Bradley’s Buzz: Frenchy makes an impression in NY minute
The fallout on Francoeur, and there’s a lot of it
The nice thing — well, one of the nice things — about hanging around New York is you can buy four papers a day. Pretty soon, though, you realize most every sports story in all four papers contains the same quotes. (New York writers, of which there are many, tend to travel in packs.) So I won’t offer every link regarding Jeff Francoeur’s arrival, lest we be here all week. I’ll hit the highlights:
• How did the deal happen? According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News: “Mets GM Omar Minaya said assistant GM John Ricco suggested investigating the availability of the 25-year-old Francoeur during an afternoon brainstorming session on Thursday. The deal was completed within 24 hours.” (And you think the Braves weren’t thirsting to dump Frenchy?)
• The headline on Jay Greenberg’s post-trade column in the New York Post says it all: “Minaya’s swap is better than doin’ nothing.”
• From David Lennon of Newsday comes this analysis: “If Francoeur is as screwed up as the Braves believe him to be — and they rarely dump a player before his time — maybe this will turn out to be a regrettable trade [for the Mets].”
• Esteemed former colleague Tim Smith of the New York Daily News asks how long Francoeur’s honeymoon will last: “Given the up and down nature of the Mets, you wonder how long Francoeur, a homegrown Georgia product who rotted on the vine in Atlanta, will maintain his sunny disposition in Queens. You wonder how long [Mets manager] Jerry Manuel will embrace Francoeur.”
• On MLB.com, Tim Britton describes the Mets’ approach to swing-doctoring Frenchy: ” ‘We’re going to take is we’re going to watch for awhile,’ Manuel said. ‘We’re going to try to let him get as comfortable as he can possibly get without trying to make these types of changes.’ ”
• In Newsday, Roderick Boone quotes Francoeur as saying he’s happy to be playing in a pro-sports town: ” ‘I’ve always loved the fans up here, loved the passion,’ Francoeur said. ‘That’s something you don’t get down south. Up here, it’s pro sports. Down by us, it’s always the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn, SEC, Alabama. Up here, this is it. It’s the Mets, it’s the Yankees, it’s the Giants, it’s the Knicks, and that’s what I’m looking forward to is coming to a place where the fans are so passionate, and care and pack the place out every night.’ ”
• Ben Shipgel of the New York Times reports that Francoeur’s last name was misspelled on the Mets’ clubhouse lineup board before Saturday’s game.
• Mike Puma of the New York Post reports Francoeur’s first at-bat as a Met yielded “maybe the cheapest two-run single in Citi Field history.”
• Writes Larry Brooks of the New York Post: “Francoeur is no savior. He is a reclamation project seeking to find plate discipline and consistency on a reclamation project of a team seeking to pitch, throw, catch, run and hit like a professional outfit rather than the stumblebums they’ve been for more than a month.”
After two games as a Met, Francoeur is 4-for-9 with two RBI and only one strikeout. And the Mets are 2-0, having drawn within a half-game of Frenchy’s former club for third place in the NL East.
OK, OK. Who got the better of the deal?
According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Braves did. (Link requires registration.) Writes Olney:
“I liked this trade for the Braves because [Ryan] Church will fit in nicely into the three-guys-for-two-spots platoon with Matt Diaz and Garret Anderson, and he’s got a better chance to put the ball in play more consistently hitting in the No. 6 and No. 7 spot in the Atlanta lineup. And given where Francoeur is in his career, trying to find himself at the plate and become more disciplined, I just wonder if New York might be the absolute worst place for him right now. If he struggles and then has one of those nights when he sees seven pitches and goes 0-for-5, the fans there will let him have it. Hopefully, for his sake and for the sake of the Mets, it’ll turn out to be a great match — a high-energy player for a high-anxiety atmosphere, that’ll bring out the best in Francoeur.
“The fact the Braves moved him is hardly a surprise; rival GMs expected the Braves to non-tender him at the end of this year if they had kept him through the full season because of the depths of his struggles.”
Don’t do it for Kovy’s sake!
I took this selection from Rory Boylen of the Hockey News as something of a rebuttal to my little effort of last week. (Thanks to Wayne in Tuskegee for passing along the link.) I’d written that Thrashers GM Don Waddell is making moves in large measure to persuade Ilya Kovalchuk to re-up. Boylen thinks that’s bad policy. He writes:
“Kovalchuk is a dynamic player whose caliber doesn’t come around often, but if he is unwilling to commit to the team, I’m not sure the GM should be committing the team to him. If Atlanta struggles again next year despite Waddell’s efforts, Kovy will be gone and the Thrashers will be a misfit team without direction.
Perhaps Waddell should urge Kovy to sign a one- or two-year deal to give the team ample time to correct itself and get its new ownership group on the same page. Then, if he is still unhappy with the direction, by all means, trade him or let him sign with a winner.
But Atlanta shouldn’t be hastily building a team in a year to appease one player with an expiring contract –- it’s just too risky and too short-term.”
In the abstract, I’d agree. But the harsh reality is that, if the Thrashers can’t hold Kovalchuk, they’ll be starting over after a decade in business. And their chances of keeping him are better than finding a big-name free agent willing to come here and replace him. The future of the Thrash essentially hangs on one man’s whim: Like it or not, Waddell has to placate that one man.
And speaking of whimsy …
What, you’re asking, is Jim Harrick doing these days? According to Hall of Famer writer Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader — Jerry’s an esteemed former colleague, as is John Clay, who passed along the link — Harrick surfaced at the adidas-sponsored It Takes 5ive basketball camp at the University of Cincinnati last week.
