Francoeur needs to take a hint or he’ll go nowhere in career
Let me start by saying that for as much as he was ridiculed and lampooned during his spectacular crash with the Braves — and later in his many miserable months as a New York Met — former hometown hero Jeff Francoeur is one of the nicest guys you’re ever going to meet. He’s one of the finest all-around athletes you’re going to find in baseball, or any pro sport.
But one day in the midst of Francoeur-mania here in Atlanta, when the lower profile of the Braves’ two whiz kids, Brian McCann, was just starting to ascend, hitting coach Terry Pendleton said something to me: “I think we’ve all been paying attention to the wrong guy.”
Francoeur, once projected to be a franchise staple in right field for the Braves, like Dale Murphy, was traded for the second time in 13 months Tuesday night when the Mets dealt him to the Texas Rangers. He is a perfect illustration of how talent, energy and effort doesn’t guarantee success. He was hitting only .237 with the Mets, after actually having a career rebound following the trade to New York in July of 2009 (hitting .311 after starting the year .250 with the Braves).
Francoeur is still young enough (26) and certainly talented enough to have a solid career. But he has two significant problems he needs to fix:
♦ 1.) He’s hard-headed. He’s immature. For as good a guy as he is, he had a difficult time taking advice from Braves teammates and coaches. He never learned patience. The result was him trying to battle out of a slump himself. He pressed. Daily. Baseball can afford a hitter four chances a night and 24 to 28 in a week to break out of a slump. But that’s also more opportunities to go borderline psycho if an athlete doesn’t handle situations correctly. Francoeur didn’t handle things correctly. He opted for psycho.
♦ 2.) Francoeur’s representation has been poor. Baseball players don’t have salary leverage early in their careers. They must take what teams give them and wait until arbitration rights come around. McCann and his agent did so without a peep. Then in 2007, the Braves gave him a six-year contract. Conversely, Francoeur received bad advice from his agent, Molly Fletcher. They were unhappy with the Braves’ annual offers. Braves’ management rolled their eyes.
Then a few weeks ago, when Francoeur was being platooned, Fletcher actually requested a trade from the Mets, telling the Newark Star-Ledger: “We want to play every day.”
You want to make your client look bad real quick? Request a trade when he’s in a 15-for-88 slump.
Francoeur’s career is dropping parts on the highway. It’s not what anybody envisioned when he appeared on the Sports Illustrated cover five years ago this week. But guys labeled, “The Natural,” generally have more than talent.
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175 comments Add your comment
Rusty
September 1st, 2010
8:59 am
1st
BravesFan2010
September 1st, 2010
9:00 am
He needs a big slice of humble pie. I really hope he gets it together.
Not Don Waddell
September 1st, 2010
9:02 am
Just like George Lombard, he should have played football.
hammerhead
September 1st, 2010
9:05 am
Sad to see. Hopefully, this stop with the Rangers will be a turning point for Francoeur – You’re on the mark with this one, Jeff. Maybe he’ll opt for different representation and his career will make a turn for the better.
LT
September 1st, 2010
9:07 am
@BravesFan2010 don’t judge a guys character by his agent, they don’t always go hand in hand.
Matt_t
September 1st, 2010
9:07 am
So much attention is still played to an OF who is replacement level at best. I dont’ really understand it at this point. He’s now two teams removed from here. I know he went to high school here but so did many other players (Brandon Phillips, Corey Patterson to name a couple) who don’t have their every move reported on.
I agree with you Jeff, but it seems like he still hasn’t realized he’s not a star
Navigator
September 1st, 2010
9:08 am
He’s uncoachable, and the reason why doesn’t really matter. He’s not selective, doesn’t know the strike stone, and he swings too hard on breaking balls, missing or mishitting most of them. Reputation at the plate follows him everywhere he goes, and when the book on his hitting is written, only he can change the information. Once again, the guy with the most press coming up, is seldom the guy who goes to Cooperstown.
Tate
September 1st, 2010
9:08 am
He probably would’ve been a stellar QB! But for Frenchy, it’s just been a reluctance to make adjustments at the plate. There’s a big difference between AAAAA High School pitching and Big League pitching. No adjustments + hardhead = .235
bufbox
September 1st, 2010
9:15 am
Not Don Wadell … Baseball was his best bet as a pro. How many white DB’s make the NFL? … very few for whatever reason.
I like Jeff… hope he turns it around.
Smack
September 1st, 2010
9:16 am
Amen!
right field
September 1st, 2010
9:17 am
I will take our new hard working rightfielder over Frenchy everyday. Alot of it comes from where they grew up and how they were brought up. Frenchy from Gwinett County and Parkveiw when they were a dynasty in every sport. Heyward from south Henry County. Frenchy was rewarded with praise at an early age and had a football scholarship and baseball carrer handed to him at an early age. Heyward focused on one sport and with the help of his family drove an hour and half everday to “work” on his life goal, baseball. (I wouldn’t drive from McDonough to East Cobb everyday on a bet.) Heyward worked in the shadows until his senior year. Frenchy was the face of high school sports for a couple of years. His enflated perception of his own talent is a by product of the spotlight he received at such an early age. Now, ESPN now wants to cram little league baseball and high school football down our throats. Problem might only get worse in coming years. Go Braves good luck Frenchy.
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2010
9:19 am
Not Don Waddell — Jeff definitely still has a football player’s mentality.
Jeff Schultz
September 1st, 2010
9:21 am
Right field — Working hard isn’t an issue for Francoeur. It’s working smart.
Tim Tebow's Tears
September 1st, 2010
9:22 am
I’ve personally met him and not just casually, he’s not a good person. He cheated on his fiance at the time and acts extremely immature. I hope he gets it together for the sake of his family and talents he’s been given.
BugKiller
September 1st, 2010
9:23 am
In the realm of sports regrets, just how much does Francoeur regret not going to Clemson to play football?
I mean, as immature and stubborn as he is, who knows if he would have succeeded there, either, but football coaches have a way of breaking you down, almost like a military drill instructor, and then building you back up to become a useful part of the team.
I think for many in Atlanta, Francoeur lost us when he bitched and moaned and cried to the media about being sent down to the minors when we ALL saw that would be the best thing for him and the team at the time. That’s probably when he also lost Bobby Cox, too.
