uniform!
By steve79
November 21, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
WOW! A player with class and character. Glavine is a welcome re-addition to the Braves. Maybe Mr. Blank and the Falcons should have their management and coaches study the Schuerholtz, Wren, Cox method of leading a team. Couldn’t hurt!
By Alice
November 21, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Several years ago a friend gave me a Tommy Glavine #47 T-shirt for Christmas. It’s hasn’t gotten much wear the past 2 or 3 years. Now I can proudly start wearing it again. HOORAY!!
By The Truth
November 21, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
Just wanted to say welcome back Tommy, glad to have ya. Mr Bisher, well done as usual. As for Tommy’s return and our stance regarding his leaving for the Mets: A fan wrote earlier questioning whether the Red Sox would welcome Damon back, with it implied that the answer would be a resounding no. I would agree with that. But this, gentlemen and ladies, is certainly not Boston. This is Atlanta, capital of the South, and we do things different down here. We’re not gonna get into a tiz over something that happened way back when. Our friend has come home, and from his own mouth says how glad he is to be back here. That’s enough of an ‘apology’ for me, not that I ever needed one from a man only trying to make the most money he can for his family, same as any of us would. Tommy did alot for us way back when, and we loved him for it. I’m ready to see a if Smoltz, Glavine, Chipper and Bobby can summon up a little bit of that old swagger, get us back where we belong on the top of this division, and teach these younguns how things are done around here. It’s the last charge of the immortals, boys, let’s sit back, get a beer and enjoy it.
By Forrest Gump
November 21, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Glavin will definitely have a positive effect on the Braves. He obviously felt it was worth five million to get out of NY. (Remember battery night?) After their playing days are over, I hope Glavin and Smoltz stay around Atlanta as they are both class guys who will contribute to the community.
By BIG DADDY
November 21, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Ya gotta admit this Noo Yawker (Rascal what’s his name) did get ya going. -:)
As for Atlanta being such a terrible place to live I wonder why a native Bostonian (Glavine) decided to pass up the utopia of Noo Yawk (and the rust belt Nawth) to return to the South to live. With his money he could have moved his family anywhere. I rest my case.
By Mitch
November 21, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
Great article, Mr Fisher, and I wholeheartedly agree. We have to remember, that Tom played for dreadful teams in New York the first two seasons he was there, and just a mediocre one his third year there. When the Mets improved, so did he, going 28-15 over his last two years. I think he was just worn out his last three starts of 2007. Too much may have been asked of him in 2006 and 2007 in New York, with Pedro out for long stretches. Now, he can slide into the number three slot behind Hudson and Smoltz, pitch no more than 200 innings, and, I believe win us 12 to 14 games. I also agree that if he has a good year in 2008, next year will not be his last year. If he’s solid, Tommy may well pitch until 2010, when Smoltz’s contract is up, and then, you might see two of the games greats, retire the same year. I predict that Tommy will win us 11-14 games in 2008, at least , with a four ERA or a bit less. If he does that, and Smoltz and Hudson win 15 to 20 each, the Braves will have a fun summer if Mike Hampton comes back strong.
Mitch
By Mitch
November 21, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Great article, Mr Fisher, and I wholeheartedly agree. We have to remember, that Tom played for dreadful teams in New York the first two seasons he was there, and just a mediocre one his third year there. When the Mets improved, so did he, going 28-15 over his last two years. I think he was just worn out his last three starts of 2007. Too much may have been asked of him in 2006 and 2007 in New York, with Pedro out for long stretches. Now, he can slide into the number three slot behind Hudson and Smoltz, pitch no more than 200 innings, and, I believe win us 12 to 14 games. I also agree that if he has a good year in 2008, next year will not be his last year. If he’s solid, Tommy may well pitch until 2010, when Smoltz’s contract is up, and then, you might see two of the games greats, retire the same year. I predict that Tommy will win us 11-14 games in 2008, at least , with a four ERA or a bit less. If he does that, and Smoltz and Hudson win 15 to 20 each, the Braves will have a fun summer if Mike Hampton comes back strong.
Mitch
By Omar Minaya
November 21, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
I like Glaving but he’s been an average innings eater for three years now, we are shooting to upgrade our pitching staff through a trade. Glavine was not our ace last year, we had three better starterss than he. However, I would like to thank you Braves for your eithteenth overall draft pick and the sandwich first rounder, we should be able to use those to our advantage. Hope you enjoy your year in third place.
