Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Tom Glavine, one of the best lefty pitchers of all time, didn’t excel right away. In fact, he lost 17 games his first full season as a rookie. Part of that was because he was pitching for a putrid Braves team. He showed signs of turning things around fairly quickly, though, and like his franchise, he was soon dominating. While not overpowering (he never struck out more than 192 batters in a season), he got them when he needed. Opponents needed to get to him in the first inning; otherwise, he just got stronger as the game progressed. Here are 20 instances that demonstrate his exceptional abilities.
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From 7-17 to 20-11 and a World Series (1991)
Tom Glavine had a very rough introduction to the Majors. He had a taste of the game when he came up in 1987, but he had a brutal ’88 season, going 7-17. To be fair, the Braves were a terrible team then. They had yet to form the nucleus that would bring them many National League East titles. That change first happened in ’91, when Atlanta went from worst to first and found themselves in a World Series against another worst-to-first team, the Minnesota Twins. Glavine blossomed into a star, winning the first of his two Cy Young Awards, thanks to a 20-11 record.
Three Straight Years of 20 Wins
1991 was just the beginning of a dominant run for Glavine. He would go on to win 20 games in ’92 and 22 in ’93. The lefty was on pace to possibly make it a fourth straight year, but the Players Strike kept that from happening. He came back to win 16, 15, and 14 in the next few years. Fans might have been worried that they were seeing diminishing returns. Glavine put those to rest in the very next season.
Winning 20 again (1998)
Tom Glavine was 32 at this point, and some were wondering if he was starting to go a bit downhill. The Billerica, MA, native thumbed his nose at those naysayers, posting a blistering 20-6 record en route to collecting his second Cy Young. His message: Never Count Me Out.
Another 21-win Season (2000)
Glavine had a somewhat pedestrian ’99, going 14-11, but the Braves were very good that year, going all the way to the World Series, only to lose to the Yankees. Then, he seemed to be revitalized by the turn of the millennium, going 21-9 in 2000 and finishing second in the Cy Young Award voting behind another dominant lefty, Randy Johnson.
Two Cy Young Awards Nearly A Decade Apart
Tom Glavine was all about consistency, coupled with some greatness thrown in at times. While he had three straight 20-win seasons, he also had some where he barely reached 14 or 15 wins. Wins might not be the best barometer anymore, since it also depends on run support, but he also had years with ERAs in the high 3s and low 4s, so he wasn’t like Greg Maddux in that regard. Still, there’s a very good reason he’s in Cooperstown.
10 All-Star Selections
Some may see the All-Star Game as a popularity contest, but most see it as a means of recognition by both fellow players and fans. Tom Glavine’s 10 All-Star Game invitations were a clear indication of the high regard in which he was held throughout the Majors, cementing his status among the best of his era.
Coming Back Strong After the Players’ Strike (1995)
Glavine took a beating during the strike from the fans. Many viewed him and the players as being greedy. Still, the strike continued until 1995, when it finally ended, partly thanks to now-Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The lefty seemed to pick up where he left off, going 16-7. He then won 15 games in ’96.
Joining the 300-Win Club
One thing we know about Glavine is his ability to bounce back. He did it after a horrible start to his career, and he had to do the same after going 9-14 in his first season with the Mets (yes, he left Atlanta after the 2002 season). During his time at Shea Stadium, he went on to win his 300th career game, becoming one of the last to do so recently.
He Led The League In Games Started Six Times
If there was one thing that defined Tom Glavine, besides consistency, it was determination. The lefty wanted the ball all the time. He knew when his turn in the rotation was up, and he didn’t shy away. As a result, he led the league in games started six times. That’s impressive in and of itself.
He Struck Tony Gwynn Out Twice
Tony Gwynn gave Tom Glavine’s rotationmates, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz, fits. Maddux even referred to the Padres legend as “That (expletive) Tony Gwynn.” Glavine, on the other hand, actually whiffed Gwynn twice. Who knows? It might have been the lefty-lefty match-up that threw the San Diego legend’s hitting timing off.
He Stepped It Up Against the Indians In the World Series
Tom Glavine wasn’t afraid of the limelight. That was never more evident during Game 6 of the 1995 World Series. Eight innings of one-hit ball brought the Braves their first World Series trophy. He muzzled a potent Indians lineup that included Albert Belle.
He Could Hit, Too
Most pitchers are terrible with the bat. Glavine’s batting average might not have been impressive, but he could hit. His RBI total of 90 meant that he could focus when needed.
The Opening Day Magic That Never Got Old
Year after year, Glavine took the ball on Opening Day eleven times. Seven of those were with the Braves and four for the Mets. It was a sign that he was highly respected, even as a part of powerful pitching rotations that also featured John Smoltz, Greg Maddux, and Pedro Martinez. While he had a 3-3 record, the honor was still there.
A Steady Postseason Presence
Braves and Mets fans knew what they were going to get whenever Tom Glavine toed the rubber during the postseason — a great chance to win. He was a true competitor, and he made each start a very interesting one. His 3.30 postseason ERA showed how dialed in he could get.
That One-Hitter Against the Colorado Rockies (2004)
As great as he was, Tom Glavine never had a no-hitter. He came close in this game against the Colorado Rockies in 2004, but he had to settle for a one-hitter on May 23, 2004. That was his Mount Everest, and it was good enough.
Withstanding the New York Media Heat
After 16 years in Atlanta, Glavine shocked the baseball world by signing with the Mets, then proved his greatness wasn’t tied to any uniform. He won double-digit games in all but one of his years pitching at Shea. Then he got to close out his career back where he started: Atlanta. However, he demonstrated that he could withstand the scrutiny of the New York media.
One of the Best at Bending But Not Breaking
As mentioned earlier, Glavine excelled at keeping games close. His ERAs might not have been as impressive as, say, Pedro Martinez’s, but he was a control pitcher who was in the thick of the steroid era. Facing hitters who were using PEDs could have hurt his overall numbers.
He Was Always Able to Adapt As the Game Went On
His All-Star selections weren’t just participation trophies—Glavine earned them by consistently challenging the American League’s best hitters. In an era when the AL was supposedly superior, Glavine’s midsummer performances often served as a reminder that National League pitching was still an art form, making those exhibition games feel like personal statements on his adaptability and skill.
He Had Exceptional Control
The secret to Tom Glavine’s success was his ability to put the ball where he wanted to. He might not have had the supernatural control that his teammate Greg Maddux did, but he knew what he was doing. That helped him win as many games as he did.
Hello Cooperstown
Tom Glavine spent years honing his craft. He combined that with a gritty determination and competitiveness that bordered on obsession. As a result, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, joining Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas that year. He had to take a deep breath before his speech, but he gave an eloquent one, just like his career.