BugKiller
September 1st, 2010
9:27 am
TTT, salacious details aside, Jeff Francoeur always came off to me as the jerk-hole high school guy who was a big thing and got away with everything in high school because of his athletic abilities.
Parkview seems to turn out a BUNCH of these kind of guys.
While BMac seems like the guy who really is down to earth.
Jim
September 1st, 2010
9:27 am
if ANYONE can turn the kid around it will be Texas’ hitting coach. That man is awesome. Didn’t he get andrew over the mendoza line?
T-Bone
September 1st, 2010
9:30 am
Teabows’ Tears — Please be careful what you say. It is not appropriate to plaster your “knowledge” of Jeff’s supposed cheating on his fiance on this blog. Without proof, this feels too much like slander.
Webster Riverside
September 1st, 2010
9:31 am
******BREAKING NEWS******
This just in. He’s just not a very good hitter.
Tim Tebow's Tears
September 1st, 2010
9:34 am
T-Bone- Agreed. I shouldn’t get too detailed. I was merely trying to point out he should change and I hope he will…
Carlos
September 1st, 2010
9:35 am
I think #2 is what help Frenchy fail. Instead of accepting the initial offer from the Braves and then playing his way to a bigger payday, he got greedy, asked for more, put himself under unnecessary pressure and he stunk. Then he had the audacity of asking for a raise after batting around .228. Bad way of handling things and it has continued to haunt him. look at McCann. accepted the Braves offer and had that off of his head. No pressure.
Herschel Talker
September 1st, 2010
9:35 am
Schultzie:
He’s stubborn. Plain and simple. Until he humbles himself, he’ll always be wasted talent.
HT
dap01
September 1st, 2010
9:35 am
He is a 5 tool player without the speed, average and power.
Jeff summed it up well.
Tami
September 1st, 2010
9:35 am
I agree, Jeff, with the entire article as well as your blog comment: “Working smart”. That would apply to anyone wishing to excel in anything. I do hope Jeff drops his agent and gets a capable one (anyone other than Boras), and implements any advice offered him. He’s a good guy, but is still a kid on the inside. A little humility and a little maturity will drop-kick that out of him. I wish him well. What a drastic change for him: Going from a non-contender to a contender in a matter of a couple of hours! Not many players with his inconsistent stats get that kind of opportunity. Just glad he’s not a Met anymore. He sure can hit the Braves…geesh!
Zach Johnson
September 1st, 2010
9:36 am
When you base a guy’s career expectations on what he did in high school, its a pretty safe bet you’ll be let down. Great story and I coulf not agree more. Now its time for a story on Kelly “wet blanket” Johnson aka Mr. Potential.
ICEMANcometh10
September 1st, 2010
9:39 am
PRIDE always before the fall……………………….
ATL Sports
September 1st, 2010
9:40 am
Rudy Jaramillo, the Texas Rangers hitting coach that worked with andrew and others is now with the Cubs.
Willy
September 1st, 2010
9:41 am
He has a good arm. That’s about all he has going for him.
GT BABY
September 1st, 2010
9:43 am
JEFF SUCKS, NEVER LIKED HIM! ( HAS A GREAT ARM THOUGH )
Barton
September 1st, 2010
9:50 am
Good article Schultzy. I was actually having this exact conversation with a friend last night when they started talking about the trade to the Rangers during the game. Isn’t Frenchy in tight with the Rangers’ hitting coach? Can’t say I’m too excited about a guy who’s been a major disappointment getting an opportunity to play for a World Series, but who am I to wish bad things on nice people. Can’t wait for Freeman!
Hot Phone Sex Princess
September 1st, 2010
9:50 am
Lousy tipper.
SenseiKreese
September 1st, 2010
9:50 am
“Molly”? Who has a female agent? That’s the problem.
Sonny Clusters
September 1st, 2010
10:03 am
Proximity to Dairy Queens is very good now.
Ralph
September 1st, 2010
10:07 am
How does he rebuild into “a solid career” when his biggest asset (his arm) is benched as a lousy pinch hitter against lefties?
PMC
September 1st, 2010
10:07 am
Isn’t Jaramillo still with Texas? This is good for Frenchy.
11 outfield assists say he still plays really well defensively.
PMC
September 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Someone might need to tell his agent to freaking pipe down though. Wow is she bad for his PR.
Just Wondering
September 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Jeff Francoeur fell victim to hype. Pure and simple. When he stepped on a MLB diamond for the first time, he immediately bought in to the accolades and stopped working to improve and grow. He thought he was a guarantee just like the media did. He enjoyed success in his first couple of years, but then got lazy and acquired a higher opinion of himself than the numbers warranted. And apparently he still hasn’t learned – you’re not going to play everyday by hitting .235 with little production – and you’re not entitled to just because you were once proclaimed a “can’t miss.” Dale Murphy won the MVP in 1982 – and then proceeded to play winter call to work on his hitting. That’s how good player becomes great, and in the process gains a lot of resepct.
PMC
September 1st, 2010
10:09 am
If my agent cost me 25 million…. I think I’d be looking for a new agent.
Sam
September 1st, 2010
10:11 am
Molly??? LOL!! That sums it all up.
Braveforlife
September 1st, 2010
10:11 am
A friend of mine had a son on the various teams at Parkview with Frenchy. He’s always talking about how great Frenchy was at Parkview as if that will translate to MLB! Bradley stated that during Frenchy’s senior year, he was 1 for 7 in the championship game, the one hit being a homerun. That has been Frenchy’s MO since coming into the Braves system. Swing hard, just in case you hit something…unfortunately he doesn’t ‘hit something’ very often and seemingly has no interest in changing. I’m afraid he’ll be another 30 something with no college degree in a few years.
Jonas Grumby
September 1st, 2010
10:14 am
MattT … It’s news because Frenchy played for the Braves, was productive for them, and was thought to be a franchise player. Those other guys (and there are a ton of them) didn’t play here. Plus, he’s still young enough to turn his career back around. But Jeff is dead on about both of those problems.
Paddy
September 1st, 2010
10:14 am
Bug Killer….Being a jerk does not hurt you in baseball. Being a stubborn jerk will send you to the house. Good jerks; Ty Cobb, Milt Pappas, Thurman Munson, Doc Ellis, Spaceman Bill Lee to name just a few.
Dawg Fud
September 1st, 2010
10:15 am
I disagree that he should have played football. He has great baseball talent, just having a hard time putting it into action.
