McGwire’s Rebirth, Cox’s Farewell

After what I sincerely hope is Mark McGwire’s last formal apology for using performance enhancing drugs during his playing career, the new St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach was ready to get down to business in Jupiter, Florida.

McGwire spent some time in the batting cage with hitters this afternoon before answering reporters’ tired questions regarding his past. Though he knows his mistakes may never be forgotten, he made a point to say that he hopes the issues subside soon.

Speaking of old folks and Spring Training, Bobby Cox is staring down the beginning of the end.

Continue reading this story at SportsUntapped.

So Long, Tom Glavine

The Atlanta Braves, in an attempt to make themselves seem younger, released 305-game winner Tom Glavine this afternoon.

After undergoing surgery to repair his shoulder and elbow, the aging lefty semi-triumphantly returned to the team he spent the first 16 seasons of his career with (1987-2002) before dating the Mets for five years and then deciding he missed his old flame.

So, am I the only one surprised by this move? I thought he was all set to make his big league return pretty soon. He tossed six scoreless innings for the Class-A Rome Braves Tuesday night and said himself that he was ready to pitch in the majors again.

Tom Glavine is Tired

After being told Tuesday that he must rest for at least two weeks after inflammation was found in his left rotator cuff, Tom Glavine may decide to retire.

The 43-year-old Atlanta Braves veteran and future Hall of Famer said he’s tired of rehabbing following his August elbow and shoulder surgeries. He’s willing to give the shoulder two weeks of rest, but not the six to eight weeks this type of rehab sometimes takes.

Glavine, who ended Sunday’s minor league start with the AA Mississippi Braves after just two innings due to shoulder soreness, felt similar discomfort when hitting in spring training, but the pain apparently didn’t last as long as it did this time. But if you're into sports betting, I'd wager (sadly) that he won't return.

One More Year

At least one veteran hurler has decided to represent for the Atlanta Braves.

Old school lefty Tom Glavine said "one more year" one more time, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract Friday morning, including an extra $3.5 million in bonuses based on roster time.

Glavine, baseball's 42-year-old active wins leader with 305 victories, went 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA over 13 starts last season before injuring his elbow. He plans on joining the Braves in March after rehabbing in Atlanta from a shoulder operation.

[AP] | [MLB Rumors] | [Talking Chop]

Randy Johnson: Old and Full of Crap

Old schooler Randy Johnson, who joined the San Francisco Giants this winter, claims the elusive 300th win is not what made him return to baseball once again for the 2009 season.

"Winning 300 is important, but it is not the [sole] reason I am playing this game," he said.

Bologna.

The Big Unit needs only five more victories to reach the milestone, which only 17 other big leaguers have accomplished in the modern era. Most recently it was Tom Glavine in 2007, and before him Greg Maddux and Roger Clemens in '04 and '03, respectively.

Glavine Goes Down, Braves Can't Win

Not looking good for the Atlanta Braves rotation, once again.

Veteran lefty Tom Glavine lasted just three innings of Tuesday's 10-5 loss to the un-fricking-stoppable Chicago Cubs, leaving with an elbow strain that will send him straight to the disabled list.

"It hurt from the minute I started throwing tonight," he said.

Always a good idea to pitch hurt, especially when you're 42 years old.

Glavine was 2-3 with a 4.85 ERA over 12 starts this season, serving up 60 hits, striking out 34 batters, and walking 33. Meanwhile, the Braves are a big league-worst 7-22 on the road.

[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Brought to You by the Letter W

It's been a little while since Tom Glavine enjoyed a victory in an Atlanta Braves uniform.

The 42-year-old veteran lefty pitched 5.2 solid innings to earn his first win for Atlanta in six years with an 8-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night. He surrendered 4 earned runs on four hits, fanning four and walking two.

Meanwhile, Chipper Jones (3 more!) Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson teed off on Brett Myers, each hitting solo shots while Brian McCann drove in three runs of support for Glavine, who hadn’t won a game with the Braves since beating who else, but the Phils on Sept. 19, 2002, just before his five-year hiatus in New York City.

[Talking Chop]

Braves Sweep, Jones Still Ridiculous

Chipper Jones drove in five runs for the Braves, including a three-run shot for his ninth homer of the season Sunday as the Atlanta Braves finished their sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 14-7 victory to bring them back up to .500 baseball.

The Braves, who nailed a season-high 19 hits, scored seven runs in the second inning and Kelly Johnson went 4-for-6 with three doubles. Three doubles! Furthermore, Mark Kotsay went 3-for-4 with a homer, his second of the year.

Atlanta veteran Tom Glavine couldn’t get his act together for his first victory, giving up seven hits and walking five for six runs in just 4.2 innings.

Bronson Arroyo was roughed up for seven runs on seven hits, and lasted only 1.1 innings. This marks the shortest outing of his career as his ERA sky-rocketed to 8.63.

Someone better call 911, cause Chipper Jones is on fire. The 36-year-old sweet-swinging switch-hitter is batting .425. Holy Smokes! The Braves, on the other hand, aren't faring so well on the road. They're 11-4 at The Ted, but 4-11 away.

That's not as crappy as the Reds, though, who just finished another five-game road losing streak to lose their 12th of 18 road games.

[AJC]

Tom Glavine is Broken

For the first time in his 22-year-career, Tom Glavine has landed on the disabled list, retroactive to April 14th.

Last Sunday, the 42-year-old lefty threw just 16 pitches for the Atlanta Braves, failing to get an out against the Washington Nationals to match the shortest start of his life.

Glavine joins the perpetually injured Mike Hampton and closer Rafael Soriano on the DL after team doctors said that the veteran's sore right hamstring needed more time to heal.

"I’ve only been on the disabled list two hours and I hate it," Glavine said.

[Atlanta Journal Constitution]

Atlanta Really Missed Tom Glavine

In his first start for the Atlanta Braves in six years, Tom Glavine took the hill among cheers and a standing ovation.

The 41-year-old lefty threw 30 pitches over two innings Saturday, striking out two and giving up a solo shot to Ty Wigginton in the Braves’ 7-5 Spring victory over the Houston Astros.

Having played for the Braves from 1987-2002, winning two Cy Young Awards in that span, you wouldn't think a veteran with 303 career wins would get nervous.

“Once [the ovation] happened, yeah, I started to get nervous,” he said. “Up until that point, I was kind of like, OK, just go out there and pitch. Don’t worry about it. Just get your feet under you. When I got the nice ovation, I was like, all right, now I want to go out there and do a little bit better than just getting comfortable.”

Glavine, who went 13-8 with a 4.45 ERA with the New York Mets last season, turned down a $13 million option to return; instead taking a one-year, $8 million offer to play for the Braves. If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on his retirement after the 2008 season.

[MLB] | [Braves Nation] | [The Scoreboards]

Braves Offer Deal to Tom Glavine (Updated)

The Atlanta Braves made an offer to Tom Glavine this weekend after GM Frank Wren met with his agent in Phoenix, proposing a contract that would allow the 41-year-old pitcher to retire in Atlanta.

Both sides seem to be pleased with the offer, which could be somewhere between $8 million and $10 million for the 2008 season. The Braves have made it clear that they want Glavine back and Gregg Clifton, his agent, feels negotiations will be set over the weekend.

Glavine, a 300-game-winning gem, turned down the $13 million option to return to the New York Mets for a sixth year, with the intention of finishing in career with the Braves, where he kept his home after pitching there from 1987-2002.

Glavine used his time wisely in Atlanta, nabbing two NL Cy Young Awards and putting up five 20-win seasons. He went 13-8 with a 4.45 ERA over 200.1 innings with the Mets this year.

Update: Home is where the heart is for Glavine, as he accepted the Braves' one-year, $8 million offer Monday, re-joining their rotation after a 5-year absence.

[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Tom Glavine is Getting too Old for this Crap

New York Mets veteran Tom Glavine declined the club's $13 million option on Friday, making himself eligible for free agency. Per his contract, Glavine had to make a decision by the fifth day after the Mets' season ended.

The 41-year-old lefty went 13-8 with a 4.45 ERA in 34 starts this year, going downhill fast in his final three games.

Example: he managed just one out while giving up seven runs to the Florida Marlins in the first inning of the 8-1 season finale loss... the loss that knocked New York's postseason hopes out of the park.

Will he finally be back in an Atlanta Braves uniform next season, or will he hang up his glove for good?

After earning his 300th victory with the Mets, Glavine will receive the $3 million buyout in addition to his $7.5 million salary this year. The decline of his 2008 option certainly makes it seem as if he may still be interested in returning to Atlanta, where he makes his home in the suburbs.

[Newsday]

Sunday's Babelicious Scoreboard

Mets 8, Cubs 3

It was vintage Tom Glavine night at Wrigley Field, as the veteran lefty mixed pitches and made a fool of Chicago Cubs hitters to earn his 300th career victory.

And who drove in the first New York Mets run? Forty-one-year-old Glavine, right up the middle.

Wednesday's Babelicious Scoreboard

Pirates 3, Mets 6

While A-Rod nailed career homer #499 in flyover country, New York Mets veteran starter Tom Glavine (9-6, 4.51 ERA) earned career victory #299 with a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 41-year-old lefty rebounded from a terrible outing in Los Angeles where he couldn't make it past the third inning with a 6-0 lead on his plate. In six innings Wednesday, Glavine gave up three runs on eight hits with 3 walks and two strikeouts.

His catcher, Paul Lo Duca drove in four runs of support with a pair of two-run doubles early in the game.

Marlon Anderson, in for All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran (strained abs) hit a sacrifice fly for the Mets, who have won five of six.

Pirates lefty Tom Gorzelanny was pulled in the third inning due to shoulder stiffness, but expects to make his next start.

Jason Bay homered for the third time in two days for Pittsburgh and Adam LaRoche drove in a run while Freddy Sanchez had two hits for the slumping Pirates, who have lost six straight on the road and 10 of 11 overall.

Glavine will look to become the 23rd player to reach the 300-win milestone at Miller Park next week.

Squeeze Play: Mets @ Phillies

After patiently waiting to make his season debut, Freddy Garcia hopes to help the Philadelphia Phillies shake their worst start in 10 seasons (3-8) when they host veteran Tom Glavine and the New York Mets (7-4) at 7:05pm ET.

As Garcia makes only his second start against the Mets, Glavine will make his second against Philadelphia already this season. He gave up three runs in six innings of Thursday's 5-2 win over the Phillies, finally settling down after a rocky start to outpitch Jamie Moyer in the most wrinkly matchup of lefty starters in 85 years.

[MLB]

I'd Knit Tom Glavine a Sweater if Only I Cared

Tom Glavine is old. The prophecy of the Mets Season Preview Haiku says so.

On a serious note, Glavine (1-1, 2.38 ERA) is not too thrilled about pitching in the cold weather this week. He says it's because it affects his feel on the ball, not because he's decrepit, it's freakin' cold outside, and they don't allow afghans on the mound.

However, the veteran who is only 9 wins away from 300 career victories says he's not at all concerned about circulatory problems that popped up last season during cold weather spells.

Glavine is set to pitch when the Mets take on the Phillies on Thursday night, where the temperature is expected to be in the high-30s to low-40s by game-time. Better wear your long johns, ya old fart!

[Yahoo! Sports]

A Cure For Spring Fever

The regular season officially kicks off Sunday with an exciting National League matchup of the New York Mets vs. the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Believe me buddies, we are PUMPED.

One week after his 41st birthday, Tom Glavine will start the Mets season opener for the fourth time in five seasons - the eighth time in his career. The veteran lefty has a 4-3 record in seven Openers and a 2-1 record with the Mets.

Glavine has had a pretty great spring, and a victory over the Cards on Sunday would put him within nine wins of 300. He won his only decision against them in the regular season and split two playoff starts against them last fall.

With a couple more wins and added support from the offense and bullpen, Chris Carpenter would have won a second straight Cy Young Award in 2006.

The righty has some nasty stuff, disciplined command and extreme durability with an arsenal of four pitches, all for strikes - fastball, curveball, cutter and changeup. He attempted to polish his change this spring, which wasn't necessary for one of the best righties in the game.

Spring Fever: Mets @ Astros

NY Mets 7, Houston 2

Tom Glavine extended his spring training scoreless streak to five innings, aiding the New York Mets in a 7-2 victory over the Houston Astros. Glavine allowed four hits in three innings, working himself out of a couple first and third jams.

Jorge Sosa followed with two scoreless innings and Aaron Heilman pitched a perfect seventh, before closer Billy Wagner threw hitless.

Right-hander Brian Moehler, in contention for the Astros' final rotation spot, started the game with three scoreless innings while Paul Estrada and Scott Sauerbeck didn't allow a run for Houston, as well.

Hunter Pence, a 23-year-old contending for a spot on the Astros roster, went 2-for-2 against Glavine and is 9-for-12 this spring. He has an outside shot at a starting job in right field, but must get past Richard Hidalgo, Luke Scott and Jason Lane first. Pence has hit .302 with 67 home runs and 222 RBIs in three minor league seasons.

Carlos Gomez homered for the Mets while first baseman Mike Carp went 2-for-4 with two doubles and five RBIs, and will likely start this season in Double-A. Chan Ho Park's visa problems were taken care of and the righty should start for New York on Wednesday against Boston in Fort Myers.

Fun fact: Former first baseman Jeff Bagwell spent a couple innings away from the retirement home as Houston's first-base coach.

[MLB]

Will This Be Tom Glavine's Last Season?

Tom Glavine needs 10 more victories to reach the 300 win milestone. After that, it's golf and grandkids.

The New York Mets' ace said that if he for some reason doesn't reach the 300-win mark, he'll be back after next season. He's not saying anything definitely, but it sounds as though he plans to call it quits after 2007.  The outlook is sunny though, as only twice in 19 major league seasons has Glavine failed to win at least 10 games, in 1988 and 2003.