Braves release 305-game winner Glavine
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 | 9:10 PM ET
CBC Sports
Tom Glavine helped the Atlanta Braves capture the World Series in 1995. (John Bazemore/Associated Press)The Atlanta Braves made a surprise move Wednesday, releasing 305-game winner and long-time team pitcher Tom Glavine.
Glavine's release comes at a time when the veteran hurler appeared ready to return to the major leagues.
The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer is returning from shoulder and elbow surgery. Glavine threw six scoreless innings for class-A Rome on Tuesday night and said he was ready to rejoin the Braves.
"We appreciate and respect everything Tom has done for and brought to the Atlanta Braves organization and our fans," general manager Frank Wren said in a statement.
"His accomplishments for our club during his Hall of Fame career is a measure of his dedication that we will always respect and admire. We wish him nothing but the very best."
Team spokesman Brad Hainje said Glavine left Turner Field after meeting with Atlanta officials.
Wren said the decision to let Glavine go has nothing to do with the Braves owing the Massachusetts native a $1-million-US bonus if he were placed on the major league roster.
The Atlanta GM felt the team would be better served going with a younger pitcher.
"This was not a business decision," Wren said. "This was a performance decision."
The Braves will call up top prospect Tommy Hanson for a start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
"We gave [Glavine] the option, 'If you want to retire, you can retire as a Brave,"' Wren said. "He asked us to release him."
Glavine, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was one of the winningest pitchers in the National League during the 1990s and is a five-time 20-game winner.
He is also the fifth left-hander to earn 300 major-league victories, while ranking 21st on the all-time list.
Fellow lefty Randy Johnson is one win from the 300-win plateau.
Glavine spent 15 seasons with the Braves and helped the team to the World Series title in 1995. After the 2002 season, Glavine played four seasons with the New York Mets, earning win No. 300 on Aug. 5, 2007, against the Chicago Cubs.
Glavine made his return to Atlanta by signing a one-year deal in 2008, wanting to close out his career with the team he began with in 1987.
In February, Glavine signed a $3.5-million deal with the Braves, included $1-million bonus if he were put on the active roster. He would've also receive an additional $1.25 million each for staying 30 and 90 days, respectively, on the active roster.
With files from The Associated Press