I hope he gets it figured out and crushes it.
adam
September 1st, 2010
10:15 am
its not the agents fault.
DirtybyrdATL4life
September 1st, 2010
10:17 am
I played with this guy @ Parkview on the baseball & football team…he’s an awesome athlete & talent…but in tlking to a recent coach of my old high school, he said Jeff hasnt changed his ways one bit…this was in HIGH SCHOOL people. He needs to eat a whole humble pie, drink a glass of decency milk, & get his Sugar Honey Ice Tea 2gether!
But Most importantly, GO BRAVES!
Alphare
September 1st, 2010
10:18 am
I don’t really mean pointing fingers at his parents, the year before, they were on TV like crazy. It’s like Frenchy was some big star with a meager 2 years of service. I was thinking, man, this is still early, he is not a star yet like Chipper.
Joey
September 1st, 2010
10:22 am
Jeff, isn’t the hitting coach who helped Frenchy before the ‘09 season still with the Rangers? If so, maybe he can get him back on track.
PMC
September 1st, 2010
10:24 am
This is outhouse to the penthouse for Jeff. This is fantastic. He gets another shot at the postseason. If he gets on a hot streak watch out. He’s just got to get the average up to everyday major leaguer quality. If he can hit .275 over the course of a year he’ll be golden again.
Hillbilly Deluxe
September 1st, 2010
10:29 am
“We want to play every day.”
Get on base and you’ll play everyday. The difference between a .250 hitter and a .300 hitter is 1 hit a week, 5-20, as opposed to 6-20. The little things really do matter.
Jeff, isn’t the hitting coach who helped Frenchy before the ‘09 season still with the Rangers?
No, Rudy Jaramillo is with the Cubs and they haven’t exactly torn the cover off the ball, this year. That’s not a knock on Rudy but the Hitting Coach doesn’t get any at bats. The players have to do it themselves.
ed simmons
September 1st, 2010
10:41 am
His career may not be going great right now but he has made more money all ready than most of us can dream about. Terry P has been a big part of his problem.
bufbox
September 1st, 2010
10:43 am
who ur wife? … Coach Ballbreaker?
Jordan Darnell
September 1st, 2010
10:45 am
Just so u know he addressed those rumors about him wanting to be played or traded on TV on sportsnite NY and said it wasn’t true. Just another typical NY article to turn fans against him, it worked for some others not so well. I am a huge Franceour fan and followed him on the Mets daily ( always took a back seat to my braves tho) and will continue to do so with the Rangers,(thanks 2 direct Tv mlb package) I’m reading all these comments and was wondering if I should respond or not, as we are al entitled to our own opinions. I know the guy’s not perfect, but in each of the times I’ve met him he’s been really nice and always made time for the fans, he is a great guy who struggles at the plate, and I would be a fool to be blind to this. I wish him a successful career, and will remain a fan.
Love the Braves in NC
September 1st, 2010
10:46 am
Excellent article, Jeff, right on the money. I have always liked Francoeur – still do – but of the two GOOD reasons you stated above, #1 is probably foremost. He has to fix himself first then assess his representation.
Ted M
September 1st, 2010
10:50 am
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington is much better for hitters maybe that will help. Then again maybe that will encourage him to swing for the fences and he gets worse.
Ted M
September 1st, 2010
10:53 am
I wonder if JF’s red hot start this year delayed maturing as a patient hitter.
roja
September 1st, 2010
10:58 am
Best of luck Frenchy. You STILL make McClouth and Church look like A-ball players with your defense, your arm and, yes, even your bat!!!
Dan
September 1st, 2010
10:58 am
Tebow’s Tears – You’re right. I happen to know at least one of the ladies he fooled around with. He used to troll around Peachtree Tavern looking for more ladies.
roja
September 1st, 2010
10:59 am
Lest we forget, the Rangers have the best hitting coach in all of baseball…..
DP
September 1st, 2010
11:06 am
Please, enough about Francouer’s alleged talent and how he could hit major league pitching if he just adjusted his approach. How many thousands of at bats flailing at high fastballs and sliders in the dirt does it take before people realize that he’s not even a marginal major league hitter for a corner outfielder?
Ted M
September 1st, 2010
11:07 am
Hurdle was named the team’s hitting coach on Nov. 5, 2009…he will be just the Rangers’ second hitting coach in the last 16 seasons (1995-2010) and is the only new addition on the club’s 2010 staff.
not sure he’s the best?
vmguru
September 1st, 2010
11:08 am
For those of us old enough to remember, Francoeur unfortunately became another Brad Komminsk.
Les W. Moore
September 1st, 2010
11:09 am
Your appraisal of JF seems believable. So how does a coddled millionaire professional jock learn humility?
If he plays one or two more years in MLB, then he’ll be years ahead of his classmmates from Parkview. So if he loses, he’s already won.
John Russell
September 1st, 2010
11:14 am
Did anyone ever think by now that he simply does not have enough talent to play? Since when does Sports Illustrated prove correct when it comes to judging talent.
Francoeur-Nice guy that thought he was better than he was or ever will be. Over under in the show? I call it three years max and that includes a combined 300 games or less including the DH role however who needs a DH that strikes out with his stats.
He simply does not have major league talent. When does everyone FINALLY figure it out? Answer is after 2011 when he is outright released and then assigned to any designated team.
Where can you find that Braves contract then, Frenchy? I shed NO tears for him.
Lots of nice guys in the show and minors….Enough said.
McCann is class act and has the respect from EVERY ball player in both leagues. He is headed to the HOF and you won’t hear him complaining or with the Francoeur famous quotes that he is too good to be sent down. How bout being sent down to A ball now with Jose Conseco?
82Dawg
September 1st, 2010
11:14 am
Sounds like it is time for a new agent, that actually understands when to open their mouth and when not to.
Dr. Phil
September 1st, 2010
11:16 am
I don’t doubt that Francoeur is a good guy, and I wish him well. Just not with the Braves. No question that agents are parasites and do great harm to players’ reputations with the fans.
SickandTired
September 1st, 2010
11:16 am
So let me get this straight from the posters above….he should have played football, his agent is a jerk, he is stubborn and doesn’t work right, and he has no wienee and he’s trolling for women at Peachtree Tavern. My God, all this because he doesn’t have patience at the plate or is it just the other way around? He always seemed like a good kid n high school, he’s making more money than most of the people in this forum and he’s going to a contender. The only thing he can’t work on is that wienee thing but hopefully he’ll get past that too.
