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.