He’s Frenchy, as in benchy, and he could soon be gone
When Job got fed up, as Job would periodically, he’d head up to Adairsville and stop by the farm, and he’d say to Bobby Cox, “I’m at wit’s end — what should I do?”
And Bobby Cox would say, “Joby [as we know, Cox loves his nicknames], just be patient.”
OK, I embellish. But I do it to make a point: When you’ve exhausted Bobby Cox’s legendary patience, you’re probably not long for these Braves. Last week Kelly Johnson went from being the everyday second baseman to being benched to being placed on the disabled list, and Jeff Francoeur was held out of the lineup three games running before being reinserted Tuesday night. (He went 1-for-4 with an infield single.) And the sound you heard was of two homegrown players who’ve been Atlanta Braves since 2005 going, “Gulp.”
Kenny Lofton didn’t fit in here, and he was gone after one season. Same with Bret Boone. Dan Kolb was brought here to be the closer, couldn’t do the job and was gone the next year. John Rocker lasted 18 months after his Sports Illustrated rant appeared, and the only reason he stayed so long was the Braves couldn’t find anyone to take him. Cox never rips a guy publicly — and almost never does he resort to managerial privilege and trash a guy to reporters off the record — but you can tell when he’s fed up.
And this is a different sort of getting-fed-up than Cox demonstrated when he pulled Yunel Escobar — or, long ago, Andruw Jones — from a game. Those upbraidings were designed to get a young player’s wandering attention. Benching a guy over a longer haul is something far more serious. It’s not a move Cox ever makes in haste, or in anger. It’s a move he undertakes only when he has reached a conclusion he has labored long not to reach.
Loading ...It takes Cox a lot longer to lose faith than it does, say, Lou Piniella. Cox believes until he’s given reason to stop believing, but when he stops … well, that’s about all she wrote. Johnson was afforded every opportunity and hit .216. Francoeur was extended an even longer grace period — we’re now going on a second calendar year of his laboriously documented flailings — but has simply ceased being a competent big-league hitter. And now both have been benched.
The Francoeur breach has been coming for a while. The Braves loved his enthusiasm — he is, as you’ve heard, a great guy — but couldn’t understand why he never made the necessary adjustments in technique. And they were mightily miffed when he took off for Texas to consult hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. As Terry Pendleton, the Braves’ hitting coach, has said: “It bugged me at first.” And as much as Cox loves his players, he loves his coaches even more.
This spring Francoeur told me, “As long as Six has my back, I don’t care about anything else.” Well, Bobby Cox wears No. 6, and he no longer stands in Francoeur’s corner.
And Francoeur, who’s no fool, already seems to have one eye on the exit. He told Dave O’Brien: “[I] just have to be patient and wait my turn, whether it’s here or somewhere else.”
At this moment, I’d bet on the “somewhere else.” When you’re a Brave and you’ve lost Bobby Cox, you’ve lost everything.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
553 comments Add your comment
wardo
July 7th, 2009
5:29 pm
Do we really think that .254 minor league hitters can just show up from AA ball and hit for power and average in the bigs? I don’t! Either does the rest of the National league. The Braves were cute for a couple years bringing players to ATL from AA Mississippi with some success. I hope that we now realize why other franchises use their AAA farm teams. We get too excited rushing the kids to the bigs (Schafer this year). It is not good for the team or the players. Frenchy is a 1 trick pony and everbody knows it. Time to move him down the line. Good luck Frenchy. Can you still pitch?
wawel78
July 7th, 2009
5:34 pm
Mark – DOB just wrote that Frenchy is in the lineup. Any reason given? It’s getting tough to be optimistic when they don’t seem to care about putting the best 8 out there.
Roja
July 7th, 2009
5:36 pm
If the Braves get rid of Jeff Francoeur before they get rid of that bum Jeff Bennett, then there is no justice in this world!
Roja
July 7th, 2009
5:38 pm
If the Phillies take Gonzo, they are a lot dumber than I give them credit for.