Stuart
September 1st, 2010
11:28 am
He needs to cut back on his free swinging at the plate… Needs more discipline and patience at the plate…
Coach
September 1st, 2010
11:29 am
GUys, not to say that he wasn’t an outstanding high school talent but have you seen how many scrubs there are playing high school sports?!?!?!?! More than half of any team isn’t going to play at the next level. Half of those kids are only playing because they happen to be the best option at that position.
There is an astronomical difference between even pitchers in A ball than your average high school pitcher. The fact that he had as much success as he did during those first couple of years is remarkable considering he swings the same not matter the pitch or the location.
The league has learned his tendencies at the plate and I would bet that he will continue to put up similar numbers until he changes pretty much everything about his approach/swing.
Delbert D.
September 1st, 2010
11:29 am
Clemson could still use him at safety.
Dr. Warren
September 1st, 2010
11:31 am
Seems it is a skills problem, not a talent problem.
reno
September 1st, 2010
11:33 am
As I posted over a year ago, I still believe that Francoeur has vision problems stemming from his minor league facial fracture/orbit injury. I contend that this has developed over time, with scarring or other progressive deterioration causing a diminution in his ability to “track the baseball” in flight. This is something that would not be picked up on routine eye examinations which only measure “static” visual acuity. What else explains his “stubborness” in his approach to hitting? He constantly “guesses,” (ie. makes decision to swing even before pitch is thrown) and as a result of this approach, Jeff has the highest “swing at first pitch” percentage in MLB. To explain this as persistent “stubborness” and “pride” is just plain foolishless. Nobody is this stubborn or this proud. Jeff is only 26. It is unthinkable that he has lost all of the natural athletic ability that he has been blessed with so early in his life. So again, I contend that it all comes down to the old baseball addage, “see ball, hit ball.” Francouer, sadly, can’t see the baseball in flight well enough to use the talent with which he is so abundantly blessed. It is a crying shame, to say the least.
ps. McClouth has similar problem. He can’t track the pitch in flight well enough to square it up on the barrel. (and that “one-handed” tennis swing of his is abominable!)
L R
September 1st, 2010
11:34 am
The best hitting instructor is here in Atlanta and he has been J. Heyward’s tutor since he was 15yrs old.. Not to mention D. Fowler, A. McClutchen and Kyle Parker’s too..C.J.Stewart can turn you around Jeff, just call him..
DoninTococca
September 1st, 2010
11:38 am
Just finished the Sandy Koulfax book and what a read. Jeff, please take some time to think some about what is going on and please … talk to a great baseball mind and person, Bobby Cox. He won’t stear you wrong and frankly, you can use it. It is NOT too late but NOW is the time to get yourself in line for a good career in a great sport.
DP
September 1st, 2010
11:47 am
Reno, that’s a nice rationalization, but the player who has had actual documented vision problems is McCann, and it hasn’t stopped him from being an outstanding major league hitter. In addition to their differences in ability to recognize pitches, look at McCann’s swing relative to Francouer’s. Francouer looks like he’s chopping wood.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
11:48 am
the dude is done. won’t make adjustments, won’t learn to be patient, won’t even try something else.
After his contract is out, who is going to pay the $5million asking price that Molly Hatchet is going to ask for?
Why pay $5mill for a RF that hits .240, 11HRs, and drives in 60 runs?
you can get that production anywhere, and for much less.
Jeff Francoeur Baseball Academy…..coming soon to Lilburn.
Bets
September 1st, 2010
11:51 am
Go Frenchy!!!!!!
We still luv ya.
Wouldn’t it be ironic: Texas Rangers vs. Atlanta Braves world series?
You still want to bet against Jeff when he comes to bat?
Hope ur back in Atlanta some day. OR the YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We Drink This State
September 1st, 2010
11:51 am
The kid always had an ego the size of the state of Texas, so he’s where he belongs. All hat and no cattle.
Ted Striker
September 1st, 2010
11:52 am
Fletcher did a much better job repping John Smoltz during his playing career however not so sure she helped him as much toward the end.
An agent who touts herself as “the female Jerry McGuire” on her website comes across a little as someone who has an idea that maybe it’s more about her than her clients. Worldwide Wes isn’t even a sports agent — and athletes and others beat his door down just to get a connection.
Meanwhile, Molly Fletcher is hawking autographed copies of her book for $15.70
If I were Francoeur, I’d tell her to go into the kitchen and bake me some biscuits and then I’d fire her.
JEB
September 1st, 2010
11:56 am
Brian Jordan, after growing in football
turned around and went the Baseball
route.
Frenchy should consider the opposite
before it’s too late.
He could be GREAT there!
Pedro Cerrano
September 1st, 2010
11:56 am
I’d like to see the Fox SportsSouth “Up Close” segment again…just for laughs!
Just Saying...
September 1st, 2010
11:57 am
Reliable Schultz, saying what needs to be said.
Kapoonka
September 1st, 2010
12:00 pm
He lacks finesse and judgement. This guy has all the tools, but with no idea on how to use them he will continue to falter. He played himself with the Braves…..seems the same thing happened with the Mets. Perhaps his ego has shunk enough for him to absorb a little advice. He’s young enough to rebound, and I hope he will.
wayn-o
September 1st, 2010
12:01 pm
need a “like” button
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
12:05 pm
Bets,
Sure I would bet against a .237 free-swinger like Jeff every time.
There’s a reason he’s hitting .237, and it ain’t bad luck.
Keep luvin’ on him just cause he’s a hometown kid and a high school hero.
Eraserhead
September 1st, 2010
12:06 pm
Just compare Frenchy to Jason Heyward. Jason has a disciplined approach to the strike zone and Jeff is just a hacker. Heyward is a baseball player in every way while Francoeur is a football player trying to play baseball, much like Lombard.
Harvey
September 1st, 2010
12:09 pm
An overpaid prima donna, and just a flash-in-the-pan.
sad brotha
September 1st, 2010
12:12 pm
Excellent piece! Francoeur got a pass in the ATL due to his home-boy status. That same pass doesn’t follow one who is far away from home. He needed to fly the coop years ago and grow up. Being nice can prolong a career and this is proven with his anemic batting average. He’ll be out of baseball within two years.