Harrick, you should know, was serving as an assistant coach for Pump N Run, a summer-league team based in southern California. Writes Tipton: “Harrick said he was helping coach the team as a favor to Pump N Run officials who are long-time fixtures in recruiting circles.”
I have four words for you: Supply your own punchline.
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
145 comments Add your comment
Jack Hass
July 13th, 2009
10:29 am
Go Frenchy. Hope he has a long career.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
10:39 am
I’ll root for Frenchy, but I hope he doesn’t hit well anytime he plays the Braves. He’s a Met. You have to draw the line right.
Of course, the Braves know he’ll swing at anything in Eric Gregg’s old strike zone, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
10:40 am
*You have to draw the line right there.
brave1
July 13th, 2009
10:47 am
The Mets better not ever think of sending him to the Minor leagues because “he’ll remember it” when it’s contract time!
How insulting and unfair!
Yes, I’m being sarcastic.
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 13th, 2009
10:51 am
I dare say 4-9 does not “The rebirth of a ‘Natural’” make.
jeffrey d
July 13th, 2009
10:52 am
Well said, Chris. You gotta pull for Francoeur. As much as people seemed to hate him here (and as awful as he was) he still tried and never dogged it. Kinda hard to root for him though because if he plays well, that means the Mets play better.
Dark Helmet
July 13th, 2009
10:55 am
Why within your own division where the guy will be pumped to play against his former team and get Braves fans cheering for him?
Better than to the Rangers where Rudy would get him hitting 350 and making Bobby look bad for keeping inep TP.
May the Schwartz be with you.
ND
July 13th, 2009
10:59 am
Well it appears he just needed a change in his jersey number. He shouldn’t even ask J. Reyes if he can have #7.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 13th, 2009
11:01 am
I sure didn’t hate him, but I hated his.600-ish OPS. Deeply, with passion.
I thought when he hit a two-run jack to tie the game in – late May, I think it was – and Chipper said he “ran into one”, that told you everything you needed to know about his teammates. Pulling for him, hoping he’d start to get it, but ultimately a vote of no confidence. Or no clue.
Mrs. Bong is right. Frenchy has a way of looking good for a while then fading badly. Kind of like Melanie Griffith or Kirstie Alley.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
11:05 am
I’m pulling for JF but if I hear one more person claim it was a bad trade cause he went 4 for 9 and Church has only 1 hit, I’m going to go Chuck Norris on someone.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:06 am
Melanie Griffith I still remember from the much-underrated Gene Hackman movie “Night Moves.”
Reid Adair
July 13th, 2009
11:06 am
When (not if) Francoeur gets into one of his slumps, look out. If he thought the criticism from the media and the fans in Atlatna was bad, he ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:07 am
As we know, it’s always a good idea to judge a trade on two games.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:09 am
You know, Reid, I’m not so sure the New York media will be any tougher on Francoeur than Braves fans were. He’s not arriving as a big-money free agent; as Larry Brooks wrote, he’s “a reclamation project.” The expectations on him can’t be any higher up there than down here. I doubt they’ll be half so high.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
11:11 am
Gov, great comparison. Although Melanie Griffith? She was marginal at her peek. I was thinking more about the chick from the White Snake videos. Wheeew, what a slide.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:16 am
Tawny Kitaen would be the redhead in question.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
11:16 am
Mark, I think Olney has the best quote of everybody you included.
I lived in New York for a summer, went to some Braves-Mets games, and saw how the Mets “faithful” rip their so-called beloved stars after they go hitless in just one game. They have no sense of how a season plays out or a sense of how streaky life can be as a hitter.
The mentality is: “if you don’t get 3 hits on the day I’m at the park, get outta town.” (Of course, what they really say is far more demoralizing.) Sure, he’s 4 for 9 in two games, but if Frenchy couldn’t take a brief demotion from Bobby – just a TAD better a players’ manager than Jerry Manuel – how will he take criticism from the Citi Field lowbrows in right field?
It ain’t a good match. New York’s a great place, but stay outta Queens.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
11:21 am
By the way, the Bobby/Manuel comparison was sarcasm, but that’s hard to detect on the Web. Manuel absolutely blows.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 13th, 2009
11:22 am
Yeah, Bank, that didn’t end well. Remember Bachelor Party? Tawny was smokin’. Say ‘no’ to drugs, I guess…
I assume Chuck Finley finally divorced her, but he was the one on the wrong end of that deal.
And while we’re on this scintillating topic of Melanie and Tawny, I can’t think of one chick who looks better after those collagen injections. They all look like freaks, and not in a good way.
Left to Right
July 13th, 2009
11:26 am
What, you couldn’t find/create a Tony Cole story?
Poopy Pants
July 13th, 2009
11:28 am
Braves definitely got a better end of the deal than the Mets… if Church can stay healthy. He’s one concussion away from possibly ending his career. Not many followed his recovery here in Atlanta, but being an avid fantasy baseball owner of Ryan Church (I can hear snickering already), he was dizzy and pretty ill for about 5 or 6 months. I can’t imagine a noggin that could take another blow like that.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:28 am
Tony Cole … Tony Cole … name doesn’t register, I’m afraid.
And Chris, from what I’ve read — and I’ve read a lot these past three days — Manuel soured on Church for no real reason. At least when Cox sours on someone, he has a reason.
MatthewH
July 13th, 2009
11:28 am
So the story from the NY Post quotes him as saying that plate discipline is “not something I worry about”. That says it all right there.
Enough, Enough Enough Already.