Roja
July 7th, 2009
5:39 pm
Maybe Frenchy is in the lineup because he out HIT Diaz last night, Go with the “warm” bat!
All I'm Saying Is...
July 7th, 2009
5:39 pm
Two down — KJ and Frenchy — with Kotchman looking over his shoulder (as he should). His numbers are mediocre and his production is not “adequate”. Either bring up Barbaro C. from the minor leagues and give him a month trial or pick up Adam Dunn at the trade deadline (I suspect no one else will want him and his 150+ strikeouts a year) for next to nothing (Barbaro plus the proverbial ‘player to be named’) as we would be doing the Nationals a favor by taking his salary off their hands. Then Kotchman can play the role he serves best which would be late game defensive replacement and pinch hitter.
Mark Bradley
July 7th, 2009
5:43 pm
If he’s in the lineup tonight, it obviously wasn’t a permanent benching. And I never thought it was. But three games off for a guy who never missed a game is a pretty powerful signal that the manager is displeased.
And I don’t know about Kelly Johnson. I wish I could say I’m optimistic about his future — he’s a nice guy, too — but I’d be fibbing.
scottbravesfan
July 7th, 2009
5:50 pm
Pappy Happy,
Jeff Francouer had holes in his swing and big league pitchers will find those holes. Therefore its up to the batter to make adjustments something that Jeff Francouer could not do, hence he’s the worst every day outfielder in the major leagues.
Also I have to ask the Atlanta natives, Francouer was supposed to be this awesome defensive back in football but aren’t those guys supposed to be, I don’t know, fast? Because Francouer has to be one of the slowest guys in the big leagues. Brian McCann is better at stealing bases than Francoeur. Also I think Jeff has a real problem with reality. He still thinks it’s 2005 and he should be the cover boy of SI yet he hasn’t hit in two years.
I bet he wishes he took that contract extention back in 2006 like McCann did.
wawel78
July 7th, 2009
5:55 pm
It’s not many but Franceour actually leads the team in SB’s.
Peter
July 7th, 2009
5:59 pm
Mark are the Braves able to send Frenchy down to AAA ball with his current contract and situation ?
mrnatural
July 7th, 2009
6:02 pm
I sincerely believe Jeff will be the best hitter on the next team he plays for. He’ll probably lead the league in hits, average, homeruns and slugging. He’s going to rake against those church league slowpitch pitchers.
Mark Bradley
July 7th, 2009
6:02 pm
I don’t know why they wouldn’t be able to demote him. He has only been sent down once in his career, so he shouldn’t be out of options.
Peter
July 7th, 2009
6:07 pm
Mark so it a situation where he will be really unhappy to go back down again….and act childish ?
Last year he went down, but I thought for too short a period of time, as he never seemed get any better toward the end of the season, with exception to his first game back.
Homer
July 7th, 2009
6:10 pm
FIRE BRADLEY!!
Mark Knows Best
July 7th, 2009
6:11 pm
Frenchy seems to be a great kid, but we need great BASEBALL PLAYERS!
Bat Masterson
July 7th, 2009
6:12 pm
Alan, Greg Maddox did not hit his stride after being traded. He won the Cy Young award for the Cubs the year before the Braves signed him as a free agent.
Peter
July 7th, 2009
6:16 pm
Well in ESPN the Braves are favored to win the game tonight…….. we need to start winning some series or we are going to be out of it soon !
Missing the Braves of the 90's...
July 7th, 2009
6:29 pm
I always wondered what it would be like when the Braves were no longer a winning team. Now i know!
I am an optimist but also realize this team just doesn’t have what it takes to win this division.
My Christmas wish is for Bobby to retire and send TP to the Phillies so he can ruin their hitters!!!!
Preston Hannatized
July 7th, 2009
6:31 pm
I agree with those who say we dump Vasquez now. Having said that, we dumped Tex last year and how has that panned out? Kotchman is a bust. But, remember we got Smoltz for Doyle Alexander in the same kind of season. I don’t know if Wren can work this thing. He seems in over his head. But sell now — Vasquez, Gonzalez, Anderson, — get back young arms and bats. We are all delusional if we think there’s a playoff run in this team.
