When the Braves traded the likes of Jason Heyward, Evan Gattis and Justin Upton this offseason, Braves legend Tom Glavine confessed it was a bit hard to keep track of the changes to his old club’s roster. But, as the Braves begin spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Glavine struck an optimistic tone for the season ahead.
“I’m excited about what they’re going to be,” Glavine said. “I think they’re a team that’s going to have to go out there and they’re going to have to scratch and claw and do a lot of the little things that, quite honestly, they didn’t rely on much the last couple years. So I think it’ll be a different brand of baseball. It’ll be fun to watch, and I think they have enough pitching that they’re going to be competitive.”
Glavine spent his Thursday evening at the Fox Theatre’s Egyptian Ballroom, where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Atlanta Sports Council at its 10th annual Atlanta Sports Awards program.
While acknowledging the impact the roster flush has had on fans, Glavine said it was necessary.
“I think anybody’ll tell you that the minor-league system needed a little bit of an overhaul, and they’ve done that,” Glavine said.
Glavine joined an elite list of Atlanta sports icons who have received the lifetime achievement award. Past winners include Hank Aaron, Vince Dooley, Billy Payne, Ted Turner, Tom Cousins and Bobby Cox. Glavine was hailed not only for his baseball Hall of Fame career, but also his fundraising work on behalf of the Georgia Transplant Foundation and CURE Childhood Cancer.
“It’s humbling,” Glavine said. “Anytime you get recognized for anything, obviously it’s a big deal and certainly for a lifetime achievement award, it’s a big deal. … I’m joining some good company.”
Hawks co-owner and CEO Steve Koonin, Falcons coach Dan Quinn and Falcons great Tommy Nobis were among those in attendance.
Former Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley received the Community Spirit Award. Conley, who led the Bulldogs this past season in touchdown receptions and receiving yards, was honored for his community service, including his participation in a UGA program promoting leadership, anti-bullying, respect for authority and the value of sports participation at Athens and metro Atlanta elementary schools.
Conley became the first collegian to win the award. Conley recently was hailed for an open letter he wrote to Bulldogs fans thanking them for their support. Conley said he has received a resounding response from fans thanking him for his example.
“It’s encouraging to me to know that people noticed those things,” he said. “It lets everyone know that someone’s always watching you. You’re not just doing things making decisions just for yourself.”
Conley provided the laugh of the night. In his acceptance speech, Conley said that he would always consider Atlanta and Georgia home, no matter where he went in the NFL draft. He added that it could be Atlanta, pausing before addressing Quinn in the audience.
“Coach Quinn, I am fast and physical,” he said, using a phrase Quinn has used to describe his vision for his team.
Other winners Thursday included Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson (coach of the year), Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (professional athlete of the year), former Kennesaw State baseball player Max Pentecost (collegiate athlete of the year), former Sprayberry High baseball player Michael Chavis (high school athlete of the year) and the Kennesaw State baseball team (team of the year).