July 13th, 2009
11:29 am
Mark Bradley – Why can’t you let the whole Jeff Francouer thing go? He is no longer a Brave, which I know thrills you and all of the bloggers that follow you, so why don’t you be a human being and leave him alone. Was this blog really necessary? Or do you just like pouring salt into a deep wound? For the love of all things decent, let the subject go.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
11:29 am
Yes, Jeff was a shooting star like her, I mean smoking hot, then fell on hard times in the ATL. Tawny today: http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/tawny-kitaen/176293
Chris, I agree. They are relentless on the Second basemen up there. That guys family is brought up every at bat.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:29 am
Of course, if Yunel Escobar clocks Ryan Church again, that’ll be just one more reason for Cox to get mad at his shortstop.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
11:31 am
Mark, I agree with you on Manuel. No need to question my Bobby Supporter credentials. See my sarcasm note under my post.
Mac
July 13th, 2009
11:32 am
I hope Harrick banked some cash over the years. Nah, not really.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
11:33 am
Poopy, you may be right. Mets did the guy a real favor by boarding him on a jet right after one of those concussions.
MB, the Tony Cole story never gets old.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
11:36 am
MatthewH – so true.
Mac
July 13th, 2009
11:36 am
Melanie Griffith’s best role was in the underrated Paul Newman film, “Nobody’s Fool.”
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
11:37 am
MB, you are right, it wouldn’t take Escobar a lot to get back in the dog house. It almost as if he stopped Bobby from beating Mrs. Cox or something.
Bama Aaron
July 13th, 2009
11:40 am
In the long run I think the Braves get the better of this trade. Church will be a more consistent hitter in the long run. I hated giving up Frenchy’s arm in right until I saw Church unload on a throw to 3rd yesterday that Chipper caught at his shoulder…no more worries there.
Only thing in your article I kinda hated seeing was Frenchy’s small barb at southern fans. Sure the south is more of a college area, but he’d been warmly embraced by this area until he starting swinging at anything in the zip code. We’ll see how he like those northern fans after he puts up a 1 for 21 that you know is coming.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
11:41 am
Why is it whenever someone mentions a Melanie Griffith movie, it is alway underrated. Tawny’s best role was in the awesome movie “Bachlor Party”
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:42 am
I don’t disagree with the premise of Francoeur’s quote — he’s dead-on — but it did seem a little disingenuous to me, too. Ask him, say, if he still follows the Clemson Tigers.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
11:43 am
Bama Aaron – when you see Braves fans doing the wave in the 7th inning of a tie game, don’t you see a lack of passion?
I hate to see Francouer say that as well, but he’s got a point. Braves fans stopped showing up for the baseball game long ago.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:43 am
Am I to believe nobody saw Ms. Griffith in the Brian de Palma opus “Body Double”?
Bama Aaron
July 13th, 2009
11:43 am
Disagree Bank Walker…her best role was in the Whitesnake video..I can still picture her rolling around on those cars. Shame what she turned into.
Mac
July 13th, 2009
11:45 am
It was underrated because of its standing in Newman’s career, not in Griffith’s. By the way, she lifted her shirt. That’s what made it such a fine performance.
Bama Aaron
July 13th, 2009
11:46 am
Oh I agree Chris. I don’t totally dispute what he said. Braves fans are not the most impassioned. Most noise I’ve heard in the stadium all season was the Yankees & Red Sox series…from their fans.
I just hate hearing a player take a shot at the fans when it was the organization that let him go.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
11:47 am
Being born in 1987 makes it sort of difficult to comment on Melanie Griffith. I’m still kind of stuck on Heather Graham’s, um, performance in The Hangover.
NC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2009
11:49 am
Gov. Clinton Tyree: the Kirstie Alley comparison also doesn’t wash. She has a higher career OPS than Jeff.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 13th, 2009
11:51 am
OK, Chris, imagine, if you will, Heather Graham turning into a hag.
Kicking and screaming all the way, with bad plastic surgery and all that Hollywood collagen crap. That’s why those of us of a certain age are mourning Tawny and Melanie. It was the best of times….
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:52 am
Born in 1987? I’ve got shoes — I still wear them, FYI — older than you, child.
I was born in ‘87 myself — 1887.
Bama Aaron
July 13th, 2009
11:53 am
born in 1987? OMG I feel old now… that was the start of my senior year of high school. good times
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 13th, 2009
11:54 am
NC Braves Fan: Who doesn’t? And when Kirstie hits her weight, that’s like, say, Prince Fielder. It really means something.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
11:57 am
Didn’t Kirstie Alley used to be married to Parker Stevenson, who played Frank on “The Hardy Boys”? (I believe Shaun Cassidy, David’s brother, played Joe. And Pamela Sue Martin — who wound up on “Dynasty” but then disappeared — played the lead on “Nancy Drew.”)
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 13th, 2009
11:57 am
OK, I’ve really got to get back to work. I can’t sit here and crap on Francoeur and Tawny and Kirstie and Melanie all day. It’s not like they pay me to write 15 blogs a week or something.
Hey Mark, isn’t that like being a gynecologist or a pharmacist or something? Get tired of all the fun all the time, kind of loses its meaning?
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
11:57 am
NC, yeah but Kirstie can’t hit her weight. Bama, you’re right. And Melanie made one diddy with Jeff so and so where she was some hot crazy chick, pretty good flick. Also, showed her boob in the movie with Harrison Ford. It covered the whole screen. “I’ve got a mind for business and a body for sin”
Mrs. Chanandler Bong
July 13th, 2009
12:00 pm
Kirstie Alley used to be married to John Travolta. Remember? They had a baby together who could talk without moving his mouth. He sounded a lot like Bruce Willis.