REEL DEEL
July 7th, 2009
6:36 pm
Hey MB,
All I’m hearing from you is Adequate when referring to current players the Braves have.There’s another word that has that same meaning,mediocre!!! That’s the type ball the Braves have been playing last 4 years running.Package Frenchy,Medlen,JoJo(Oh No!)Reyes,and Johnson for Dunn and Morgan.The bats we have need protection in the lineup.Punchless Kotchman and Francouer ain’t workin out.Since Furcal,we never a leadoff hitter,enter Morgan.I’ll take my chances with that lineup.KEEP ESCOBAR….or else he’ll end up as a perennial all-star when Jeter vacates!Yankee eyes are watchin!!
Mark Bradley
July 7th, 2009
6:40 pm
A word or two about Jeff Francoeur: He has, as several of you have pointed out, been a star at every level in every sport. He believes he’s only one good at-bat or one big game from turning it around, and you can’t turn it around from the bench. Sure he’d be disappointed to go back to the minors. Who wouldn’t be? Sure he wasn’t pleased about being benched for three games. But that’s part of being a competitor: You always want to play. And he’s a truly positive guy. He believes in himself, and that’s part of the reason he succeeded. He’s always going to believe in himself no matter what the stats might say.
coach smith
July 7th, 2009
6:40 pm
let me get this straight…..
The Braves are on a crucial losing streak during a crucial stretch of games
The Braves need a win desperately tonight
Now Zambrano is pitching
And CHIPPER is not in the lineup?????
UNREAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
frank johnson
July 7th, 2009
6:41 pm
I agree with the benching of Francouer-this is his second year of not being a productive hitter.Kelly J is even worse -he cant hit or play defense. Send Francouer to the minors to learn how to hit again and trade KJ-JoJo-Kotchman-and GA for someone who can hit for power or might know how to go from first to third on a basehit.I have been abraves fan since 1957 and then they moved to Atlanta.We do not need to trade Escobar or any of our top prospects . Bobby Cox has been a great manager for us a long time but I really think the game has passed him by and it is time for changes-TP has not done a very good job as a batting coach so I would not consider him as a replacement.Whatever the braves do I will always be a fan- I watch almost all their games and I would like to see them winning again.Go Braves
REEL DEEL
July 7th, 2009
6:52 pm
Frank Johnson,
You got a winning opinion,but without dangling Medlen it might be a deal-breaker.All of the afore-mentioned are having a period extended sub-par unproductivity.That’s a concern to the buyer as well.Gotta sweeten the pot.
milesahead
July 7th, 2009
6:55 pm
Braves should keep Jeff around until the end of next season. That’s when Jason Heyward will be ready for the big show. At that point they can trade him for a bag of beans.
REEL DEEL
July 7th, 2009
6:56 pm
given my druthers, I’d keep Medlen and give ‘em Hudson or Vasquez maybe as a last resort.Vasquez is an innings eater and he keeps you in ball games,and not be be overlooked,he’s had no arm problems in his career.
Ledhead
July 7th, 2009
7:01 pm
Too many vanilla B grade players to be a contender. Kelly Johnson had to be taught how to play 2nd base. Frenchy has the least amount of discipline of any professional I have ever seen. Matt Diaz is an easy out 2 pitches in the dirt and a high heater and he’s done. I loved the at bat Conrad had in the 9th last night. He fouled off probably 10 balls before flying to center. Bring on the offense Wren, the pitching minus Moylan gets it done and we get Hudson back soon. We want a contender this year!
coach smith
July 7th, 2009
7:02 pm
getting REAL TIRED of JOHN KINKCAID’s PHILLY fan slanted view of the Braves’ situation
it is very transparent but when he is called out on it, he denies it to the end and turns it around as the Braves fans being delusional
love 680thefan
but it is sooooo obvious he is enjoying the Braves being behind hte Phillies ad he is taking his shots
rickster
July 7th, 2009
7:05 pm
how long is it going to take to fire T.P. come on Cox get off the throne and get a real hitting coach players come to the braves hitting and get run out
Mitch C
July 7th, 2009
7:06 pm
Mark, let me ask you. Why, when I suggested a couple of months ago that Frenchy should be traded, you, and others, said things like “You cant trade him, because you wont get anything for him”. Sometimes, with a malcontent, you have to get what you can for him, and move on.