Lou Brown
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
His maturity was an issue early in his career. It was not helped by the Braves rushing him to the majors in the middle of the 2005 season. He could have benefited from more seasoning and instruction in the minors, or possibly going the 2-sport route in college. As it now stands, he is damaged goods.
Will
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
Jeff:
I have talked to two reliable sources close to the Ranger organization this morning.
It appears the Rangers will most likely make no effort to keep Jeff beyond the end of this season.
It has been heartbreaking to see a nice kid like Jeff, an athlete with tremendous potential, come to the end of the road at such a young age.
Who would have EVER thought that Kyle Davies might last longer in the big leagues than our former golden boy from Parkview.
CarpetBagger
September 1st, 2010
12:14 pm
Millions wasted on a below-average player… and he is still playing? What idiots! H
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
12:15 pm
Maybe there are some Lassiter High School pitchers that pitch in the American League.
According to SportsSouth “Up Close” segment he was able to mash some high school pitching.
Long Time Braves Fan
September 1st, 2010
12:17 pm
Recently when Francoeur hit a game winning home run to lift the Mets to a win over the Braves he celebrated as if he had just won the World Series. He later told the press that running the bases he felt like he was “in the clouds” or something to that effect. Give me a break. That should give some insight to where his head is at. It’s not like the Braves mistreated and that was one of the few things he did this season to help his current team. To shove one shining moment in the face of the team that gave him his first chance only to be let down wss bush league. I give him two more years in MLB before he’s done.
Greg
September 1st, 2010
12:17 pm
Jeff Francouer is John Rocker without the racism.
Kentavo
September 1st, 2010
12:18 pm
Isn’t there an Irish pub in Savannah named Molly Fletcher’s?
Nick Mileti
September 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
Anybody remember the name Joe Charboneau?
This is a case of history repeating itself.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
12:21 pm
Remember when Jeff was struggling here in Atlanta, and the Braves sent him back to AA to work on his swing.
It’s my understanding from talking with people within the organization that Jeff requested to go to AA because he knew that the pitching would be a little easier to handle, therefore making it easier for him to hit.
AAA pitching is not that much different than big league pitching, and at the time he wasn’t hitting big league pitching, so he wanted nothing to do with AAA pitching.
And if i do recall he did make a big stink about being sent down and how that was unfair of the Braves to send him down, after all, he’s The Natural.
Oh yeah Jeff…..that’s a real class act and a nice guy.
Pop Fisher
September 1st, 2010
12:26 pm
Undisciplined, Uncoachable, and soon to be Unemployed.
jsatt32
September 1st, 2010
12:29 pm
I don’t know Jeff personally, however, I have met him numerous times getting autographs and actually hung out with him and Brian McCann one night at Wild Bills when they were there for a concert and Brian’s bachelor party. Jeff is one of the most fan friendly players I have ever seen. He seems to be a good guy and come from a home where he was raised right by his parents!
We are in a time where if a player does not produce, they are not liked as a person. Fans need to learn to keep these two catagories seperate. I don’t hear fans bashing Heyward personally! I hope Jeff gets it together (in baseball) and lives up to the talent that everyone knows he has and is capable of producing!
gtmike
September 1st, 2010
12:31 pm
Jeff is not a nice guy except maybe to reporters. He’s a typical idiot jock in normal life.
All I'm Saying...
September 1st, 2010
12:32 pm
Baseball is about making adjustments. Pitchers test you when you first make it to the Bigs in terms of determining whether you can handle a major league fastball. Once you prove that you can (which Francoeur did), they then test you to see if you can handle the breaking pitch (which Francoeur did initially). After that, they then test you to see if they can get you to chase pitches out of the strike zone, basically trying to determine if you are a disciplined and smart batter. Francoeur continues to fail this test.
Frenchy bats like a football player: go hard at the first thing you see moving towards you. Don’t think about what happened your last at bat, what pitch came before, what the count is, or even who is pitching and their tendencies. And to top it all off we hear that he is stubborn i.e. I’ll do it my way. No wonder he has never improved as a hitter. .237 is about right for him. And what’s worse for him is that in the American League, he will see even more breaking balls out of the strike zone.
I don’t care who the hitting instructor is, if a player won’t take advice in the batting cage and/or won’t take advice with them from the batting cage to an actual plate appearance, then they have no chance at succeeding.
I say Frenchy should pull a reverse-Ankiel and become a pitcher to salvage his major league career. If he has trouble getting his fastball over then he should take up the knuckler as with that pitch, one can play until they are 50.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
Cornholio
September 1st, 2010
12:33 pm
With his arm, I bet Jeff could make a good pitcher if his pride would allow him to go down to the minors for a few years and learn. Ankiel became an outfielder after being a pitcher. It would just be a waste if he didn’t pursue some other path in baseball with that good of an arm before he is too old.
JF McNamara
September 1st, 2010
12:33 pm
It’s Terry Pendleton’s fault…just kidding. He’s a flawed player, and he’s not going to ever be anything more than he is right now barring a personality transplant. He’d be a great safety in the NFL though.
Rusty
September 1st, 2010
12:35 pm
Jeff Francoeur is the definition of the entitled, “me first” athlete that a lot of us are tired of. A lot of Braves fans stuck by Jeff as his numbers steadily decreased and his star began to wane. The hissy fit he threw when the club sent him down to the minors FOR TWO DAYS was, for me, the straw that broke the camel’s back. A mature player would have used what should have been at least 3 weeks in the minors to improve his game and regain some of his confidence. Jeff didn’t see it that way, cried to the clubhouse and made a stink in the press, before returning to Atlanta and his slumping ways. He didn’t last much longer.
All of that could have been forgotten, but after the trade, Jeff ran his mouth to the press again, this time bad-mouthing not only the organization, but also THE FANS.
I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed watching him flounder.
Now, it appears he’s well on his way to becoming a journeyman, and we all know what that means for someone his age.
Jesse Stone
September 1st, 2010
12:37 pm
Frenchie traded? This can’t be true, because Christopher Chance kept saying just yesterday that the Mets were going to offer him arbitration. he said, “there’s no way the Mets don’t offer him arbitration”. Ha anyone heard from Christopher Chance today?
Oh No
September 1st, 2010
12:38 pm
I wonder how he’d do in Japan?
