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Tom Glavine is one of the greatest left-handed pitchers the game has ever known. The 5th southpaw to join the 300-win club, Glavine is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP. The five-time 20-game winner finished first, second, or third in Cy Young balloting six times.

He won 14 or more games in 13 different seasons. The 22-year MLB veteran was durable. He made 25 or more starts in all but his first and last years in the bigs. He made 30 or more starts in 17 season.

In the collection is a handwritten letter helping a school-aged fan earn extra credit. Penned from the road in Houston, the letter reads, “I just wanted to say hi and thank you for choosing me as the person you most admire. I’m not sure I’m worthy of this honor however, I appreciate it.

“The life advice question is not an easy one to answer…I guess one that has helped me is to treat others the way you want to be treated. I find that that has come into play a lot in my life.

“I hope this helps you out and that you get lots of extra credit. Good luck, Tom Glavine.”

Glavine teamed with Greg Maddux and John Smotlz to from the Atlanta Braves formidable pitching trio from 1993-1999.

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Tom Glavine broke in with the Braves in 1987. Atlanta lost at least 90 games in each of his first four seasons. In 1991 everything changed.

That season Glavine led the league in wins (20) and ERA+ (153). He pitched in the first of his 10 all star games and earned the Cy Young Award. His team went from worst to first, capturing the division title.

Glavine remained with Atlanta until 2002, reaching the postseason each year until he left. The highlight for the pitcher and his team came in 1995.

That season Glavine won 16 games, a Silver Slugger, and finished third in Cy Young balloting. The Braves beat Don Baylor’s Colorado Rockies in the NLDS then swept the Reds in the Championship Series. Glavine started one game in each series and posted a 1.92 ERA.

In the Fall Classic Atlanta defeated the Indians in six to capture the crown. Glavine won both of his starts, striking out 11 while giving up just four hits. His World Series ERA was a miniscule 1.29. In the deciding sixth game, Glavine allowed one hit in eight innings to secure the championship. For his efforts he was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

In the collection is a lineup card from that magical year. The July 14th contest featured Glavine on the hill. The Braves and Glavine won this one 6-2 as Glavine scattered seven hits and two runs over his eight innings of work. It was the 117th of his 305 career wins.

The card is signed at the bottom by Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox.

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Tommy Glavine came up to the Braves under the tutelage of legendary pitching coach Leo Mazzone. In this questionnaire, Mazzone praises the preparation and mindset of the pitcher.

“He threw more often with less exertion, 60’6″ going down hill to a catcher,” Mazzone writes. “He taught himself how to be his own pitching coach in the game because he threw often under control.”

Mazzone preached the philosophy of his mentor Johnny Sain – throw more with focus on location instead of exertion. The success of the Braves pitching staff under Mazzone propelled the Braves to 14 consecutive postseason appearances.

The incredible accomplishments of his pitchers is not what comes to mind first for Mazzone. Instead it is his hurlers’ well-being and durability.

“The health of our pitching staff – that’s what I’m most proud of. Check the numbers and what the starting rotation was able to accomplish over that time. They didn’t miss a start.”

Some believe that both Mazzone and Sain should receive Cooperstown consideration for their time as pitching coaches.