The Questions With Tom Glavine

What was your welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment?

One of my early spring trainings I was facing [former Yankees star] Don Mattingly. It was a 3- and-2 count, and I remember standing on the mound thinking, 'I'm just going to throw this guy a fastball and see how good he really is.' He hit a home run into the rightfield bleachers.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

One game at Wrigley Field, I got in the batter's box to hit, and the catcher pointed out I'd forgotten to take the donut off my bat.

What is one thing about being an athlete that the average fan wouldn't think about?

The attention can be difficult if you're a quiet, private person like myself. You're always on guard, feeling like people are watching you. You can't let yourself relax.

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd ...

be a hockey player.

If I were commissioner for a day, I'd ...

raise the mound and push the fences back.

LAST WEEK
Glavine, who is active in fighting childhood cancer through the Rally Foundation (rallyfoundation.org), pitched two shutout innings against St. Louis.

THIS WEEK
Glavine hopes to extend his pitch count, building up for Opening Day. He's 10 wins shy of 300.