As always, I would stress that the pitchers included in the Who\u2019s Your Daddy?<\/em> series are among the \u201cbest in the business.\u201d\u00a0 They are selected not because of the players who performed well against them, but rather because success among hitters when they were on the mound was the exception rather than the rule.\u00a0 We\u2019ve looked at pitchers from a wide range of eras \u2013 from Carl Hubbell<\/strong> to Bob Feller<\/strong> to Nolan Ryan<\/strong> to Justin Verlander<\/strong>. Note:\u00a0 For those unfamiliar with the series, its origins are explained at the end of this post.<\/p>\n This chapter of Who\u2019s You Daddy? Focuses on Tom Glavine<\/strong> \u2013 one of just six left-handed pitchers to attain 300 or more major-league victories. In case it should come up in a trivia quiz, here they are (in order of total wins): Warren Spahn<\/strong> (363): Steve Carlton<\/strong> (329); Eddie Plank<\/strong> (326); Tom Glavine<\/strong> (305); Randy Johnson<\/strong> (303); and\u00a0 Lefty Grove<\/strong> (300). \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n ___________________________<\/p>\n Before we get started on this edition,\u00a0here are links to the previous editions of this series.<\/p>\n Please note: For still active pitchers, the stats are as they stood on the date of the post.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n If you go back through past editions of \u201cWho\u2019s Your Daddy?\u201d, you may find a few surprises \u2013 like how Will Clark<\/strong> owned Nolan Ryan<\/strong>; Jerry Lynch<\/strong>\u2018s .714 average versus Sandy Koufax<\/strong>; pitcher<\/em> Hal Jeffcoat<\/strong>\u2019s .545 average versus Hoyt Wilhelm<\/strong>; the fact that Brian Harper<\/strong> faced Roger Clemens<\/strong> 23 times and never struck out; or how Ival Goodman<\/strong> (who averaged one home run each 47 at bats over his 10-season MLB career) poked six home runs in just 64 at bats against Carl Hubbell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n ____________________________<\/p>\n Photo: jimmyack205, CC BY 2.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n Before we get into the lineup of players who fared especially well against Tom Glavine, let\u2019s take a look at the southpaw\u2019s Hall of Fame career.\u00a0 Glavine pitched in 22 MLB seasons (1987-2008, his age-21 through age-42 seasons). He spent 17 seasons with the Braves and five with the Mets. \u00a0Glavine\u2019s 305 wins (versus 203 losses) are 21st<\/sup> all-time and fourth among lefthanders. His .600 wining percentage is 14th<\/sup> among the 24 MLB 300-game winners.<\/p>\n One-Two Punch \u2026 Left Jab-Right Hook<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The leaders in pitching victories for the decade of the 1990s spent seven of the ten years of the decade together\u00a0 in the Braves\u2019 rotation. Righty Greg Maddux, whose decade saw him spend 1990-92 with the Cubs and 1993-99 with the Braves, led all MLB pitchers with 176 wins in the decade.\u00a0 Southpaw Tom Glavine, who spend the entire decade with the Braves, was second with 164. \u00a0Maddux and Glavine both won 300+ games in their MLB careers and were both 2014 first-ballot electees to the Baseball Hall of Fame. <\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Glavine \u2013 a ten-time All Star and two-time Cy Young Award winner – was primarily a fastball-changeup pitcher for most of his career (although he could mix in an effective curve, slider and cutter). He was known for pinpoint control, avoiding the middle of the plate and expanding the strike zone, particularly low-and-away. He won 20 or more games in five seasons (four in the 1990s) \u2013 leading the NL in wins each time. He led the National League in starts six times, complete games once and shutouts once.\u00a0 A workhorse, Glavine started 32 or more games in 17 seasons, including every season from 1996 through 2007.<\/p>\n Baseball Roundtable Likes a Good Coincidence<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In his first MLB season (at age 21), Tom Glavine went 2-4, with a 5.54 earned run average for the Braves.\u00a0 In his final MLB season (age 42), Glavine went 2-4, with a 5.54 earned run average for the Braves.\u00a0 Maybe a good trivia question:\u00a0 What 300-game winner went 2-4, 5.54 in both his first and last seasons in the major leagues?<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n In his prime 12-season stretch from 1991 through 2002, Glavine averaged 17 wins, eight losses, a 3.15 ERA, 225 innings pitched, 77 walks and 144 strikeouts per campaign.<\/p>\n A Brief Break From Our Regularly Scheduled Topic<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Mike Glavine (Tom Glavine’s younger brother) had a brief MLB career:\u00a0 \u00a0six games (PH\/1B), seven plate appearances with the Mets in September of 2003. So, why is he here?\u00a0 Mike made his MLB debut on September 14, 2003 in a pinch-hitting role.\u00a0 Who did he hit for?