Glavine release shocks Braves fans

Shockwaves made their way around Turner Field on Wednesday. You couldn’t feel them, but you sure could hear them.

News that the Braves had released veteran pitcher Tom Glavine was met with an audible disbelief by many of those at the ballpark when told of the move.

“I’m kind of shocked,” said Ron Juarez, a Braves fan from Illinois who came to Turner Field for the first time. “I’m a little bit disappointed by it. The history of Tom Glavine and what he’s done for the organization, I’m saddened by it.”

Glavine, a 305-game winner, was hoping to return to the Braves after surgery to repair his elbow and shoulder. He finished a rehab start on Tuesday and declared himself fit to return.

In the Braves clubhouse following a loss to the Chicago Cubs the mood was stunned silence. Players spoke in hushed voices in describing the news.

“It’s something between him and the Braves, but I’m going to miss him,” said Brian McCann, whose locker was next to Glavine’s. “He’s one of my favorite players. He’s a great guy to be around. First class all the way.”

Jeff Francoeur had a chance to speak to Glavine before he left.

“I told him we’re going to miss him,” Francoeur said. “I hope he’s able to throw somewhere because he’s good enough to.”

Still, while many fans were shocked to hear the news and appreciative of Glavine, they were ready to see the next generation of Braves pitchers. The Braves called up Tommy Hanson from Class AAA Gwinnett on Wednesday.

“Glavine is a great pitcher; he’ll go to the Hall of Fame,” said Glenn Gillette of Newnan. “Sometimes it’s time to retire. He’s the real deal. I’ve always loved Tom Glavine, but it’s time. It’s time for the next players. I want to see what Tommy Hanson can do.”

Even those ready to move on wanted to see Glavine one last time.

“I can see that maybe it’s time to move on but he is such a legend,” said Conner Volpe of Atlanta. “I’d love to see him pitch one last game because he deserves it. But they have to do what they have to do.”

Glavine won two Cy Young Awards with the Braves (1991 and 1998) and was a 10-time All-Star. The left-hander returned to the Braves last year after five seasons with the New York Mets.

He went 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 games last season before injury cut short his season — and now maybe his career. Glavine had surgery and worked to return because he said he wanted to leave the game of baseball on his own terms.

“For some of us [the news] was really hard because we knew how hard he had worked to come back,” Francoeur said.