By 1eyedJack
November 21, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Hey Omar, what do you need draft picks for? You can sign any Latin player you want without drafting him. That’s what your shooting for isn’t it? An all Latin team? Perfect for NY.
By paul serrano
November 21, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
ny mets fan, glavine was class and we we’re glad to have him - last game stunk, however whole team choked so can hardly blame TG - best of luck at ATL, and thanks for being a stand up guy - paul, NJ
By 2Homo Boys
November 21, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
New York Mets = New york Muts.yes a bunch of dogs and muts on top of it.All New york teams suck too.so Rasual Betan go with the Muts and both of you go f*** youselves.Leave Mt bisher alone.his article is a very good article.better than any of those New York scums.The whole of the Big Apple sucks.So come join us.
By Jack
November 21, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Regarding Tommy as a traitor—I don’t think anyone thinks he wanted to leave; indeed, he seems always to have been the consummate pro in not going public about what is a consensus shafting by the Braves. Recall always the $$ factor after Ted sold the team—the Braves have been quick to axe anyone they deem old or infirm since then. I say, “Welcome home” to Tommy. As to Furman, whom I have been reading since the sixties, he continues to have and deserve all of our respect.
By TransplantedAtlantan
November 21, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, While the “Southern Gentleman” is truly a dying breed and the term “sport fan” and sportsman” are usually oxymorons, you seem to somehow still embrace both of these characteristics as worthy virtues. Thank you.
Thank you as well to Mr. Glavine for returning home. He too has always been a “class act” on and off the field. Somehow TG#47 being a Brave just feels right!
Selah
By Miss Cece
November 21, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
I for one, LOVE TOM GLAVINE. I well remember the old days when the Braves finished at the bottom of the division. Mr. Glavine is one of the main reasons for the Braves’ tremendous success since 1991. Let’s us not forget that Mr. Glavine gave us our one and only world series win by pitching a masterful one-hitter, and that he was the First Atlanta Brave to win a Cy Young award.
Tommy Glavine is one of us and always will be.
WELCOME BACK TOM, WE MISSED YOU!!!!!
By Met Fan
November 21, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Must be nice to get paid $13M, give up 7 runs in 1/3 of an inning in a must-win game, because your “mind is at work on other matter.” Good riddance to a loser. No wonder the Braves won only 1 World Series in 14 years…built for the regular season.
By EastBeast
November 21, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Just start him when the umpires that will give him that 20 inch wide strike zone he’s always needed to succeed and he’ll be fine (9-7). Mr. I don’t sign autogrpahs when I’m preparing to pitch should have stayed in New York with the other rats.
By Atlanta born and raised
November 21, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
Welcome home Tommy G! We missed you. Bit you are happy to get rid of that nasty Mets uniform.
By Steve
November 21, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
I know that Tommy has nostalgic value to braves fans, but he is a shell of the pitcher he was when he left the team. His peripheral stats actually suggest that he should have an era around 5. I find humor in the title of this article, being that tom is greater than the sum of his parts. The 18th pick in the draft would have been greater than the sum of his parts, too bad frank gave that to the mets. It also probably forces reyes and jurrjens out of a shot at the rotation, both of whom would have been better options in terms of actual pitching than tommy. Enjoy the nostalgia kids…..
By jacson
November 21, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Sorry to check in late on the Rascal Betran, or whatever. He sounds like some sort of terrorist named dimwit yankee communist trouble maker that could use a good cane pole thrashing and a little syrup lathering and then placed on a “Southern Fireant Hill” for a couple of days. Mr. Bishop, my apologizes sir for “mr behinds” intended provocation of you and the Great South. As for Tommy, I never liked some of the things he did off the mound, but he was and still is a good pitcher and I expect he`ll carry his load ok this year. I agree with whoever said, “This is a business arrangement” and the Braves got a good bargain and a real chance to get back on top in 2008. Oh yeah, SIGN TEX LONG TERM…..SOMEHOW!!!!
By Dennis
November 21, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
I am always amazed to read comments about Glavine “the traitor”. What sane person wouldn’t take more money in their chosen profession. It happens all the time. Most everyone would take a job in another city for a pay check 25-35 percent higher. I have moved several times for better jobs.