Bob Wickman is a perfect example. We get him to be our closer, in .. 06, I believe? He’s lights out the first season. Then, when Wick starts ranting about his use to Bobby, and others, he’s unconditionally released. Bobby Cox doesnt put up with garbage like that from players. While the Braves aren’t what they used to be in the standings, Mr Cox has earned that right, to be respected by his players.
While Jeff is still young, maybe it is best that we let him go. I didnt think so for a while, but, as our division and wild card hopes get slimmer and slimmer, and the Jeff problem seems to be continuing, maybe it is best that we let him go to someone else, where he can have a fresh start.
Mitch
Ralph
July 7th, 2009
7:13 pm
Braves have two outstanding bats at the catcher position, both hit for average and power, one of those players is idle every day, someone please explain to me why since we need another bat they don’t move one of those players to first base and bring up another backup catcher.
the hopes of the braves nation rest in your hands mr. hanson
July 7th, 2009
7:18 pm
i knew that frenchy would get the start… damn.
Bravos 123
July 7th, 2009
7:25 pm
OK, sometimes you go into a slump, fine, but don’t drag everyone else down. Frenchy can control the number of pitches seen, but he ranks 160th out of 163 MLB batters in pitches per plate appearance.
By the way, our own CK, KJ and YE rank 131, 143, and 161 respectively in least no. of pitches seen (out of 163 qualified). YIKES!!! Who is coaching these batters??
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting?sort=pitchesPerPlateAppearance&split=0&league=mlb&season=2009&seasonType=2&type=exp&ageMin=17&ageMax=51&minpa=0&hand=a&pos=all&startDate=null&endDate=null&qual=true&count=124
indicted
July 7th, 2009
7:41 pm
frenchy may be a good person. thats where it stops. i never bought into the hype of him being a good baseball player. can he still play football at clemson
Sal Bando
July 7th, 2009
7:42 pm
Norcross pitcher,
check a dictionary or spell check, to and too have different meanings. The Braves need to stop signing old timers like Garrett Anderson. I’m still waiting for the stoic OF to smile. Keep Diaz in LF and he will produce & hustle. Get a 1B who can hit more than 3 HR’s.
Top Dawg
July 7th, 2009
7:54 pm
Who in the lineup is hitting well? What about trading Terry Pendleton along with Frenchy?
N17317
July 7th, 2009
7:55 pm
Everyone here who is saying that Frenchy has been bad for two years hasn’t been paying attention. He hasn’t been good for FOUR years. He had a good half season when called up in 2005. The rest of the time, he’s stunk.
Zip
July 7th, 2009
7:58 pm
Having said all that…agree with WK. What’s to lose by sending him to Gwinnett? He’d be upset but that’s what he needs and it would show the Braves still want him to succeed. He might pull it out.
Zip
July 7th, 2009
8:01 pm
Also agree with the prior comment that Vlad Guererro is the only person who could hit everything at which Jeff swings.
Christian
July 7th, 2009
8:03 pm
What do you know? Bobby hasn’t lost confidence with Jeff. He is riding the hot bats. Diaz and Anderson are swinging hot bats right now so it is smart to start them. That’s all. Bobby is actually coaching…..believe it or not!
Sonny Clusters
July 7th, 2009
8:08 pm
When Bobby Cox wins a state champion maybe he can tell Jeff some stuff but Jeff don’t need Bobby and Jeff dont need TP because if he hits it its going to go. Hitting it has been the problem but I think its because Jeff dont see all that many strikes when he bats, I dont know if Jeff will play some more but since Chipper has a strain then that gets the rookie some playing time and I like seeing rookies get some at bats. When we was playing ball together I always thought so and thats whats wrong with the Braves.