Turtsnap
September 1st, 2010
12:43 pm
I remember reading the statement from his agent. I got a kick out of the “we” aspect in everything the agent said.
Bets
September 1st, 2010
12:45 pm
Braves vs. Rangers world series.
Atlanta west vs. Atlanta east.
All of Schurholtz bad deals come back to bite him in the azz.
Brock
September 1st, 2010
12:45 pm
He’s a booger harvester. Everytime the camera is on him his finger is halfway up his nose. Must have learned that from Bobby.
Oh, and he sucks. Never liked the guy.
Jesse Stone
September 1st, 2010
12:46 pm
“All of Schuerholz’s bad deals” equates to two players on Texas.
Bets
September 1st, 2010
12:48 pm
And where is Mark Texiera?
The Texas Express
September 1st, 2010
12:52 pm
If he doesn’t produce in Texas, Nolan Ryan will give him the same treatment he gave to Robin Ventura!
Ostrich Racer
September 1st, 2010
12:55 pm
The best assessment of Francoeur’s problems came during his last weeks with Atlanta, from no less an authority than Chipper: “He’s talking to 500 people about how to fix his swing. And he’s listening to every one of them.” Like Schultz said, he has a problem with working smart.
Nick: I remember Charbonneau — could open beer bottles with his teeth.
JTH
September 1st, 2010
1:02 pm
Heyward>Francouer so nobody misses Coverboy(more concerned with making the cover of a magazine than becoming a better ballplayer).
Next August the Rangers will release him to preserve their playoff chances..
snakedoctor
September 1st, 2010
1:08 pm
I mentioned to one of the announcers on 640 when Jeff hit his first homerun, I hope he will not end up like Brad Kommsik? I wonder long will Jeff be in the league. Great defensive player. I hope he is able to rebound. Find him a good hitting coach in the offseason. Work being selective at the plate and level the swing more for better contact. Then I believe he will do will later on.
Coach
September 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
There are plenty of nice guys out there who are uncoachable. The biggest problem I see is that he still looks like he is in high school when he swings. Look at his swing compared to so many others. He’s just up there guessing and hacking. You can get away with that when you are facing scrub highschool pitching.
Some people peak faster than others and therefore get passed by later on. I played with a kid in little league that was a stud. Everyone just knew he was special. Byt the time we graduated highschool he was a #9 hitter hitting about .230. If you can’t hit .300 in highschool you aren’t a very good hitter.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
Snake doctor,
what makes you think that Frenchy will all of a sudden abandon his approach at the plate and his way of playing. After all, it did get him to the bigs. Problem is, his way of playing won’t keep him in the bigs.
Talent will get you so far, and then you better have something to back it up.
McCann came up right about the same time as Jeff. McCann didn’t burst on the scene with magazine covers like Jeff, but what McCann does better than most is make adjustments. He learned how big league pitchers were going to pitch him, and he adjusted his approach and what he was trying to do. Jeff just keeps doing the same thing, expecting different results cimply because he’s trying hard.
Guthro
September 1st, 2010
1:17 pm
Francoeur has a character problem. There’s no sign that it’s changing.
Gary O.
September 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
Lets not forget how upset Frenchy was, because the Braves had the nerves to send him down to AAA. What kind of attitude is that?
What about Rick Ankiel? He swings hard at everything too, just in case he hits it.
Since coming over to the Braves, I think Ankiel strikes out almost 40% of the time. That’s horrible.
And it’s not like his average is that good (under .250).
Braves Fan Since "80
September 1st, 2010
1:19 pm
If it were easy we would be players…. Jeff is human and not without faults but his faults are his own…… It’s one thing to have a JD Drew career and never live up to your potential or an Andruw Jones and never quite make it
Jeff has been overpaid and overrhyped….. he is no Ryan Klesko! He is just a media blip…… wish him well
Coach
September 1st, 2010
1:21 pm
Also, to the poster who doesn’t think there is a big difference between AAA pitching and MLB pitching, you are sorely mistaken my friend. There is a reason those hitters aren’t in the bigs. Most hitters can skip AAA if they are truly ready. Also, there is a huge difference for the pitchers as well. There is a reason so many AAA guys who are lights out come up and get shelled.
Don’t ever mistake how good the vast majority of Major Leaguers are at what they do.
Blue
September 1st, 2010
1:21 pm
By the way, Jeff…I nearly puked when I heard his female agent saying “we want to play every day” and “we” this and “we” that. As I am fond of saying…sounds like she has pronoun trouble!
Largo
September 1st, 2010
1:22 pm
I had it with Francoeur when he whined so much about being sent down. Didn’t care much for him after that . . . still don’t. Anyway, we have a right fielder now who will be much better than Frenchy. Heyward does, however, need to cure his “wall shyness.”
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
1:28 pm
Braves Fan Since ‘80,
No one is saying that we could hit better than him. No one is saying they don’t have faults, but when complain to the media because your employer sends you down to AA to work on your swing or you bitch and complain to the media that you want more playing time, you better prove them wrong by hitting higher than .237.
In your mind is any .237 hitter worth the money he’s making ($5million)
Coach
September 1st, 2010
1:28 pm
Braves fan since ‘80- By Andruw Jones “not making it” were you referring to his winning 10 consecutive Gold Gloves, his average of 33 HR and 100 RBI over that same time frame, or the fact that he’s hit over 400 HR over his career (majority of those were in ATl) and will be inducted into the HOF as a bRave. WHich one of these qualifies as “not making it”???
Skeezix
September 1st, 2010
1:31 pm
He has a ton of talent but a lack of patience at the plate is his problem and until he learns to make MLB pitchers throw him strikes, he’ll continue to struggle. When he finally realizes that, things will turn around for him. I believe the hitting coach at Texas suppose to be really good.
Billy Ray Valentine
September 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
Coach,
If you go back and read what I said, I said that AAA pitching is more like major league pitching than AA pitching.
From someone who’s been around AAA game, I can tell you, pitching is very close to MAJOR LEAGUE caliber.
How many picthers make the leap from AA to the bigs….can you name any?
Even King Stratsberg had a few weeks with Syracuse before making the jump to Washington.
So whatever high school you coach at, go back and sell crazy somewhere else, I’m all stocked up here.
Baseball Fan
September 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
Jeff Francouer is a product of Parkview High School, a school that in sports has always been arrogant, self-indulgent. His poor choice of agent Molly reflects his and his family’s expectations.
