The old man's at it again. Tom Glavine just won't give up, and in some ways you have to hand it to him for trying to get back out there. But then there's the other side of the game that says we have potentially better and younger options in Kris Medlen and Tommy Hanson, so why should we waste any starts on the Tom Glavine reunion tour?
While Glavine's presence may not be the best thing for the Atlanta Braves rotation, some people are excited to see him start for the Rome Braves on Tuesday night:
Rome Braves catcher Braeden Schlehuber was three years old when Tom Glavine produced his first 20-win season for the Atlanta Braves in 1991. This week, the two players will become teammates — perhaps even battery mates. Glavine, the 43-year old left-hander, is scheduled to pitch for Rome on Tuesday night at State Mutual Stadium in the final stage of his rehab assignment. Schlehuber, 21, is likely to be behind the plate that night as the R-Braves open a four-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets. "When I heard the news that (Glavine) was coming, I was excited," said Schlehuber when reached by phone Saturday afternoon in Bowling Green, Ky. "It would be awesome if I get to catch that night."
Keep in mind too that some of the Braves best pitching prospects are at Rome, and may benefit greatly from the presence of a professional like Glavine:
"That’d definitely be pretty cool to have him (in Rome)," said Brett DeVall, a heralded lefty in his own right. "If you were to list everything that makes a great pitcher, Tom Glavine would have all of the things. … He’s not really a guy who blows it by people, but he knows how to pitch."
I say let him make a few more rehab starts and help the kids some more. Of course, maybe Glavine will surprise us and his 43-year old body has one more half of a season left in it. Until we see that happen, the best advice I can give is for Medlen and Hanson to stay loose.
Bobby Cox says that if all goes well, Glavine could get a start on this upcoming homestand.