Glavine Turns Small-Town Ball Into Big-Time Event
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2734314542_28889e3f10.jpgKinston Indians cleanup hitter Jared Goedert didn’t just take one for the team when he got plunked to lead off the second inning last night. And the catcallers at BB&T Coastal Field weren’t about to let Goedert forget it.
”WHAT ARE YOU DOING, 1-2?” screamed one, calling out Goedert by number. “GET THAT BALL ALREADY! NO TELLING THE NEXT TIME YOU’LL GET HIT BY A HALL-OF-FAMER!”
Indeed, the pitch in question didn’t come from your typical, up-and-coming A-baller. The stitch marks were left by none other than the Atlanta Braves’ Tom Glavine – he of the 305 career big-league wins, and the first-ballot induction to Cooperstown in waiting.
Sure, major leaguers make regular appearances in the minors as part of their rehab from injuries. The Braves’ Mike Hampton and Jeff Bennett made such detours through Myrtle Beach earlier this year. And in Glavine’s case, the Braves southpaw was making his way back from a torn tendon in his pitching elbow.
But players of Glavine’s stature don’t exactly come rolling through the Grand Strand every day. So Monday night’s contest wasn’t just a game; it was truly an event.
The traffic lines snaked around 21st Ave. North, and up and down Grissom Parkway both past Broadway at the Beach and Mr. Joe White Avenue. And this was a good 40 minutes before the 7:05 first pitch. Once inside, the overflow crowd was standing-room-only. Glavine’s trademark “47” graced Braves t-shirts and replica jerseys throughout the stadium. Kids jammed up against the right field railings, hoping for an up-close look (and maybe an autograph) as Glavine made his way in from his pre-game warm-ups, and back to the clubhouse after completing his four-inning stint.
I’m a lifelong Mets fan, and as much as I rooted for Glavine in the five seasons he played his home games at Shea Stadium, to me he always was, is, and will be a Brave. So imagine how odd it seemed to see him in teal and gold, throwing pitches between stints of “Silly Sumo Wrestling” and “ROOOOOOOOAST BEEEEEEEEEEF” promos.
Plus, Glavine’s Pelicans debut was his first appearance in a Minor League game in 21 years. That’s a testament not only to Glavine’s longevity and success in Major League Baseball, but also his durability (until this year, Glavine had played his entire big-league career without a trip to the disabled list).
In all, it was a truly unique experience – one that Glavine leaves in the rear-view mirror as he rejoins the Braves in Arizona this weekend, but one that the rest of us won’t soon forget.
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