Tom Glavine Wins His 300th Game

In all the hype surrounding that other baseball milestone, Tom Glavine became the 23rd pitcher to win 300 games last night against the Cubs. He know has joined the ranks of Cy Young, Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, and Steve Carlton as a mortal lock for a first-ballot election to the Hall of Fame. And he may be the last man to join that list. Only Randy Johnson seems to have a shot to win 300 games among active pitchers. Reduced pitching work loads today make it unlikely that any young pitcher will be able to put in enough innings a year to achieve this.

Even though he attained the milestone while playing for the Mets, one of my least favorite major league teams, I was happy to have been able to witness it (on television). I have many fond memories of watching him ply his trade over the years here in Atlanta, and he turned in some of the greatest pitching performances that I've witnessed live, including the one that may be most remembered and rightly celebrated: his one-hit performance in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, which earned him MVP honors.

Elsewhere, the AJC has a nice photo essay of Glavine through the years. Also, I proved my abilities as a baseball prognosticator only missing the milestone date by two days (ignore some of the other predictions)

Congratulations Tom!

Braves Go Crazy at Trade Deadline

First, they landed the biggest bat available in Mark Texeira (along with a lefty for the bullpen). Now, they've upgraded their bullpen even more, acquiring Octavio Dotel from the Royals. Next, Bronson Arroyo for Jo-Jo Reyes or Yunel Escobar? The cost thus far Jarrod Saltalamacchia, five prospects, and Kyle Davies. While the number of prospects seems a little high, I think the Braves will be ranked as overall winners for the trade deadline. This is the first time they've been this aggressive since going out to get McGriff in the early 90s.

Dotel will be a definite upgrade over Wickman in the closer role (even if they share closing duties). Wickman worries me every time he comes in with a game on the line. Heck, the way today is going for the Braves, he could be on his way shortly.

Texeira? What can you say. As someone who follows the Braves, I hated to see Saltalamacchia go, but let's face it, he was stuck behind another very good, young catcher in McCann. Now, the Braves have a gold-glove first baseman with about twice as much batting ability than any Braves first baseman since Andres Galarraga.

The last rumor also looks like it would be a good deal for the Braves. In any case, the NL East just got even more interesting than it already was with Phillies and Mets making moves of their own.

UPDATE: So the Arroyo deal didn't come to pass, but one more trade did occur: Will Ledezma, who had been designated for assignment, for Royce Ring, adding yet another lefty to their bullpen.

I can't remember a trade deadline where the Braves have been this active. Is this a final push to try to win it this year before Schuerholz retires? I don't know, but I think their chances to win the east, or the wild card, just improved quite a bit.

NP: World Soccer Daily

SportsFilter member, The Old Man, reminisces about seeing Babe Ruth play baseball. His take on Ty Cobb. [scroll down for both]

Score One for the Forces of Light

The Red Sox are currently 9.5 games ahead of the second place Yankees. In May. Digest that for a moment.

All is right with the world.