Bama Aaron
July 13th, 2009
12:00 pm
Yes Mark you’re right. She was married to Parker S., but that was long ago in her still hot days. When she could still do things like her role in Wrath of Khan…who knew a Vulcan could be sexy?
Chris
July 13th, 2009
12:01 pm
Mark, you do a nice job for a 121 year-old. If you ever want to retire from writing about base ball, maybe I’d love to take your place covering these Atlanta Crackers!
(Seriously, I may intern for my newspaper soon – seems like a very interesting thing to do. Hope newspapers stick around long enough…)
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
12:02 pm
MB, you are correct on all those Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew but how are they connected with Kevin Bacon? And Gov. maybe like a pharmacist but not a gyno.
NC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2009
12:02 pm
Mark B: what, is this “Six Degrees of Lift & Separation” with Kirstie Alley?
Gov & Bank: Ha! Did you guys see that reality series she did on (I think) Showtime a few years ago? It was actually pretty good.
Girthy, but good.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
12:04 pm
“Something Wild” was the (fine) movie in question. Starred Ms. Griffith, Jeff Daniels and Ray Liotta. Directed by Jonathan Demme, who would go on to greater acclaim. Had a terrific soundtrack. I still have it on cassette.
Anybody remember cassettes?
Jack Hass
July 13th, 2009
12:05 pm
Melanie Griffith has never been all that appealing to me. And now? I hope that Antonio Banderas is losing his eyesight, because waking up next to 2009 Melanie must be an awful fright.
Makes me extra thankful that my wife just turned 40 and is still smoking hot.
NC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2009
12:05 pm
Chris +1 point for being 22 years old and knowing about the ATL Crackers. Bonus points for knowing who Tom McMillen & Rowland Office are.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
12:06 pm
“Girthy, but good.” That’s a great one, NC. Kudos!
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 13th, 2009
12:07 pm
Actually, my favorite Kirstie moment (perhaps 80 lbs ago) was when she was accepting an Emmy and thanked Parker for “giving [her] the big one”. Kind of surprised that made it through the network censors.
lazydawg
July 13th, 2009
12:08 pm
Great move for the Braves!!!!!Now we should be more constant and versatile around the line up.Good luck to Frenchy though and thank God for Church.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
12:10 pm
-1 for saying Mark is 121. For some reason, I used 2008 as my current year. He’s really 122 if we’re going by 1887. Apologies!
And hey, I was a history major. I’ve GOTTA know about the Atlanta Crackers.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
12:14 pm
NC, KA was on Showtime? Mmmmm if only on Skinamax. By the way Roland Office made the best catch I have ever seen at Atl Fulton Co. MB, I remember 8 tracks. Never understood them being called 8 tracks when there were only 4 sides
Atlpaddy
July 13th, 2009
12:15 pm
“Braves fans stopped showing up for the baseball game long ago” – which was pretty much when Turner sold the team to AOL and we all know how great the ownership has been since then. I’m also waiting for Frenchy to start taking pot-shots at the Braves. He said all the right things at first when he was traded, but we all know that it’s coming….
Bama Aaron
July 13th, 2009
12:16 pm
Bank I barely remember 8 tracks as a kid. But my 1st car had an 8 track player..i had to get an adapter to play my cassette’s through it’s player!
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
12:18 pm
I never owned an 8-track. Owned (and still own) much vinyl.
Remember vinyl? Anybody?
MatthewH
July 13th, 2009
12:22 pm
One last thing on Kirstie Alley-when she was married to Parker Stevenson, at the Golden Globes in her acceptance speech, she thanks him for giving her the “hard one” for all these years. She was not sober at that ceremony, I believe
NC Braves Fan
July 13th, 2009
12:22 pm
Bank – ha! Yeah, it was about her “efforts” to lose weight and get work in TV. It was pretty funny stuff – and I guess if you’re gonna have a higher body mass index than the state of Mississippi, might as well make a buck off of it.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
12:28 pm
Pujols couldn’t hit Kirstie’s weight.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
12:34 pm
There was this magazine, OK? I used to read it JUST FOR THE ARTICLES, OK? But while perusing one month’s collection of prose I happened — JUST HAPPENED — to stumble across a pictorial featuring the very young Ms. Griffith when she was still seeing the young Mr. Don Johnson, who would later wear T-shirts with suits to handsome effect.
Obviously the pictorial made no impression on me at all.
rebar
July 13th, 2009
12:46 pm
I always wondered if Melanie had a “body double” in Body Double.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
12:48 pm
Was Tawny in that magazine? Do you remeber her on Seinfield? Holy s***!!! Best looking clothed woman ever. Sting. Hilarious but I think Pujols could hit Mama Cass’ weight. He may be the best ever. Its between he and T Williams. T. Williams war record puts him over the top for me.
Homer
July 13th, 2009
12:52 pm
FIRE BRADLEY!!!
StingerSplash
July 13th, 2009
12:53 pm
Ms. Griffith did have a body double for “Body Double.” Sorry to spoil it for you.
And Ms. Kitaen once beat the crap out of her husband, left-hander Charles Augustus Finley of the Angels and Cards and can’t remember who else.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
12:58 pm
Ms. Griffith also underwent some noticeable renovations, if you get my meaning, while at work on “The Bonfire of the Vanities.” (Also directed by Mr. De Palma.)
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
July 13th, 2009
1:04 pm
Stinger, love a physical woman. Tawny had just gotten a little to physical. MB you are right unfortunately when they were given her breast implants they missed her chest and hit her lips.
rlinaug
July 13th, 2009
1:05 pm
I hated to see Francouer go, but not as much as I hated the continual predictability of his at-bats. Depending on the situation, his turns at the plate generally resulted in a worst-case scenario come true—an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded and one out our less, a strike out with a man on third and one out or less.
