Asked if he thought Tom Glavine would receive a warm ovation before the veteran left-hander's homecoming start Monday, Braves president John Schuerholz was firm in his reply.

"I would hope so," he said. "I think most fans recognize he had a lot to do with us winning those flags up there."

Schuerholz glanced toward the pennants above the left-field pavilion seats, commemorating the Braves' 14 consecutive division titles. He was their general manager throughout that run.

Glavine, 42, was part of 11 of those Braves playoff teams before going to the Mets as a free agent after the 2002 season.

The 300-game winner and two-time Cy Young Award winner was a nine-time All-Star with the Braves and won 20 or more games in five of 15 full seasons with them. Perhaps most memorably, he was MVP of their 1995 World Series triumph.

Jumping to the Braves' rival did not sit well with many Braves fans, and Glavine was booed lustily in his return visits to Turner Field with the Mets during the past five seasons.

But Schuerholz was right: Glavine got just as loud an ovation Monday as Braves icons John Smoltz, Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox when the Braves were introduced individually before the home opener against Pittsburgh.

Schuerholz tried as general manager to sign Glavine after the 2006 season, but said he couldn't clear up enough payroll to make an offer before Glavine needed to tell the Mets if he planned to return to New York.

Glavine returned to New York for the 2007 season, with an option for 2008. After going 13-8 for the Mets last season, the Atlanta-area resident declined the $13 million option and made it clear he hoped to return to the Braves.

GM Frank Wren signed Glavine to a one-year, $8 millon deal on Nov. 19.

"I'm glad he's pitching for us," Schuerholz said. "I'm glad he's back in a Braves uniform and taking the mound for us tonight. Just like before, when he goes to the mound we have a good chance to win."

No platoons ... so far

As expected, left fielder Matt Diaz and second baseman Kelly Johnson were in the lineup Monday against a right-handed pitcher (Pittsburgh's Ian Snell), after being in the lineup Sunday against a lefty (Washington's Odalis Perez).

But it might take more time to alleviate the platoon concerns of some fans.

Despite every indication from Cox this spring that Matt Diaz would get a chance to play every day, some fans of the left fielder still worried Diaz would end up sharing time in another platoon like he was part of the past two seasons.

Same thing for Johnson, who platooned much of last season with Yunel Escobar.

But other than Cox's penchant for platoons in the past, there's been no reason to believe Diaz or Johnson won't be regular starters this season, rather than platoon players. Provided they perform, of course.

Javy throws first pitch

A day after the unveiling of alternate navy-blue jerseys and caps, the Braves had another surprise Monday: Javy Lopez throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the home opener.

The former three-time Braves All-Star catcher was unsuccessful in a comeback attempt this spring with the team. Lopez, 37, retired after being dropped from the camp roster on March 25.

Roles were reversed Monday as Smoltz went behind the plate and caught Lopez's throw. The two of them embraced and Lopez waved to his many cheering fans.

Tribute to Beauchamp

The Braves are paying tribute to the late Jim Beauchamp by wearing a patch with "Beach" on the left sleeves of their jerseys this season.

Beauchamp, a former major league player and longtime Braves coach and minor league instructor, died Christmas after a long battle with leukemia.