Atlanta Braves Release Pitcher Tom Glavine

In a shocking move, the Atlanta Braves released pitcher Tom Glavine on Wednesday. The reason seems to be a combination of money issues and his age. Glavine signed a $1 million, one-year contract that included another $3.5 million in bonuses and is one of the oldest active pitchers in baseball, at age 43. Glavine was set to make $1 million bonus when he would be placed on the active roster and that might of been the reason for the release.

Glavine started his career with the Braves in 1987, and in a few years became the Braves' ace. Overall, Glavine went to five career World Series, all with the Atlanta Braves, winning only one in 1995. In 2003, after more than 15 years with the Braves, Glavine surprisingly signed a 4-year contract with the New York Mets. Glavine had mixed results in his first few years but finished strong, helping the Mets make the NL Championship Series. Glavine also picked up win #300 with the Mets. In 2007, Glavine declined a one year extension with the Mets and came back to the Braves. Much of his second career with the Braves were plagued with injuries. His career accomplishments include being a two-time Cy Young Award Winner (1991 and 1998), being selected to the All-Star ten times (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), World Series Champion and MVP(1995), and has led the NL in wins five times (1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000).

Glavine was most recently coming back from minor shoulder and elbow surgery he had in the offseason, and had made two impressive rehab starts in the minor leagues, including throwing six scoreless innings on Tuesday night. Glavine was ready to return to the majors. Glavine has not pitched a single game this season.

Glavine is the winningest active pitcher in the MLB with 305 career wins, to go with 203 losses. He also has a career ERA of 3.54 and 2,600+ strikeouts.

The Braves are currently in third place in the NL East, with a record of 26-25, 4.5 games behind the leading Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves have not been in the playoffs in four years, since 2005. They had won their division from 1995-2005.

There is no word yet on what Glavine will do in the future. If Glavine is to retire, he will surely be a first-ballot Hall of Fame and if he doesn't retire, there is sure to be many teams who will want his pitching down the stretch of the season.