By Common Sense
November 21, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
If the brave are making an attempt to get back on top this year, signing glavine makes perfect sense. Why, however, did the team not seek more major league ready talent for villareal and renteria? If the team is rebuilding, why sign tommy at the expense of a pick? What is the plan for center field? Who is going to back up chipper when he goes on the DL? This move is a nice one to establish a link to the past teams, but that 8 million dollars sure could have been spent more wisely if the team is rebuilding, and if they are not, why look for prospects in trades? Common sense Frank Wren…Common Sense
By BoneCrusher
November 21, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
I am deeply saddened that Tommy “Terrific” Glavine is returning to Atlanta. He was the greediest glutten of a ballplayer that I have ever seen. John Shuerholtz made Glavine a very fair and livable salary when Glavine was here the last time and Tommy betrayed the fans by accepting a salary that was a mere few pennies more than Atlanta’s offer. Tommy sold the Braves out for the Evil Empire and never looked back. Now that Glavine is completely washed up and couldnt pitch himself out of a paper bag, he is now ready to return as the prodigal son to the weak Braves. If the Braves had any guts at all they would have SLAMMED THE DOOR SHUT ON GLAVINE AND MADE IT SO THAT GLAVINE COULD NEVER RETURN! Glavine is a turncoat and a mutt and I will never watch him as long as I live!!!!
By BruceAlmighty
November 21, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
Why the Braves have allowed Glavine to return shows me just how poor their roster is and how they are committed to scraping the cellar floors from here on out. The Braves foolishly have gotten rid of Edgar Renteria, one of their top two hitters and decided not to offer Andrew Jones (a future hall of famer) another contract. Andrew WILL make the hall of fame on his glove alone, since his lifetime .200 batting average will never get him there. The story on Andrew Jones that was so amazing is that although Andrew continually hit well below the Mendoza line, his power numbers were ALWAYS 30 HOMERS AND 100 RBIS which in my mind are hall of fame numbers. So what do the Braves do to replace the loss of Renteria and Andrew Jones, they quickly go out and sign a completely over-the-hill farthammer like Tom Glavine who will never pitch over .500 ball again. The Braves are content with just making money and missing the playoffs so get used to it because it will be a permanent trend from now on.
By Rick Mahler
November 21, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
The only problem is we are back with the same type of pitching staff; no real power pitchers. Great for the 162 game season but hard to win a World Series without power pitching.
By GE
November 21, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
The Braves move is troubling as there is no direction. A few weeks ago, Brave fans were talking about the lack of pitching. Now that Glavine is back, some are saying playoffs. Get real. Glavine will not win even if he does get calls on pitches 6 inches off the plate. I am glad that I have no season tickets to see this lifeless team. Gee, no Druw in center. How depressing.
By RedNeckerson
November 21, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
My hats off to BruceAlmighty. Why would you get rid of two of the BEST and most successful players in all of baseball in Andrew Jones and Edgar Renteria. Edgar Renteria JUST missed the batting title by a few points to his teammate Chipper Jones. Edgar was close to being a batting champion and my question is when was the last time that a batting champion was traded or released? NEVER. It has never happened. I think the Braves are a racist organization for getting rid of two black ball players who are both destined for the hall of fame. The only way that I could stomach the loss of Edgar Renteria and Andrew Jones is if the Braves went out and replaced those two guys with Ken Griffy, Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. Well, that cant happen because Alex is going back to the Yankees and the Braves are too cheap to offer Ken Griffy a decent salary offer. The Braves are going to be like the Falcons; a complete embarrasement to the league.
By RandyB
November 21, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
I gotta say WELCOME HOME Tommy! And this crap of Glavine not being able to help the Braves is bulls**t. Even with a 10 win season that would help the Braves big time, and the help from Glavine in there will help other pitchers too.
By Here We Go Again!
November 21, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
I may not boooo as loud as I did- but he is NOT worth 8 million dollars! Love the Braves but HATE TOM GLAVINE’S GREED!!!
By TomB
November 21, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
Agree with Furman Bisher on Glavine and I’m glad to see him back in a Brave’s uniform. Welcome home Tommy
By BUSHWACKER
November 21, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
I hope that shuts up all the idiots who said he left for more money.
He left the becaus ehis agent failed to let him know the Braves had made another offer until after he agreed on the deal with the METS.
THE GUY IS A CLASS ACT, A HALL OF FAMER , and by the way, THE WORLD SERIES MVP of the only championship the Braves have ever won.
Braves fans booing him would be like the Yankee fans booing Babe Ruth or St Louis booing Bob Gibson, and the Dodger fans booing Sandy Koufax, oh, another by the way, TOMMY has won more games than both thos ehall of famers!!!
By braves fan
November 21, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
when i found out glavine was a brave again it was just awesome !!! glavine smoltz and hampton are gonna make a good top 3
By John and Laura
November 22, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this
WELCOME HOME TOMMY!!!