This past week the Atlanta Braves released 305-game winner Tom Glavine Now, the fact that Glavine was released is not all that big of a surprise. Glavine is 43 years old, had surgery on his elbow and shoulder last year, and is not in a position where he can help the Braves pitching this season.

This was going to probably be Glavine’s last season in the majors, the Braves and Glavine both knew that. It would have been a great last hurrah with the team that Glavine won the majority of his games with, and won a World Series with in 1995. In fact, Glavine was the MVP of that series with two wins. Instead the Braves decided that those memories were not enough to keep him around.

The Braves could have allowed Glavine to pitch this final season with them, but they decided to save $1 million (Glavine would receive this bonus upon his return to the majors) and bring up top prospect Tommy Hanson. Hanson is going to be a major league star, and is cheaper than Glavine, so from a business point the move makes sense. The problem is the Braves should have made this move in spring training.

Instead, the team made Glavine pitch rehab assignments, and after he pitches what is supposed to be his final assignment they release him. The team is treading on dangerous ground that could result in one of the major cogs of the revitalization of the Braves after years in the basement turning his back on them.

Former team general manager and current president John Schuerholz issued an apology days after the release. Sadly, it may prove to be futile in what could be the end of Glavine’s long-term relationship with the Atlanta Braves.