Happy 40th to Tommy Glavine

[cjedmonton]

So, Tom Glavine turns the big 4-Oh today. Although his career is definitely on the downswing, I'm really pulling for him to pick up the last 25 wins he needs to cement his place in Cooperstown.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Glavine. Thanks for so many great seasons.




Here's how I have Glavine stacked up against the all-time great lefties:

Rank/Name/Career Merit Value
#16 Wilbur Cooper 728.105
#17 Jesse Tannehill 711.082
#18 Herb Pennock 638.316
#19 Nap Rucker 631.724
#20 Rube Marquard 614.991
#21 Tom Glavine 610.668
#22 Eppa Rixey 610.619
#23 Tommy John 605.588
#24 Mickey Lolich 595.394
#25 Jim Kaat 586.184
#26 Vida Blue 570.198

Did you know...
Tom Glavine holds the major league record for the most games pitched with no relief appearances? Through the 2005 season, all 603 games Glavine has appeared in have come in a starting role.

Southpaw Legacy

[Mattingly]

cj, thanks again!

By the way, what's the Career Merit Value?

[cjedmonton]

By the way, what's the Career Merit Value?

Career Merit Value is just an evaluation formula I came up with in my spare time in an effort to rank the greatest southpaws since 1900. I've mentioned before that no ranking formula is without its share of flaws, and mine is certainly no different. However, I think it does a pretty good job of separating the legends from the greats from the pretty goods from the "Hey, at least I played in the majors!".

Feel free to take a look at the criteria here. Thanks for stopping by!

Chris

[Mattingly]

Thanks, CJ. I'll check out that link then bookmark it. Here's a local article for you, from the NY Daily News.

Tom takes cake at 40

JUPITER, Fla. - Julio Franco was the man behind a birthday cake for Mets southpaw Tom Glavine. And maybe since the gesture came from a player seven years his senior, Glavine was a little less concerned about turning 40 today.

"It's more about a number than anything else. I feel great and because of that, I'm less concerned about (my age)," Glavine said yesterday after pitching five innings and earning his first spring training win, a 12-2 rout of the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium.

Willie Randolph obviously isn't concerned about Glavine's age, either, telling reporters shortly after the game, "He's our Opening Day starter. We're in good hands, that's for sure."

Pedro Martinez's sore right big toe is the main reason why Glavine is getting the nod April 3 against Washington, but even as he's about to begin his 20th season in the majors, Glavine will be expected to carry the front end of the rotation. As for his preparation leading up to the season, Glavine (5.25 ERA this spring) scattered five hits over five frames, walking four and whiffing three. But two of his 99 pitches were mammoth home runs by center fielder Jim Edmonds and 2005 NL MVP Albert Pujols. Pujols' third-inning shot to left hit the office building behind the outfield wall - about 425 feet from home plate.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

Happy Birthday Tommy! I hope he gets about 15 wins this year and then comes back to Atlanta to win 12 and finish his career with 302 wins.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

Happy Birthday Tommy,
300 wins is just around the corner.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Happy 4-0 Tommy! Here's to your future Hall of Fame candidacy!

[Sweet Lou]

Where's Smoltz on the list? Any chance he'd make it to Cooperstown too? What a trio, Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz.
edit: Just checked, he only has 177. Man, I thought he'd have more than that.

[jwkfs]

Where's Smoltz on the list? Any chance he'd make it to Cooperstown too? What a trio, Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz.
edit: Just checked, he only has 177. Man, I thought he'd have more than that.

You have to remember, Smoltz was a Closer for three years after he had elbow surgery; if he'd had ~15 wins a season for those three years, he would be around 220. Also note that he's one of only two players with 150 wins and 150 saves -- the other being Dennis Eckersley.

[Sweet Lou]

You have to remember, Smoltz was a Closer for three years after he had elbow surgery; if he'd had ~15 wins a season for those three years, he would be around 220. Also note that he's one of only two players with 150 wins and 150 saves -- the other being Dennis Eckersley.

Yeah, I should have figured that out. And actually, he missed all of 2000, and only appeared in 36 games in 2001 as a reliever. I remember him coming back and closing games, and being amazing, and I know he'd be a closer to be reckoned with. One of the few times in life I was right!
So, if he had 15 wins from 2000 to 2004, that would have been 75 more wins...of course, that doesn't mean an;ything, because he DIDN'T get 15 wins each of those seasons, but that does explain it for me. In fact, Glavine got exactly 75 wins those 5 seasons. I'm sure Smoltz would have been right there with him.
Lou
ps Sorry, didn't mean to hijack Glavines thread with his old pal Smoltz.