IAL Hall of Fame: Tom Glavine

Tom Glavine had a pretty unexciting start in the Illowa APBA League.  Winning just two games in his first years, I’m not sure anyone paid much attention to him.  After a ten-win season in his third season in 1990, his trade value was as high it would ever get so it seemed.  So Chicago Champion management traded him for an aging Kirk Gibson to the Twin City Thunderchickens.  After that he never looked back. 

After a mediocre 7-9 season, Glavine put together a string of 12 seasons of double digit wins (after a season of injuries in 2004, he won 10 or more for three more years).  That first year in 1996, he showed his talent winning 17 with a 2.96 ERA and struck out 219.  Glavine was a workhorse. For 14 out of 15 years, he threw at least 210 innings for Twin City explaining why he’s in the top ten in so many pitching categories. 

Glavine’s best season was arguably 1999.  That was the year everything just came together for the Twin City Thunderchickens.  Glavine’s amazing performance was almost overshadowed by teammate Mark McGwire’s record breaking 70 homeruns but that year, he simply couldn’t lose.  With a record of 21-7 and a 3.23, he showed why Thunderchicken management had already deemed him “untradeable”.  By the end of the year, Glavine had not only helped the team to their first 100 win season under their current manager’s reign but also brought home a league championship.

After 19 years with the team, Tom Glavine retired a Thunderchicken in 2009.  He will forever epitomize what it means to be part of that team. 

Glavine’s accomplishments

• tied for 3rd all-time in wins with 247
• 5th in strikeouts with 2797
• third in shutouts with 36
• third in games started with 582
• fourth in complete games with 148
• third in innings pitched with 4231 2/3
• 12 years in a row with 10 wins or more
• World Series ring in 1999

Tom Glavine shines in his finale

   The final series of the year for the Twin Cities Thunderchickens was a bittersweet one.  We had to say farewell to a good friend.  It was Tom Glavine’s last series in the Illowa APBA League.  Fortunately, he gave us a good show to watch. 

In three appearances against the Bombers, he was 1-0 with one save and didn’t allow a run in eight innings pitched.  He got his save in game 3 when we were up 4-3 and I’d exhausted my bullpen.  In comes Tom Glavine and he cuts down the Bombers 1-2-3 with two strikeouts.  Nicely done!

The next game, Glavine comes in game in the top of the 11th inning.  He once again keeps the Bombers scoreless thanks to a double play.  He helps himself by striking out Brendan Harris.  An rbi single by Jacoby Ellsbury in the bottom of the inning secures the win for TG.

Glavine got the nod in game 162 in favor of perhaps better pitchers.  It was a good call as Glavine is on his game.  He only allows four hits and two unearned runs in six innings.  We eventually win the game 4-2.  If only I could give Glavine the win. 

Obviously, this was not going to be a great year for Glavine being his swan song.  His DW and limited innings just didn’t allow it.  But let me say this.  In 24 games and 16 starts, he didn’t do half bad.  His 4.93 ERA was below the team average and better than starters like John Lackey, Manny Parra and Dustin McGowan.  And he did manage a respectable 6-7 record. 

Not many Illowa managers can say they’ve had one player on their team for 19 years.  I’ve teased Tedd endlessly for practically handing me Glavine just before the 1991 IAL season.  To his credit, Tedd has taken it well.  But after a few years with the team when I knew exactly who I had gotten, I made a pact with Mr Glavine that he would never be traded and would retire a Thunderchicken.  Such is my gratitude for getting one over on Mr Champion. 

To put it mildly, Glavine has serviced the Thunderchickens well.  He’s given me 235 wins.  There’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be a first-time IAL Hall of Famer.

Thanks Tom Glavine.