Tom Glavine Memorabilia Buying Guide

By Sean J. O'Rourke

Tom Glavine has enjoyed great success since his Major League debut with the Atlanta Braves in 1987. Over the course of 20-plus Major League seasons, Glavine has established himself as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in the history of baseball. Glavine started his career with the Atlanta Braves on August 17, 1987 and during the 1990s became one part of possibly the most-feared pitching rotations the Major Leagues have ever seen. Three future shoo-in Hall of Famers—Glavine, John Smoltz and Greg Maddux—combined to win seven Cy Young awards over the course of eight seasons from 1991 through 1998. Glavine won his second National League Cy Young award in 1998. During that stretch the Atlanta Braves went on to win the 1995 World Series, with Glavine being named Most Valuable Player. During that Series, Glavine threw one of the most dominant and unforgettable games in baseball history as he one-hit the offensive powerhouse Cleveland Indians during the Series-clinching Game Six. After the 2002 season, Glavine took his talents to the rival New York Mets, where he continued to shine as one of baseball's best left-handed pitchers. Glavine won spots on both the 2004 and 2006 National League All-Star Game rosters, his ninth and tenth appearances respectively. Despite two Cy Young Awards, a World Series Championship where he was voted MVP and 10 All-Star Game appearances, Glavine's greatest accomplishment was yet to come. On August 5, 2007 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on a nationally-televised game, Glavine won his 300th game, becoming the 23rd player and only fifth left-handed pitcher to achieve the benchmark for pitching greatness. A fitting finale for a Hall of Fame career, Glavine signed a one-year, $8 million contract entering the 2008 season with the Atlanta Braves, where his career started some 22 years ago.

With less and less 20-game winners in Major League Baseball, there were none in 2006, Glavine's accomplishments and career resume make him a shoo-in for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in the coming years. Recent Hall of Fame inductees such as Goose Gossage and Jim Sutter have had the demand and the value for authentic items associated with them skyrocket since their induction. Glavine, entering his final season in 2008, is a shoo-in Hall of Famer and will have the value of his memorabilia ascend in the coming years.  That said, here are five products we think collectors should have for their Tom Glavine collection:

• TOM GLAVINE AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALL WITH “300th WIN” INSCRIPTION: If you're looking for an investment that will increase in value in coming years look no further. Tom Glavine became just the 23rd pitcher in Major League Baseball history to win 300 games on August 5th, 2007. Along with being only the 5th left-handed pitcher in baseball history to win 300 games, Glavine may very well be the last as the game's dependence on relief pitchers has become paramount in the last ten years. This is a baseball hand-signed by future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine. Along with his signature, Glavine has also inscripted "300 win" along with "8-5-07", the date he reached the great feat.

• TOM GLAVINE AUTOGRAPHED JERSEY:  This New York Mets jersey is an absolute 100% essential piece of memorabilia for all Tom Glavine fans and serious baseball collectors. Glavine sums up his Hall of Fame career on this hand-signed New York Mets home jersey. Along with his aforementioned signature, Glavine has also inscripted: "300 Win 8-5-07", "Cy 1991/1998", & "95 WS MVP" on the front-side of the jersey. This is a great addition to even the largest, most-valuable collection as it's value is sure to ascend as a Hall of Fame induction for Glavine is imminent following his retirement.

• TOM GLAVINE SIGNED PHOTO: Tom Glavine during his career with the Atlanta Braves was one piece of possibly the most-feared pitching rotation in Major League Baseball history. Teamed at the front of the rotation with Greg Maddux and John Smoltz, Glavine went on to win 2 Cy Young Awards, in 1991 and 1998, respectively. This is an autographed high-quality 8x10" photograph hand- signed by Glavine himself. Glavine, entering his final professional season, is promised to have a high demand on authentic memorabilia associated associated with him. Glavine has seemingly only one phrase missing from his Major League resume: Hall of Famer, a title he will almost certainly acquire in the coming years following his retirement.

• TOM GLAVINE "300TH WIN" PHOTOMINT: Tom Glavine is a 2-time Cy Young Award Winner, a 10-time All-Star and has a World Series Championship where he won the Most Valuable Player for the series. That said, Glavine's career claimed it's highest watermark on August 5th, 2007 when against the Chicago Cubs on ESPN, Glavine beat the Cubs 8-3, claiming his 300th career win. This photomint shows Glavine pitching during the game with an inset of him and manager Willy Randolph embracing after the game.  The exclusive high-quality photograph is accompanied by a 24-karat gold New York Mets coin, along with infield dirt  from the Mets' home field: Shea Stadium. This limited-edition collectible is enclosed in a 13x16" black, wooden frame and makes a great addition to any baseball fan's collection. Limited to 1,000 and authenticated by Major League Baseball.

• TOM GLAVINE SIGNED MLB BASEBALL: In 1998, future Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine became only the 14th player in Major League Baseball history to win multiple Cy Young awards, the award giving to each league's top-performing pitcher annually. Tom Glavine, entering his final professional season in Major League Baseball in 2008, is considered one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of all time. Own this authentic Major League Baseball ball signed by Glavine along with his own personal inscription of: "Cy 91, 98" commemorating his two Cy Young awards in 1991 and 1998 respectively.

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