Glavine retiring, taking position with Braves

[d107]

Tom Glavine has accepted a front office position with the Atlanta Braves, formally ending his playing career.

Glavine will take the position of special assistant to team president John Schuerholz. The long-time Brave will retire as the winningest active pitcher, with 305 victories.

Glavine, who turns 44 years old in March, did not play in 2009 after signing a one-year contract with the Braves last offseason. The left-hander struggled in his rehab from elbow and shoulder surgery and was released last June.

Glavine spent 17 of his 22 major league seasons with the Braves, including the first 16 as he rose to stardom. He won two NL Cy Young Awards (1991, 1998) and was selected for eight All-Star teams in that stint, as he helped Atlanta to five National League pennants. One of those came in 1995, when the Braves beat the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. Glavine got the win in the clinching game and was named series MVP.

In 2003, he left as a free agent for the Mets, playing with New York for five seasons before rejoining Atlanta for 2008.

In 682 career starts, Glavine has posted a 305-203 record with a 3.54 earned run average. The 10-time All-Star has the fourth-most wins all-time among left-handed pitchers.

[The Nac]

Glavine should be a first ballot HOFer.