Our Opinion -June 11

Local News

June 10, 2009

Anonymous The Times-Recorder Wed Jun 10, 2009, 09:53 PM EDT

Thanks for caring and doing your best

Last week the Atlanta Braves made some news for themselves when they released 43-year-old pitcher Tom Glavine.

Granted, for the most part, it's been bad news. The way the organization handled the situation has taken a lot of heat, especially Braves President Jon Schuerholz, who admitted Sunday he should have explained things in a better way to Glavine.

A two-time Cy Young and 10-time all-star, Glavine made his debut with the Braves almost 22 years ago on Aug. 17, 1987.

Three-hundred five wins and more than 2,600 strikeouts later, Glavine is a free agent. He is currently fourth all-time in wins for left-handers.

He pondered retirement after last season, and with stints on the disabled list this season, the idea may reappear if teams don't give him a chance.

But the whole situation — one in which Glavine spent all but five seasons with the club and returned to the team that drafted him in 1984, along with the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL Draft — can come home to Americus and Ellaville.

While it's not a major ball club like the Braves, coaches who have spent a lot of their time with Americus-Sumter and Schley County were relieved of their duties.

Carl Willis, Gary Newton and Steve Smith among a couple others at Americus-Sumter, and community coaches Tommy Barnes and Steve Wurtz at Schley were told good-bye.

These coaches have invested time — some many years — and energy into making our youth in the area better young men and women while on the playing fields. While it's unfortunate with the economy today, these men should be patted on back for a job well-done.

All of the teens who have come in contact with these men are better for it, and there are probably many of them who would step to the plate and say what they meant to them and what they learned from them.

Thank you coaches for caring and doing your best to care for their well-being and character.

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