I hope he treats the passion of the Mets fans with great respect. I mean, if he his batting woes continue, he stands a great chance of witnessing their passionate disdain.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
1:07 pm
I’d like to thank Rlinaug for attempting to get this discussion back on track. (Sadly, I myself have contributed mightily to the extraneous content.) So, before we turn into Howard Stern’s show, let’s get back to talking sports.
Or, failing that, beer.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
1:08 pm
Gosh, what are we gonna do with no Braves for three days?
Speculate about Sonia Sotomayor… Look up old pictures of Melanie Griffith… And be sure to not mix up the tasks paired with the women.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
1:10 pm
Hey, don’t knock Stern! He read some pretty incredible Michael Jackson jokes on the way to work today.
AGTFan
July 13th, 2009
1:15 pm
You never owned an 8-track? Based on your age and the fact that Iknow you love music, I have to guess that the love of music occurred at a later date or you didn’t have a car when you were young.
As for Frenchy, the trade is the best thing that could have happened to him. 2 games is too few to make any judgement. If he finds himself, the Met’s will have gottent the better end of the trade by far. Even if Church plays lights out from now on, he was never going to get a shot under Manuel. And Frenchy was never going to find himself in Atlanta. If Frenchy doesn’t find himself, then all the Mets lost was a player they weren’t going to use anyway. This could be a good trade for everyone involved.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
1:18 pm
Actually, the 8-track thing was ongoing when I got my license and after I’d acquired the taste for music, but I just never got around to getting a tape player. Although my big buddy Max Gillespie, who’s now the basketball coach at Hampton Roads Institute, had one in his car. Trouble was, he had only one tape.
To this day, I cannot hear “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” without thinking of Max’s car.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
1:20 pm
AGT, seems pretty clear cut to me. It seems from all indication that Church hated NY and is glad to be a Brave. Francoeur? Let’s see what happens when he hits a slump. Those fans, those fans…
Nite Owl
July 13th, 2009
1:21 pm
8-tracks were aggravating because often times a song would have to fade out, then the thing would change tracks, then the song would fade back in. Ridiculous.
But, since you couldn’t play vinyl in your car, I guess it had to do until cassettes came along.
The whole concept today of Side 1 versus Side 2 is lost on the young people. That used to mean something back in the day.
we have church and still bobby cox
July 13th, 2009
1:22 pm
Nice but true we not a pro sports town like frenchy said of course he get boooed for that….maybe so but no he get cheered till he gets his 7-15 in series and 5 home runs and 11 rbi’s is all then he get booed….i hope she gives cox the bird n Tp when hits a home run!
Nite Owl
July 13th, 2009
1:26 pm
8-tracks were aggravating because a song would fade out, the thing would change tracks, and then the song would fade back in. Ridiculous.
Still, couldn’t play vinyl in the car, so it had to do until cassettes came along.
Also, the concept of Side One and Side Two is totally lost these days. That used to mean something back in the day.
Jack Hass
July 13th, 2009
1:26 pm
Did someone say BEER?
Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale made by the Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company in Kiln, Mississippi, home of none other than Brett Favre.
You haven’t lived until you enjoy a pint with a rack of succulent fall-off-the-bone ribs from “The Shack” in Ocean Springs, MS.
Jack Hass
July 13th, 2009
1:28 pm
And no, I have absolutely no financial ties to either of them.
Wish I did, though.
Johnny Fontane
July 13th, 2009
1:28 pm
I love the smell of beer in the morning.
mitch
July 13th, 2009
1:29 pm
Dear Mr. MB–not only vinyl, but a turntable and record cleaning machine. YP, Mitch
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
1:30 pm
Note to all Braves pitchers: 58 foot pitches to Captain Caveman.
Wow, a self-fulfilling column! You write "Frenchy is outta here", and a same-division rival
July 13th, 2009
1:30 pm
Enter your comments here
mitch
July 13th, 2009
1:31 pm
Mr. MB–got Buddy Holly’s Rave On and Jose Feliciano singing Miss Otis Regrets. Eat your heart out. Mitch
ATLfan15
July 13th, 2009
1:35 pm
So Francoeur feels like his struggles were due to the fact that Atlanta is not a “pro sports town”? It’s a shame that he feels it necessary to take a swipe at the fans like that…the same ones who have supported him almost his entire life (him being a local boy and all). He obviously was not happy here and wasn’t going to find his swing, but that’s not the fault of the fans. MB, he has only played two games; let’s see how he’s doing after 30-40 games and then you should write another blog.
MightyQuinn
July 13th, 2009
1:36 pm
First car I got at 16 had an 8 track and came with a copy of “Brothers and Sisters” by the Allman Brothers. Greatest driving album ever recorded. No wonder I totalled the car inside of four months!
MightyQuinn
July 13th, 2009
1:38 pm
And its possible that Jeff will get back to where he was a few years ago….its also possible that the world will end tonight. I wouldn’t bet on either one.
Jimv
July 13th, 2009
1:38 pm
Wow, a self-fulfilling column! You write “Frenchy is outta here” and a same-division rival takes him away. Would you please write about firing the Braves’ GM? Please!
Pablo
July 13th, 2009
1:40 pm
Did ‘bad blood’ start with Bravos and Francoeur after McCann got the nice contract, and coincidentally, Frenchy’s batting slide started at that time too? And did the visit to the Rangers batting coach really rock the boat?
