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Bourne
with an Opinion
Atlanta Braves make biggest mistake ever
By Jason Bourne
Staff writer
Thursday, Dec. 5, was the darkest day in the history of
Atlanta professional sports.
That was the day Tom Glavine signed with the New York Mets for three years
worth $35 million, with an option for a fourth year, which could bring
his total income to around $42 million.
Glavines former club, the Atlanta Braves, originally offered him
a three-year guaranteed deal worth $30 million with a fourth year option,
but then cut the offer to two years worth $18 million with an option for
a third.
Glavine was one of the greatest pitchers in Braves history and will
be sorely missed.
What I dont understand is why he went to the Mets instead of the
Chicago Cubs or the Texas Rangers, who, lets face it, are two of
the worst teams in baseball.
The Cubs havent won a World Series since 1908, and the Rangers are
lucky to win three games a season, even with A-Rod.
One of the reasons Glavine signed with the Mets was his desire to have
the opportunity to reach 300 wins.
He is 58 wins away, and he thinks that a four-year contract will allow
him to reach that plateau.
But I have already figured it out. All Glavine needs to do is to get re-signed
by the Braves before spring training and average 29 wins in two seasons,
or 20 in three, and he will have his 300 wins.
I have come to notice, over the last five years especially, how baseball,
and all of the professional sports, have become more like politics. I
say this because players are demanding long-term contracts worth anywhere
from $30 million to $250 million.
In my honest opinion, if I were a baseball player, I would be glad to
be making $10 thousand a year just for hitting and catching a five ounce
baseball.
Nowadays, players get 10 to 20 times that amount just for popping out
to shortstop in one at bat.
I would also be happy to spend my entire career with one team. Todays
players change teams so much that you can be watching Tom Glavine with
the Braves battling the Mets on Thursday and turn the game on Friday and
Glavine is coming out of the Mets bullpen to set up against the
Braves.
This just makes me mad because the players are not playing for the love
of playing, but for the love of money.
As I close, let me say that baseball is a fans sport. The players
should play for the love of the game and not the love of the money.
The players should also take into account the fans and their feelings.
True fans develop that special love for certain players and hate to see
their favorite players change teams for more money.
I wish Glavine the best in all he does and I hope he gets his 300 wins,
but not against Atlanta of course!
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