Sonny Clusters
September 1st, 2010
1:45 pm
Whoa! Hold on there! We was educated at Parkview High School, too, and we was always nice and friendly and never self-indulgent.
Bama Rules
September 1st, 2010
1:46 pm
He made a fatal error and began to believe everything that was written about him. Turned out to be fiction. His ego got between him and the ball. Good luck to the guy.
One dimensional dogs
September 1st, 2010
1:47 pm
The sad thing is his numbers aren’t that different from 4-5 braves everyday players. So you can see who’s carrying this team.
Iron-y Dan
September 1st, 2010
1:50 pm
Lots of good Clemson talk this time around. Even though he left the Tigers in the lurch and stomped Lassiter in the state championship circa 2002, I hope that dude figures it out. Anyone who has ever met him suggests he’s a good guy. I hope he can figure it out and have an awesome AL career.
FDAWG
September 1st, 2010
1:52 pm
Schultz….good article. I knew Frenchy was a head case but the part about his representation being less then spectacular was news to me. Insightful stuff…
Hammer This
September 1st, 2010
1:59 pm
To all you diehard baseball fans (sarcatically), the Texas hitting coach is now with the Cubs.
Hammer This
September 1st, 2010
2:02 pm
sarcastically
Region 1 5A fan
September 1st, 2010
2:07 pm
If Francouer does nothing else, I’m a fan because he helped whip Tift County while he was at Parkview. They deserved it.
Hammer This
September 1st, 2010
2:08 pm
The main reason pitcher’s don’t jump from AA to AAA is because the team’s continue to baby them along. And then they still wind up hurt (i. e., Strasburg)
Donny Corleone
September 1st, 2010
2:10 pm
Frenchy’s agent may be the female Jerry McGuire but Sonny Clusters is the male Miss Manners.
I Hate Tift County
September 1st, 2010
2:11 pm
Sure did Region 1 5A Fan. He killed them! How did Tift make it to the playoffs that year? They were terrible!
JON
September 1st, 2010
2:12 pm
Jeff has not been the same since he got hit in the face by the baseball. Does anyone remember this happening? I said at the time He might not ever be the same. It could all be in his head because of this.
North Gwinnett
September 1st, 2010
2:18 pm
Jeff is a great guy. Interesting, ya’ll mention Tift County though. We traveled to a game down there a few years ago. If Tift can get those officials every year, they shouldn’t ever lose. They cost us a trip to the dome that year.
59bulldawg
September 1st, 2010
2:22 pm
What an interesting and prophetic quote by TP! @ Right Field – I’m not sure but isn’t McCann from Gwinnett County too? If so how do you explain his success. I understand what you’re saying but don’t think affluence or early success has anything to do with it. Jason definitely seems to have it together at the moment but so did Francouer when he first came up. Frankly I just don’t understand how a person can seemingly just forget how to do the things that make them successful hitters but it also happened to Andruw as well. Yeah I know slumps happen but when batting averages start heading towards the Mendoza line and below it’s difficult to explain. Whatever the problem I hope he figures it out and has a solid career.
I Hate Tift County
September 1st, 2010
2:24 pm
North Gwinnet, its funny that you are talking about a different sport and I know exactly what game you are referring to.
skip
September 1st, 2010
2:26 pm
There is only one way JF can salvage his career…..he has to start hitting the ball to the off field.
North Gwinnett
September 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
Complete lack of class down there. I hope we never go down there again.
Region 1 5A fan
September 1st, 2010
2:34 pm
NG, don’t worry. They won’t sniff the playoffs as anything other than a 4 seed for the forseeable future. The Braves will win more games in October than Tift County.
Braves #17 Fan
September 1st, 2010
2:34 pm
He’ll get it together. He never had a shot at succeeding with a team he hated growing up.
Steve Skelton
September 1st, 2010
2:37 pm
Wow, you nailed it with that one. Nice guy, and a talented athlete, but if you are not coachable, you will never come close to your full potential. It’s a shame that he’s had to slide this far. I hope he figures it out sooner than later. He’s still young and has the chance to be very good for a long time if he learns how to learn from others.
gcs
September 1st, 2010
2:38 pm
I have to agree with being hard-headed and immature. I was so happy when the Braves sent him to AAA, because I thought it would teach him some humility. Unfortunately, there was an injury and he was immediately brought back up.
I knew he had to be traded from the Braves, away from his mommy & daddy, away from Parkview High School and comforts of home. I really thought playing in New York would knock that chip off his shoulder and teach him to focus but it did not.
I don’t expect him to do much better in Texas. I would wager he is waived after this season and will not get too many good offers.
.
I Hate Tift County
September 1st, 2010
2:49 pm
I think Stephenson goes down to Tifton next week. Should put a whippin on them. Those Blue Devils make a lot of noise early on but then quickly die with a whimper. Their reputation quickly soured when they sent Pablo Machado to Georgia Tech back in the 90’s.
I Hate Tift County
September 1st, 2010
2:56 pm
Tift County talks it every year and then fades in every sport. Stephenson is going to put it on them next week. Their reputation as an athletic school soured when they sent Pablo Machado to GT in the 90’s and it continued to dwindle with Frenchy’s performance
North Gwinnet #2
September 1st, 2010
2:58 pm
Tift talks it every year. Their reputation has dwindled ever since they sent Pablo Machado to GT in the 90’s and that reputation continued with Frenchy’s performance
Needabailout,too!
September 1st, 2010
3:14 pm
“…..He is a perfect illustration of how talent, energy and effort doesn’t guarantee success.” You left out ‘Dreamboat’!
74 Dawg
September 1st, 2010
3:22 pm
Spot on with this one Jeff. Hopefully someone close to Frenchy will have this same conversation with him. Hopefully this time he will listen.
SF Brave
September 1st, 2010
3:22 pm
Francouer actually reminds me of Yunel, which may seem like a strange comparison because one always seemed to have the “right” attitude while the other had the wrong one. But when it comes down to it, they both are approaching their late 20s but still play like they are 19– stubbornly relying on raw talent instead of working to adapt and impove their games to compete in the major leagues.
Melky way
September 1st, 2010
3:26 pm
If he is hard headed in the game of baseball what makes you think that he would not be hard headed football? In football you really have to follow instuctions.
