Another milestone, this time for Glavine
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 05, 2007 
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There were three significant milestones in baseball this weekend.
I covered the first one – Alex Rodriguez hitting his 500th home run. I ignored the second one and I happily watched the third one on television just now.
Tom Glavine is one of the good guys in baseball. He’s one of the great left-handers of all time but also a well-respected teammate and an eloquent spokesman for the game in times good and bad. Plus he likes the Patriots.
When the Mets were courting Glavine as a free agent, I was covering the story and learned that Glavine was being flown into the Westchester Airport on a private jet. I went over there, asked a few questions and learned where the plane would land.
It was a private hanger and only one other reporter figured it out – Tyler Kepner of the Times. We dodged security guys long enough to get the interview. Glavine was surprised we were waiting, but he spoke to us for a few minutes.
That spring, when Glavine became a Met, I quickly learned what a good guy he was with the media and talked to him every chance I could to learn about pitching. As a writer who had mostly covered college basketball to that point, it was a great experience. I know from talking to my buddies who cover the Mets now that Glavine hasn’t changed.
Glavine may be the last pitcher to win 300 games for a long time, especially with Randy Johnson having again had back surgery. It’s a great feat and congratulations to him.
Hard work paid off for Glavine and A-Rod and baseball should celebrate what they have done.
As for the other guy … well, two out of three ain’t bad.
Who is this Tom Glavine that you speak of?
I couldn’t agree more with everything you said – my perception of him (albeit it not as personalized as yours) is the exact same way.
But Peter…the Patriots? You’re a Pats fan? Jeez…
Russ and Joba. Bring them up.
If Brower stinks dump him also. the guy is 30 + and could not find a job this yr for a reason.. Joba will be up in a few days.. No way they converted him to a reliever and will keep him in the minors…
no way
As a fan of baseball you cannot be more impressed with Tom’s career. A sure fire first ballot guy, who did it with control and smarts. A great guy to watch pitch and as I have heard a good person. Congrats Tommy Glavine, I know you wish you could have done this with Rockin’ Leo and Bobby watching, but I am sure they both take great pride in what they helped produce not just as a pitcher but as a great person for the game.
it was great watching the mets game tonight on tv. great guy, great player, great moment. it was really touching that so many of his extended family members were there, and i think his wife was crying at one point.
Pete,
Unless RJ manages to get 300, I don’t see any lefty will getting to 300 in the next 10-15 years.
After RJ, next up are Boomer Wells at 235 (not gonna happen), Jamie Moyer at 225 (even though the guy is almost timeless, 75 is too many), Kenny Rogers at 210 (nope) and Andy Pettitte at 193 (nope).
Since Zito and Mulder both got derailed, the only 2 lefties that I could even remotely countenance as getting to 300 are Sabathia and Santana, and both are at least 12 years away from reaching 300 (maybe even 15 years away).
It’s not like there’s a lot of righties well positioned to get to 300, but since Glavine is only the 5th lefty to reach 300 wins (out of 23 pitchers total to reach that mark), Glavine’s achievement is all the more special…..
P.S. Moose comment: Mussina right now is tied at 47 in the all time wins list, and has a puncher’s chance of tying Eppa Rixley and Bob Feller for 35 place all time in wins (266).
Mussina may not reach the HoF (unfortunately), but he has done a lot more than a lot of people realize….
Maybe Mussina can go to the NL to get 300 wins.
Pete’s airport scheme to get the interview would’ve pleased Gordon Gekko (ie In the movie “Wall St”) when Charlie Sheen secretly follows Gekko rival Larry Wildman to the take-off of a private plane, dupes someone in the ground crew into telling him where the plane is going (Erie, Pa) whence Gekko determines Wildman is going to buy Anacot Steel. Gekko buys a bunch of the stock, causing the price to rise, etc. Anyhow, Pete was like the Charlie Sheen character.
Sue, if that’s the analogy, then I guess we’re lucky Tom didn’t sock Pete in the face.
If Mussina would have been a Pitcher who’s not blowing leads he could have made it to 300 but since he’s blowing leads whenever he has a chance not only he won’t make it he doesn’t even deserve to make it and be a Hall-Of-Famer. (still angry on the 3-1 lead he blew last year in ALDS agaisnt the Tigers after Damon hit the 3-run-HR).
Absolutely, 100% agree Pete. Great job summing up an historic weekend.
great post.
“As for the other guy … well, two out of three ain’t bad.”
ZING! I was laughing out loud.
Still a little early, but would you say A-Rod’s got the MVP title locked up?
Glavine is pretty active in the player’s association. Shouldn’t he get some credit for the conditions that allowed Bonds to tie Aaron’s record?
The Post had a great headline yesterday regarding Bonds’ 755th:
“Say It Taint So”