\u00a0 His big brother Tom. (He grounded out second-to-first).\u00a0 Another fact that caught my eye.\u00a0 Mike got his only MLB hit in his final<\/em> MLB plate appearances (September 28, 2003 versus the Marlin’ Braden Looper.)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n Now, let\u2019s look at a lineup of players, who performed pretty well against Glavine.<\/p>\n Keep in mind, while these selections are statistically based, there is plenty of room for debate. (Isn\u2019t that part of what is great about the national pastime?) For example, they are weighted in favor of larger sample sizes. I also considered whether the numbers were generated in Glavine\u2019s prime years and balanced the stats against the player’s career statistics (for example, if I was looking at two players who each hit .305 versus Glavine, I would be more impressed by the player with a .266 overall career average than one with a .308 career average). \u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll provide some examples of how these criteria were applied as you go through the lineup<\/p>\n Catcher \u2013 Mike Redmond \u2026 .438 average, unexpected power<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 1999, when Glavine went 14-8, 3.68, Redmond faced him seven times and collected five hits and a walk (.833 average).<\/p>\n A Nice Little Run<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n From July 12, 1998 through his second at bat against Glavine on July 6. 1999, Mike Redmond faced Glavine nine times and collected seven singles, one double and a walk. Over those two seasons, Glavine went 34-17, 3.30.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Honorable Mention at Catcher:<\/em> I fully expected this spot to go to someone like Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, w<\/strong>ho went .343-6-13 in 27 games against Glavine. Piazza\u2019s six home runs tie for the most against Glavine and his 13 RBI tie for fifth. \u00a0Piazza did have 84 plate appearances versus Glavine, compared to Redmond\u2019s 51 \u2013 but I could not resist Redmond\u2019s .400+ average. Either would be a fine choice at catcher in this lineup.<\/p>\n Worth the Wait<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Mike Piazza, who played his way into the Baseball Hall of Fame (with a\u00a0 career .308-427, 1,335 stat line and ten All Star selections) was the 1,390th<\/sup> pick in the 1988 MLB draft. \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n ____________________________________<\/p>\n First Base \u2013 Jeff Bagwell \u2026 .339, with three home runs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Michael Glasgow, CC BY 2.0 <https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell<\/strong> hit .339, with three homers and ten RBI in 23 games against Glavine. His 21 career hits against the lefty tie for the 18th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Bagwell also drew 18 walks versus Glavine (11 strikeouts) and put up a .488 on-base percentage. Those 18 walks were the most Glavine issued to any player<\/strong><\/em>. Four of those were intentional, tying for the most IBB Glavine issued to any player.\u00a0 (Others to receive four career IBB from Glavine were Gary Sheffield and Barry Bonds.) Bagwell was a career .297 hitter over 15 seasons (1991-2005, all Astros). He was a four-time All Star, 1991 NL Rookie of the year and 1994 NL MVP (.368-39-116, with 104 runs scored and 15 steals. ).\u00a0 His career stat line was .297-449-1,529, with 1.517 run scored and 202 stolen bases.<\/p>\n ________________________________<\/p>\n An Even Dozen<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In his first dozen games facing Tom Glavine, Jeff Bagwell got on base versus Glavine via hit or walk in all twelve, hitting safety in 11.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ______________________________________<\/p>\n Deserves a Shoutout at 1B<\/em>: First baseman Mo Vaughn<\/strong> doesn\u2019t make this lineup due to a small sample size (just 10 at bats in four games versus Glavine), but he deserves a shoutout. In those three games, he delivered five hits (two doubles and three home runs) for a 1.600 slugging percentage.<\/p>\n Now, it\u2019s always nice when selecting these lineups to come across a player you are not familiar with. Expos’\u00a0 1B Fernando Seguignol<\/strong> faced Tom Glavine in five games (1999-2001) and went seven-for-fourteen (.500), with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI. It was Seguignol’s most at bats, most hits, most doubles (tie), most home runs and most RBI against any pitcher. In five MLB seasons (1998-2001, 2003 \u2026 Expos, Yankees), Seguignol hit .249-17-40 (178 games).<\/p>\n ___________________________<\/p>\n Second Base \u2013 Tie:\u00a0 Robby Thompson and Bill Doran<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I could find good arguments for both Robby Thompson<\/strong> and Bill Doran<\/strong> in this spot.<\/p>\n If I had to pick one, I\u2019d lean toward Thompson for his larger sample size.