Episode XXVII: Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Glavine

The 27th edition of Whe're They At features Baseball Hall of Famer and current Atlanta Braves television analyst Tom Glavine. Tom was drafted by two different sports leagues in 1984 out of high school, the National Hockey League (Los Angeles Kings) and of course, Major League Baseball by the Braves. He chose to play baseball and proceeded to win two (2) National League Cy Young Awards (best pitcher), make ten (10) All-Star appearances and win a World Series Championship (w/ the 1995 Atlanta Braves) while winning the World Series Most Valuable Player. He was also the Union representative for the Braves over a decade, being a major spokesman for the MLB Players Association during the 1994-95 Strike/Lockout. Tom is one of 24 pitchers in MLB history to win over 300 career games. He was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY on his 1st ballot in 2014. He has represented himself as true humanitarian throughout the past three decades. Host Nabaté Isles had the honor to speak with Tom on a cornucopia of topics including:                   

 

01:45-On how the pandemic has inspired more family time.                         04:20-Reflects on his upbringing in Billerica, Massachusetts.        07:47-Tom's athletic influences while growing up.                              08:16-Being a Red Sox fan, he reflects on the great games and players from the 1970's on.                     12:11-On playing with fellow MLB All-Star Gary DiSarcina and against NHL winger Tom Fitzgerald.                        14:25-Reflects on being drafted in BOTH MLB (2nd round) and NHL (4th round) Drafts, straight out of high school.                                  19:19-On how he was able to develop quickly within the Atlanta Braves farm system.                        23:16-Discusses the veteran players who mentored him when he reached the big leagues.                      26:38-The factors that made his Atlanta Braves go from last place in 1990 to one win away from a World Series championship just one year later.                            31:00-On being part of the memorable 1991 World Series vs. the Minnesota Twins.                      33:54-Why does the overall excellence of the Atlanta Braves for 14 years lack the recognition it deserves?                        36:32-Does Tom see the current Los Angeles Dodgers (7 so far) passing his Braves 14 consecutive division titles mark?                              39:29-On why he wanted to become the union representative for the Braves, reflecting on the 1994-95 Strike/Lockout.                                    44:04-Does Tom see the current tension between the players and the team owners lingering into 2021?                        49:09-On how Tom and fellow Hall of Fame pitchers, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz motivated and supported each other.                                      55:41-Why did he leave the Braves to join the rival New York Mets?                      59:17-Reflects on how good the 2006 Mets were.                        1:01:49-What contributed to his longevity and excellence of 22 years?                           1:06:53-Will there be another 300-game winner?                     1:07:39-Why are there more arm injuries for current pitchers with science, nutrition and medicine being more advanced?                        1:10:09-His honest take on the 'Opener', a reliever starting a game for a couple of innings.                           1:11:50-Why are current pitchers not looking to be competent at hitting?                           1:15:03-Will Major League Baseball complete this abbreviated season with the Covid-19 pandemic still looming?                              1:17:42-On how the talented 2020 Braves can benefit from the shortened season.                   1:21:47-HIT AND RUN segment of random questions for Tom.                             1:27:40-On his son, Peyton's time at Auburn University and his quest towards making the professional level of baseball.