Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas officially announced their retirements this week, ending speculation that either one would attempt a comeback in 2010 after not appearing in a big league game last season. Glavine was a great finesse pitcher of his generation, and Thomas was a premiere slugger of the nineties.
The southpaw won 305 games, two Cy Young Awards, and four Silver Sluggers. He was a 10-time All-Star, had five 20-win seasons, and was named the 1995 World Series MVP for leading the Braves to victory. Glavine’s Fall Classic performance included eight innings of one-hit, shutout ball in a decisive Game 6 against the Cleveland Indians. In addition to cleanup man Albert Belle, the Cleveland lineup featured the likes of Kenny Lofton, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, and then-future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray. Meanwhile, Braves hitters were only able to put a single run on the board in the bottom of the sixth, leaving Glavine with no margin for error. Among his lesser-known achievements, Glavine allowed just one grand slam in 682 games – all starts – over his 22-year major league career. Finally, at the time of his retirement, he was second only to Omar Vizquel in sacrifice bunts among active players, with 216. (The next-closest – pitcher or position player – is longtime teammate John Smoltz, with 136.)
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