Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Classless! Braves Release Glavine

((HT: AJC/Christian Boone))

Tom Glavine, the winning pitcher in the game that clinched the Atlanta Braves’ only World Series championship, was released Wednesday, FoxSports.com and ESPN.com are reporting.

National baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, citing major league sources, said the team told Glavine he was being let go because his velocity is down. Glavine was throwing only 76-78 miles per hour in spring training but in recent starts had increased that to 83-86 miles per hour.

The Braves’ rotation was getting crowded, with prized prospects Kris Medlen and Tommy Hanson seemingly ready to join a staff that’s been one of the National League’s best over the season’s first quarter.

Glavine returned to the Braves in 2008 after a stint with the New York Mets. His return season was cut short by injury, and he underwent minor elbow and shoulder surgeries during the offseason. He did not appear in a single game for the Braves this season.

Rosenthal has the salary figures for Glavine as the following:
Glavine was to be paid $1 million for his first day on the active roster, $1.25 million for 30 days on the roster and another $1.25 million for 90 days on the roster, bringing the total possible value of the deal to $4.5 million.
In a text message Wednesday night Glavine said: “I am surprised and disappointed. I’m ready to pitch.”

In a prepared statement general manager Frank Wren said: “We appreciate and respect everything Tom has done for and brought to the Atlanta Braves organization and our fans. 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 best.”
Here's coverage from our friends at Fox5 Atlanta and FOSG Buck Lanford

No comments: