Braves Apologize to Tom Glavine; Could Grievance Claim Come Next?

In light of the backlash against the Braves for their handling of Tom Glavine's release, team president John Schuerholz has issued an apology.

But he could conceivably have to offer up more than that.

Glavine could pursue a grievance through the players' union, claiming he was released for financial and not performance reasons, though it would likely be a very difficult case to prove.

The Braves have been adamant that they believe Glavine could not succeed with a fastball in the 82-mph range. But Glavine, 43, was never expected to build up any more velocity than that.

His case in a grievance could be tied to Atlanta's simultaneous acquisition of center fielder Nate McLouth from Pittsburgh.

Glavine would have made $3.5 million in bonuses had he spent 90 days on the Braves' active roster. McLouth this year makes $2 million and rookie Tommy Hanson, who gets a rotation spot instead of Glavine, makes $400,000. Given their prorated salaries, the release of Glavine cleared more than enough room to pay those two.

Agent Gregg Clifton had no comment about a possible grievance, saying only that Glavine would take the weekend to mull his future.

Washington and Texas are two teams believed interested in signing Glavine, who has 305 career wins.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-05-2009 @ 10:37PM

jim80lori said...

Maybe he should if he can prove it, but think it might be hard to prove but if he can prove it go for it.What will happen if he can prove it

6-06-2009 @ 7:49AM

mjsjr52 said...

Nothing like treating a career ace who is headed for the Hall of Fame like trash.

Braves fans have no right to piss and moan if Tom presses his grievance and wins. This is what you get when your team is owned by a media company - real baseball people. Before that it was Ted Turner and Hanoi Jane.

6-06-2009 @ 9:02AM

gmdriver51 said...

wow, baseball is like a corperation. dont care how much money he brought in over the years. lack of repect what a shame. go get them tom

6-07-2009 @ 3:47PM

amoria1092 said...

he is 43 years old. the braves have every right to tell tom he isnt any good anymore. tom seaver was one of the best pitchers ever, but he isnt any good anymore either. time to go tom. you cant pitch forever.

6-07-2009 @ 5:33PM

chriswilis said...

The braves organization knew Glavine wanted to retire with them when they picked him up before the season. He only wanted to be there to retire because his career began with them. Why couldn't they suck it up, pay him the bonus (what's a measly mil mean to the braves!!!) and let one of the best players they have ever and will ever have on the team retire at the end of the season???? Obviously the braves org. forgets that GLAVINE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THIS - From 1991–2005 the Braves were one of the most successful franchises in baseball, winning division titles an unprecedented 14 consecutive times in that period(omitting the strike-shortened 1994 season in which there were no official division champions). The Braves won the NL West 1991-1993 and the NL East 1995-2005, advanced to the World Series five times in the 1990s, winning the title in 1995.

6-07-2009 @ 5:49PM

mr2nole said...

Well lets just file a grievance on Mr. Glavine on his proformance last year when we banked on him as a starter for the whole year. These athletes don't seem to realize that people get let go all the time after years of service to a company and sometimes they may get a gold watch. How many millions was he PAID over the years to do his job. Wecome to real life Tom