Herschel Talker
July 13th, 2009
1:46 pm
To hell with Frenchy. He took no responsibility for his poor performance, blaming everyone else. We’ll see how long that carries on in New York before the fans throw batteries at him.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
1:48 pm
McCann – 4 time all-star. Francoeur – 0-time all-star. Frenchy is showing Otis Nixon like power these days with Sid Bream like speed.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
1:49 pm
batteries are thrown in Philly
Chris
July 13th, 2009
1:53 pm
Ask John Rocker if batteries are thrown in Queens.
Dolittle Lynn
July 13th, 2009
1:59 pm
Just like I told Loretta, “You need a little more time to learn how to cook. You need a little more time to learn to clean the house. And you need a little more time to learn to please your man the way that you are supposed to. Damn, woman, is there anything that you know how to do right now?” Frenchy just needed a little more time.
NRBQ
July 13th, 2009
2:01 pm
Mac:
If you liked the Nobody’s Fool film, you’ll absolutely love the book.
And if you read it, you will buy everything else Richard Russo has written.
Hint: start with the earliest work.
Chris Broe
July 13th, 2009
2:03 pm
Frenchy was sent to the minors because he was caught hollowing out a Louisville Slugger and pouring a pinetar-cork mixture into it. This wasn’t reported because baseball has enough problems with credibility. Last week in Atlanta, a dog was picked off second and then ejected from the game for arguing the call. Nobody even noticed that there’s not supposed to be no dogs in baseball. Where’s the supervision? What strike zone? Atlanta’s a pro-sports town, alright, a pro-sportsbra town, that is.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 13th, 2009
2:06 pm
Let’s see, if I understand Jeff’s point correctly, the lack of passion of the Atlanta pro sports fan (and corresponding interest in college sports) made it….
Hard for him to perform?
Difficult to be passionate about his job?
Made him less inclined to work?
I must be missing something here.
Wait ’til he goes 4-for-39 with no walks, a double and an RBI groundout while offering at the first pitch 27 times coming out of the all-star break. Then the rather more passionate New York professional sports fans will help him understand he was actually fortunate to have woefully underperformed in such a laid-back, forgiving environment.
cphizzle
July 13th, 2009
2:07 pm
ATLFAN15 in no form or fashion did frenchy say that you are a classic example of tryin to get crap stirred up.
Chris
July 13th, 2009
2:11 pm
Granted, I’m making this assumption from a few Bradley commenters and myself, but maybe Braves fans might show some “passion” this weekend.
That is, if they hear about Francoeur’s quote about all the great, loud Mets fans he gets to play for now, as opposed to those apathetic, backwater Braves fans.
I’ll let him hear it a little during BP. Maybe others will do it with me if his quote makes the paper.
(Not a total Francouer hater, but damn, I hate when players dump an entire fan base like that. Blame yourself, blame Bobby, blame the front office. Not the fans.)
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
2:13 pm
pro-sportsbra town…hmmmmm
A trivia question that carries - yes! - an invitation to blog | Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
2:14 pm
[...] … here’s a little trivia question for you folks. (As anyone who has been following the extremely unedifying Melanie Griffith discussion today has doubtless realized, I know way too much trivia for my own good.) Someone posed this one [...]
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
2:14 pm
I saw the beers flying at Rocker but I don’t recall any D-cells
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
2:15 pm
“Hard for him to perform?
Difficult to be passionate about his job?
Made him less inclined to work? ”
Don’t they make a pill for that?
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
2:16 pm
Chris, the powers that be should make it a point of placing the quote on that large HD Screen in Centerfield for all the less than passionate fans to see prior to each at-bat.
Bama Aaron
July 13th, 2009
2:18 pm
That’s the point I was making earlier Gov. In the couple of days since the trade he’s made a couple a comments against the fans. One of the 1st things he said was “he was looking forward to playing in front of 45k every night”.
I get the fact that he disappointed and frustrated at leaving his home town. And he’s also wanting to make a good impression with his new employer and their fans. But I don’t see the need to belittle fans who have supported you since you were in grade school.
He loves the accolades but doesn’t take the critcism well. And obviously he’d been reading plenty of the blogs barking at him the last couple of years. If his skin doesn’t get thicker he won’t last long with their fans.
ATLfan15
July 13th, 2009
2:19 pm
cphizzle, not sure I understand your comment. I’m interpreting Francoeur’s comments, just like everyone else on this blog. The fact remains: he said it and because of that, he probably will get booed by some of the fans when he comes back to Turner Field this week. I think Chris summed it up nicely in his post from 2:11pm.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 13th, 2009
2:19 pm
I remember vinyl. Got a whole rack full of it still.
Have to take exception to Francouer’s comment about the South being baseball only territory. He’s just too young to know. The South was filled with minor league teams and mill teams at one time. All very well supported. The old Atlanta Crackers were a successful franchise both on the field and at the gate. In my view the Atlanta Braves, basically from 1966-1990 (with a couple decent years thrown in there), did a lot to kill baseball interest in these parts.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 13th, 2009
2:20 pm
That should have said “football only” territory. Maybe I need one of them editor guys like MB has.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 13th, 2009
2:45 pm
Frenchy is an idiot in terms of his ‘up here its all about pro sports comment’. We may have a stronger passion for college football but in Atlanta, which is where his knucklehead is from, we follow our pro sports closely which is why we not only knew he stunk but also the degree to which his game stunk—namely his lack of plate discipline. His hot start will soon fade as it is certainly a movie we have all seen before….and returning to movies for a moment, by the way, Mark, Melanie Griffith was at her hottest in “Milk Money” with Ed Harris—seldom seen but worth the trouble as she showed off her new twin acquisitions and then some quite nicely.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
3:25 pm
I could even handle the lack of plate discipline to an extent if his power hadn’t all but disappeared. Escobar is showing more pop than Frenchy.