OldSchool
July 7th, 2009
8:13 pm
Too bad the Braves didn’t think Andruw was worth $1 million for a year. He’d at least bring some pop and decent defensive skills.
Who knows? He’d make almost as nice a #4 hitter as Adam Dunn I think. Their power numbers are not too different.
BUT, the Braves will never swallow their pride and admit they made a mistake.
Mike D
July 7th, 2009
8:24 pm
Mark Bradley: “And Francoeur could not go to college and play baseball because he has played professionally in that sport, but he might be able to play, say, football.”
ROTFL! Reminds me of A Christmas Story:
Santa Claus: How about a nice ah football?
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Football? Football? What’s a football? With unconscious will my voice squeaked out ‘football’.
Santa Claus: Okay, get him out of here.
DP
July 7th, 2009
9:14 pm
Whining Frenchy says he’s got to wait his turn. He’s had a pretty good turn, about 2500 big league at bats, and he’s proven he’s not a big league player. There is not one other manager in baseball other than Bobby Cox who wouldn’t have released or at least benched him a year ago. The Braves sent him down to the minors a year ago and since that time he’s been even worse than he was previously.
This ain’t Parkview High anymore. Time to face reality and waive Francouer. He’ll get a good dose of reality when he sees how little interest there is in him.
Good Grief....Charlie Brown
July 7th, 2009
9:17 pm
Mark ….why do you and the AJC continue to publish the crap in these blogs from so many absolute morons?
You said it right that the foundation for a reasonably good baseball team is in place and the roster doesn’t have to be decimated to satisfy the disgruntled air heads that have nothing better to do than post here with their ignorant comments…
and Moon Pie….well that is the perfect name for you, cause surely your brain is made from the same stuff….
Jared
July 7th, 2009
9:19 pm
Francoeur still seems to me as if he’s one of those guys who is far too busy thinking about the fat contract he deserves and his future Cooperstown acceptance speech … to be bothered with piddly details like realizing he’s not a very good hitter at this point.
Jared
July 7th, 2009
9:25 pm
Also, Francoer will never improve until he learns to TAKE PITCHES!!!! The man has 12 BB this year. ***12***. His OBP was .280 coming into tonight. He’s like Joaquin Phoenix in the movie Signs: “It felt wrong not to swing.”
Sonny Clusters
July 7th, 2009
9:31 pm
When we was playing ball together back in school Jeff would never get benched. Scouts come by and watched him play and thought he was strong and tall and could hit hard and play some pretty good ball as state champion and would want to sign him instead of playing football. Thats a part of whats wrong with the Braves.
PN
July 7th, 2009
9:34 pm
Nothing about Jeff Francoeur is baseball superstar except for the Sports Illustrated cover that he was prematurely glued on. Honestly, he is NOT a competent everyday big leaguer. He has a tremendous arm in the field, a solid glove, and good speed. But he cannot hit in the major leagues. Hitting in the bigs requires an ability to adjust. I cannot see anyone other than Dayton Moore being blinded by Jeff Francoeur’s history willing to give up more than a bag of tampons (not even the extra absorbent kind). I see the Braves trading him for a mid-level relief pitcher who never makes it to the bigs.
MB- Kotchman is adequate at first? Dude, he hits a soft .265 at first? Are you kidding me? If Kotchman is still the first baseman next year the Braves have major issues. The fact is, the Braves had glaring weaknesses at 1B, RF/LF, and CF at the end of last season. The solution was signing Garret Anderson after being spurned by Griffey? Why Griffey was ever considered is still beyond me, but still, Garret Anderson? Aw how cute, Kotchman just dropped a little flare in front of Fokudome as I type this.
Sonny Clusters
July 7th, 2009
9:36 pm
0-2 and coming up to bat . . . swings at the first pitch and pops out. Some things dont change and wont change and arent gonna change and one thing is that Jeff is gonna swang at it when they throw it to him.