Hanson Notes: Ouch

Yes, Tommy Hanson's debut didn't go exactly as everyone hoped. As I write this, he's just out of the game having given up seven runs, six earned, in six innings. After an easy first go-round the Brewers lineup, he got banged around a bit. The Braves are down 7-5 so, knowing the Braves offense, I think it is safe to say that Hanson will end the game with a loss and a 9.00 ERA.

Should we worry? Is he going to live up to the hype?

Who the hell knows. Here is what I do know.

He took the spot in our rotation that Tom Glavine though he would be slotted into. In his first start for the Braves, Glavine gave up 6 runs in 3.2 innings to lose the game. His ERA at the end of that start was 14.73. In fact, each of his first four seasons in the big leagues were up and down. In 1991, he matured into one of the best pitchers in the game and will be in the hall of fame in the not so distant future.

One start is meaningless. There's no reason to worry about Tommy Hanson. No reason at all.

UPDATE: Hey! We won! No loss for Hanson. How awesome would it be for the offense and the bullpen to come through for a sustained period????