Ted Striker
July 13th, 2009
3:26 pm
Those offended by Frenchy’s comments don’t have the hide to endure the comments he endured during his tenure here. First off, he was merely speaking the truth.
This IS college football dominated territory — not MLB fan dominated territory. Were this were a college football blog about a UGA starter who’d transferred from Athens to UF — or vice versa — there would be 5x the number of comments.
Call me a liar, we’ll both know I’m telling the truth.
GTSteve
July 13th, 2009
3:42 pm
I cant wait until this weekend when the mets come to town. Everybody on the ATL staff should know how to get him out. I wonder if in a blow out Bmac with tell Frenchy what is coming………
IDC
July 13th, 2009
3:43 pm
I don’t care if Jeff Franceour thinks I am a good fan or not. I just know that if he goes to New York and sets the world on fire, that means he simply was not trying in Atlanta, and that he never would have tried. He got his feelings hurt when he was finally treated as any other player in the yet to end slump in was in would have been treated. He got sent down and he couldn’t handle it. He thought it “could have been handled better.” Guess what son, the next “Natural” or not, you’ve got to pay your dues and you haven’t paid them yet. Screw up in New York and you” understand what I mean.
The_Superhoo
July 13th, 2009
3:56 pm
Mark,
Did you INTEND to mispell Francoeur in the paragraph referencing the mispelling of his name on the lineup card? (You wrote “Francouer”)
If so, hilarious. If not, even more so.
Wren BLOWS
July 13th, 2009
4:10 pm
and besides he never blames the fans he just said there is a difference in the fans in ny and in atl
GTSteve
July 13th, 2009
4:12 pm
Mark, I don’t think you are a “dueche”, i enjoy your articles, and always have, even back when i read the new in paper form…..
GTSteve
July 13th, 2009
4:13 pm
Mark, I don’t think you are a “dueche”, i enjoy your articles, and always have, even back when i read the news in paper form…..
Sting 'em Buzz
July 13th, 2009
4:33 pm
I have to agree with GTSteve
lefty fielder
July 13th, 2009
4:35 pm
Yo Wren Blows
You think Bradley’s a dueche? I didn’t even know he was French. Time had run out on Francoeur. I know it, you know it, the American people know it. (Bob Dole knows it). When the Wren Blows, the cradle will rock.
25-Year Braves Fan
July 13th, 2009
4:41 pm
Bobby Cox hoped the Braves would be two games behind Philadelphia at the break. Phillies went on a tear and Braves played about the best they can. Braves are now six games behind. Second half will be more inspired effort by a club that does not have the necessary weapons to finish above third. My prediction is Philadelphia, Florida, New York, Atlanta and then the International League champions. I must commend Frank Wren for getting the pitching right. Perhaps fixing pitching and offense inside a single season was just too much to offer. I wish they had not signed Chipper Jones to a long-term deal because watching his game decline will make me cringe. He has been a unique and extraordinary player for such a long time. Watching the errors, the injuries and the singles is hard. And, we all believe Chipper is doing everything possible to add as much as possible.
DirtyDawg
July 13th, 2009
4:52 pm
Hey Jeff, Atlanta has always been a ‘pro-sports town’ whenever Atlanta’s pro sports franchises gave them something to be a fan about. You were probably still nursing momma when the Braves started their run of consecutive Division titles…the attendance and the ‘chops’ were legend…the Falcons win, the Falcons sell out…the same with the that basketball team and even the Thrashers when they made a mini-run at success a couple of years, if feels like, back.
You seem determined to burn your bridges here Jeff, so be it. If I’m at the game when you swagger back into town you can bet that you’ll get, what do they call it, ‘a Bronx Cheer’ from me…how’ll that be for a ‘pro-sports fan’…you punk.
Wren BLOWS
July 13th, 2009
5:07 pm
yeah i dont disagree time ran out…he needed to go play somewhere else cuz atl wasnt right for him….but the dueche mark doesnt need to continue to write about him and try to find bad things to write…let him go mark, i cant tell if you hate him or you wanna be gay with him, find somethin in ATLANTA to write about…maybe how the bullpen blew again for us last night…and we made the dumb choice to leave crazy mike our best reliever home
Wren BLOWS
July 13th, 2009
5:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Brendan
July 13th, 2009
5:29 pm
Thank you, Mark Bradley, for commenting on Ilya Kovalchuk and Don Waddell, and the upcoming Thrashers season. Hockey fans don’t really want to think of a “post-Kovalchuk era,” but it’s that the case, Atlanta still does have some fine prospects like Kane, Little, Valabik, Pavelec in net, maybe even a re-signed Kari Lehtonen, and there’s Zach Bogosian, too. And if Kovalchuk doesn’t re-sign, there’s so much cap room that the team could field a team with free agents, if they all agreed to come here. Something I don’t recommend. I advocate drafting prudently, then re-signing proactively.
But, I see your point, Mark. If Kovalchuk is gone, the reason to see a struggling hockey club diminishes. And in this town, there is competition for the sports dollar. People are leaning towards the Falcons, when they’re not spending for college hoops or grid iron action. I’ve actually heard people say, “Forget the Braves and Thrashers, let’s take a better family vacation this year.” Hey, I understand it. I truly do.
Mark Bradley
July 13th, 2009
7:28 pm
Thanks, Brendan. Your comments are always insightful and welcome.