Wanda
September 1st, 2010
3:30 pm
Why is it when ball players get married they seem to forget how to play?
Melky way
September 1st, 2010
3:40 pm
To the point I do think that a catcher has an advantage than any other position player,with them behind the plate and calling a game with their own pitcher.with that said i think that Mac is a true student of the game.He is always trying to learn new things about the game.Jeff,not so much.I will watch Brians reactions when he has a bad at bat he will have a look on his face like,next time I will do something else.The man takes it all in.you will not get him out next time.He is a Baseball player!
Chris
September 1st, 2010
4:25 pm
I was waiting for Kermit the Frog to write an article on Francoeur the minute I heard he was traded. Dude has a personal beef with him for some reason.
john galt
September 1st, 2010
5:08 pm
The worst thing that could have happened to Jeff was that “The Natural” thing on SI. The guy already acted like he was the BMOC and god’s gift to baseball. I am sure he started counting down to Cooperstown after that.
Look at how he handled his 3-day demotion to Mississippi. Despite more than a month of speculation and the chnace to turn it around, he was shocked that the Braves would not just bench him, but send him down. And he ranted and outed like a little baby.
The irony is that BMac turned out so strong – he’s the Anti-Frenchy in every way.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
September 1st, 2010
5:56 pm
Tough break for Frenchy that Designated Fielders don’t exist.
Navigator
September 1st, 2010
6:51 pm
I wrote earlier about his uncoachable issues, but I never said he didn’t have talent. He need to get away from his surroundings and parents and grow up some. When he’s ready and willing, someone will turn his career around, don’t forget that Reggie Jackson (a guy that had a marvelous career), also had a lot of problems at the beginning, before Oakland turned him around (3 world series championships later, he was Mr. October). Then he went to New York with the Billy Martin circus and almost got lost again, before maturing.
rugburn
September 1st, 2010
9:32 pm
joe charbonneau could open beer bottles in his eye socket. unfortunately he had a very bad back (not good when you torque like he did at the plate)
CA
September 2nd, 2010
3:06 am
Francoeur should have been humbled when he got benched on a below average Mets team. If that doesn’t motivate him, I don’t know what will. He has the talent, just not the focus.
Rudy Jaramillo, the hitting coach he went to a couple of
winters ago, is now with the Cubs as of this year.
Braves could lose Fredi Gonzalez to Cubs if they don’t hurry | Jeff Schultz
September 2nd, 2010
9:54 am
[...] ♦ Francoeur needs to take a hint or he’ll go nowhere in career [...]
Football time! Riches await! Dogs, Jackets start with wins | Jeff Schultz
September 2nd, 2010
9:57 am
[...] ♦ Francoeur needs to take a hint or he’ll go nowhere in career [...]
big mack attack
September 2nd, 2010
11:46 am
Everybody on here would jump over their mother to get Jeffs autograph/shake his hand/pat him on back if they saw him @ Home Depot or the grocery store.
To The Francouers: Jeff is and always a fanrtastic person,and player.
Best Wishes to him and the family.
Real fans want him to succeed.
Good luck Frenchy!
Katzman
September 2nd, 2010
3:59 pm
Didn’t Andruw Jones have the same problem? He has never lived up to what he could have become. His great fielding ability was all that kept him in the game.
kirkinga
September 3rd, 2010
3:44 am
I think it’s interesting how everyone wants to blame the “female agent”. The fact is that she, like any other agent, is an employee and works for the person she represents.
I think she is just reflecting his wishes , and based on some of their comments, Francouer’s parents’ wishes as well. I believe they had, or maybe continue to exert, great influence upon Francouer and how he views his situation.
There is also a bit of player hating going on as well. Francouer thought his value was more than what the Braves had in mind. This happens all the time but it doesn’t necessarily make him a bad guy. As it turned out, he did the Braves a favor by not working out something long term and then proceeded to play his way off two teams.
He’s a local kid and it’s ashame that people wish to remember him only for the negative aspects of his time with the Braves. The truth is that he , for a time, help make the Braves relevant again. Too bad we never got to see the local dream outfield of Francoueer, Schafer, and Heyward.
If NCAA has any question, Dogs should sit Green to be safe | Jeff Schultz
September 3rd, 2010
9:51 am
[...] ♦ Francoeur needs to take a hint or he’ll go nowhere in career [...]
dawg football fan
September 3rd, 2010
10:58 am
Jeff has a great arm….maybe he can use it to pull his head out of his a**
Go Bravos
September 3rd, 2010
8:32 pm
During Jeff’s exciting first season I was talking to my friend’s dad who was an ex major league pitcher. I asked him what he thought about Jeff’s early success and his reaction told me a lot. He quite calmly said what he’s done is impressive but it doesn’t mean a whole lot. The real tell is how he adjusts when teams learn how to pitch to him (meaning his second year). Great call. I guess we all know how that turned out. Sad to see but definitely wish him the best of lucky. Not too late to turn his career around.
Rob
September 3rd, 2010
10:30 pm
I’ve wondered if promoting Francoeur from AA to the majors ahead of schedule was a good idea in the long run. Would an extra half season at AA and a full season at AAA have helped his development and made him a more disciplined hitter with a better idea of the strike zone?
Scott from Fairburn
September 4th, 2010
8:30 am
The beginning of the end when Jeff and his representation began focusing on his brand:
“The job of cashing in on Francoeur’s image belongs to Career Sports’ Molly Fletcher. Fletcher calls him “an amazing, well-rounded individual who is a great athlete.”
“Our focus when we think about aligning a brand is that we want it to be an extension of his value system,” she said.
She described Francoeur as a “local hero” and “an all-American guy” who is “very, very smart and very likable and transcends gender and ethnicities.”
She said Francoeur is as marketable to a 23-year-old man as he is to a 55- or 65-year-old woman. Fletcher’s strategic plan for Francoeur is to find “brands and companies that we want to be with for a long time” that can “grow together like marriages.”
Read Francoeur Eager to Pitch for Companies May 2008
delois
September 4th, 2010
11:56 pm
Why now write something about Charlie Blackmon from North Gwinnett, who played great at Tech and is working his way up the Rockies organization? Not only is he a good player, he’s smart and he’s a really nice person. Enough about Francoeur.
Your Favorite Mets Malady - NYTimes.com
September 16th, 2010
9:46 am
[...] Jeff Francoeur’s bench allergy? [...]