\u00a0 However, since this is my post, I can declare a tie.<\/p>\n Robby Thompson – .393 and four long balls<\/strong><\/p>\n _______________<\/p>\n Catching Him in His Prime<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In 1992 & 1993, when Tom Glavine went a combined 42-15 (and led the NL in wins both times), Robby Thompson 11-for-18 (.611) against him, with two homers and three RBI in six games.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ______________<\/p>\n Thompson played 11 MLB seasons (1986-96), all for the Giants.\u00a0 He was a two-time All Star and one-time Gold Glover, who put up a .257-119-458 stat line. His four home runs off Glavine` tied for the most he hit against any MLB pitcher (he also had four versus Jose Rijo<\/strong>) and his 22 hits versus Glavine were the second most he had against any MLB pitcher (he hit .424 with 23 hits versus Fernando Valenzuela<\/strong>). \u00a0By contrast, Thompson hit .118, with nine hits in 48 at bats versus Greg Maddux<\/strong>, with three walks and 15 whiffs.<\/p>\n Bill Doran – .480 average, .606 on-base percentage.<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo: Indiana Blue Sox, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n Bill Doran<\/strong> was a .266 career MLB hitter (1982-93 \u2026 Astros, Reds, Brewers). He did, however, tag Tom Glavine for a .480 average (12-for-25) and drew eight walks versus Glavine, fanning just once (.606 on-base percentage \u2013 highest among batters with at least 25 at bats versus Glavine).\u00a0 Side note: If you use 25 plate appearances instead of at bats, Doran\u2019s OBP versus Glavine is second to Carlos Delgado\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0 .640. <\/em><\/p>\n ____________________________<\/strong><\/p>\n Bookends<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In his first seven career plate appearances versus Tom Glavine (August 17 & September 30, 1987), Bill Doran was on base six times (three singles and three walks). In his final eight plate appearance versus Glavine (October 2, 1991 and August 4 & September 9, 1992), Doran collected four walks and a pair of singles. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n _________________________________\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Doran\u2019s career stat line was .266-84-497, with 727 runs scored and 209 steals in 1,453 games. His best season was 1987, when he hit .283-16-79, with 82 runs scored and 31 steals for the Astros (and played in all 162 games).<\/p>\n Possible Trivia Question<\/em>: Which member of the Astros’ Hall of Fame matriculated in Oxford? (No, not that Oxford.)\u00a0 Bill Doran studied and played base ball for Miami University in Oxford, Ohio \u2013 where he hit .407-4-27 (45 games) in his final college season (1979). He was selected in sixth round of the 1979 MLB Draft.<\/p>\n Honorable Mention:<\/em> Luis Castillo<\/strong> hit .382-2-5 in 24 games versus Glavine (1996, 1999-2005, 2008). His 29 hits tied for the most career safeties against Glavine and he recorded them in the fewest at bats among the five players with 29 hits against Glavine. There was just a lot of competition at second base \u2013 and a three-way tie was too much to ask.<\/p>\n __________________________________<\/p>\n _________________________________<\/p>\n\n
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<\/a>Mike Redmond<\/strong>, a career .287 hitter over 13 seasons (1998-2010 \u2026 Marlins, Twins, Indians) hit Tom Glavine for a .438 average over 20\u00a0 games. Glavine was also one of only two pitchers that Redmond (who hit a total of 13 career homers) reached for two career home runs.\u00a0 As an unexpected side note: Redmond hit .500 (21-for-42 versus Glavine from 1998-2002), then went zero-for-nine in the final two seasons in which he faced him (2003-04).<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Redmond.jpg\")
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<\/a>Robby Thompson hit .393 (22-for-56) in 20 games against Tom Glavine. Perhaps as important is the fact that 13 of his 22 hits went for extra bases (eight doubles, one triple and four home runs). This gives him a .786 slugging percentage versus Glavine \u2013 second highest among players with at least 25 at bat versus Glavine. Thompson hit .500 or better versus Glavine in five of the nine seasons in which he faced him.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Thompson.jpg\")
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<\/a>Tim Wallach hit .367, with five home runs and 12 RBI against Glavine – and he gets extra credit because those numbers came between 1988-94 and included three of the five seasons in which Glavine led the league in wins. (1991-93). Over those three seasons, Wallach went 12-for-29 (.414) against Glavine, with three doubles, a triple, one home run and five RBI.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Wallachchuse.jpg\")
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