And Superhoo, NO I DIDN’T misspell Francoeur’s name for effect in that paragraph. I did it out of sheer inherent stupidity. (But I have since corrected it, thanks to your copy-editing skills.)
tralfaz
July 14th, 2009
1:09 pm
Well, if Frenchy takes off in NY, maybe we’ll FINALLY take a hard look at OUR hitting coach
Dorothy Davis
July 14th, 2009
1:30 pm
I do not wish Frenchy any hitless at bats in NY, but he is certainly not “THE NATURAL” he was portrayed early in his career. I do believe the Braves got the best of the trade in an outfielder that thnks more about the game than his contract. And maybe the NY fans will convince Frenchy he actually has to perform to earn his salary before he asks for more$$$.
pinoy110
July 14th, 2009
1:36 pm
I admit I wanted Francoeur to be traded to Texas or Boston where they have excellent hitting coaches. Because the Braves tried to change him completely instead of teaching him to adjust his style. Then he goes to the Texas hitting coach to teach him what the Braves wanted to but can’t teach and they get upset. When he comes back TP keeps helping him until he so throughly confused he is doing part of everyone’s teaching. Never blame the teacher always the student. A little league coach could do better than TP. It took TP years to mess him up but you want the Texas coach to be able to straighten out immediately. In several years when he has messed up the other good players like Prado and Diaz, what will your excuse for him be then?
pinoy110
July 14th, 2009
1:47 pm
Now to Bobby Cox and his overworking of the bullpen. You should expect meltdowns. The reason starters are not lasting long enough into games is that their legs are out of shape. When a pitchers legs get tired then the pitches start to come up into the strike zone. Bobby Cox then has to call in the bullpen early and overwork it. The starting pitchers don’t do enough running. if you don’t believe me then watch their pitches start to rise in the strike zone. There are excellent starting pitchers on the Braves. Technique is only one part of pitching, the other is conditioning. David Wells looked like the Pillsbury doughboy on top but always kept his legs in excellent shape.
pinoy110
July 14th, 2009
1:52 pm
I’m sorry Bobby Cox but if the only way to get rid of Terry Pendleton as hitting coach is to move him up to manager then I want you to retire. TP would make an excellent manager. Bobby you have not earned the right to keep have losing seasons no matter how great a manager you have been in the past. And you are a Hall of Fame manager.
Time
July 14th, 2009
2:25 pm
Still disgusted over the Frenchie trade. At best it was a lateral move. At worst, all of Atlanta rues the day we traded him for a decade. My gut tells me it will be the latter.
What’s done is done though. Now just go get Andruw back. Yep, get Andruw back. Best I can tell, he looks to be healthy again and whacking homers at a nice pace. On pace for what, 28 homers given full time at bats this season. Texas is filthy with young outfielders they want to develop, so Jones is expendable and cheap. A mid level pitching prospect should do the trick. Low risk, potentially high reward. The lineup needs a ‘aircraft carrier’ in the middle badly.
Doc
July 14th, 2009
3:16 pm
Four things: 1) The only reason McCann has been a four time all-star is because he’s a catcher and you only have a handful of good ones in the NL, unlike the number of outfielders you have, genuis. Francouer had better numbers than McCann in both 2006 and 2007, but didn’t get chosen because of the large number of OF’s and limited spots.
2) The only people that made Francouer a super star was the morons in the press and you overbearing, ignorant fans. Most teams would love to have his numbers for a gold glove outfielder. Now we have two rejects and and old foogy out there trying to get the job done.
3) Frank Wren is an idiot. We continue to lose games because of the coaches on the bench, not the players. Bobby has got to go and Terry Pendleton is the absolute worst hitting coach I have ever seen in my 25 years as a Braves fan. He couldn’t help Andrew Jones or Mark DeRosa and look at them now. Oh and how is he doing with Kelly Johnson and Jordan Schaffer. He is pathetic and we will never win a World Series as long as he is in the dugout. On top of that, you don’t treat loyal, dedicated playes that love this city the way Wren does. He is absolutely clueless and should be shipped to AAA, just like the great, new leaderoff hitter of the future J. Schaffer.
4) And he is right that this is a college town not a pro town. Just look at the number of ignorant Georgia fans we have around here who couldn’t locate Athens on a map if needed, let alone attend the school.
Another wasted season, ruined more by the people off the field than on it.
Marty
July 14th, 2009
5:06 pm
Someone mentioned before that Frenchy started his decline after McCann got this big contract. But if I recall correctly, Frenchy was offered a similar long term deal and turned it down. Talk about regrets. Bet he regrets that almost as much as Meg Ryan regrets what happened to her lips. Nasty.
Skeezix
July 14th, 2009
6:21 pm
Frenchy loves NY fans huh? We’ll see….They are the ultimate fair weather fans and they can be brutal— if he goes into a slump, anything he experienced with ATL fans will be very mild in comparison. The media is much tougher than anything he experienced from the AJC or local TV/radio. He is right that, in general, the south has fans that are more college oriented and the north more pro oriented. But the city of Atlanta and a huge chunk of the south follow their Braves just as much as Mets fans follow their team. For his sake, I hope it works out for Frenchy and he turns it around–or it will get ugly. The comment above re: Queens is right—my wife and I took a wrong turn one time, wound up in Queens, U-turned it and got the hell out of there. It is a scary place.
Wren BLOWS
July 14th, 2009
6:27 pm
Doc you are a very smart man
don
July 15th, 2009
8:43 am
We have finally found someone in New York who is as ignorant as the management of the Braves. David Lennon said that the Braves rarely dump a player before his time. Man, is he dumb- and uninformed.
IDC
July 15th, 2009
9:48 am
Doc: Good God man, take a valium or something, that much anger can be harmful. By the way I think it is old “fogey”, not sure what a foogy is.