Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > July > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFavre gets past issues of passion and pride
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH (Offered at your own price):
• Ah, here it is right before my eyes, explains everything about Brett Favre and why he couldn’t possibly be thinking of un-retiring and returning to the Packers. “He has lost his passion for the game,” the story says. “I have way too much pride,” he also says, to think of not doing the things expected of him. Right out of the AJC sports section, dated last March 7.
• Are they kidding us? This Brent Lillibridge, the shortstop the Braves just sent back to Richmond, is 24 years old? And weighs 192 pounds? Looks like the senior class mascot to me. The press guide says he’ll be 25 in September.
• Well, there’s nothing as wise and error-free as afterthought. Just ask Jeff Francoeur. In March 2007, the Braves offered Brian McCann and Francoeur long-term, multi-million dollar contracts, running to 2012, with an option for an extra year. McCann took it. Francoeur gambled on his future and turned it down, holding out until he becomes eligible for arbitration. McCann looking good, Francoeur back on the farm, trying to find out what got away after two seasons of 100-plus runs batted in. This is heart-breaking stuff.
• Errie Ball, 94, last living member of the first Masters field in 1934, has been invited as a special guest to the Tour Championship at East Lake in September. As an added thought, why not invite him to strike a ceremonial first drive, sort of fill in for Tiger Woods’ absence? Don’t laugh, he still gives lessons at his club in Florida.
• Have you been missing the “Bearing Point” cap and “Ford” shirt that Phil Mickelson wore in tournaments? They have been replaced by other sponsors, and by checking the stock quotations, you’ll see why. Last time I looked, Bearing Point was selling for 80 cents a share and Ford was dipping into unexplored territory.
• In the spring I had a hunch about the Pirates as a National League darkhorse, with McLouth and Nady and Bay and Sanchez beating the offensive drums. They did appear in need of more strong starting pitcher, and I hadn’t counted on Matt Capps losing his closing touch, or Sanchez flunking at the plate. (Remember, he led the league in hitting two seasons ago.) So they’re still a darkhorse.
• You must have seen that Aaron Baddeley television commercial, with all those babes hanging out of his racy convertible. It’s something the young Aussie wishes he’d never done. “I regret that commercial,” he said. “It’s not even close to representing who I am as a person.”
• In-house stuff: Would you believe that the publisher of Sporting News was once a copyboy in our sports department? Oh, a copy boy was a guy who came running when one of our harried editors cried out, “Copy!” He ran errands and such, and Ed has done rather smartly at whatever he took on.
• Here’s one that hits the spot, straight out of Tiger Woods’ mouth: “If I was running golf, it would be all persimmon [heads] and balata [balls.]” In other words, back to the old days, restoring the glory of some of the classic old courses.
• It is quite probable that the two most enduring pitchers in the major leagues are now Phillies, Jamie Moyer and Rudy Seanez. Moyer begin his career in 1984, Seanez in 1986. Moyer is 45, Seanez will be 40 in September. Moyer is the oldest starter since Phil Niekro.
• It slipped under the radar, that the Braves severed their strength and conditioning coach, Frank Fultz, but at the same time, made it clear that his departure was in no way connected to all the crashing bodies and suffering arms around him. Just a case of bad timing and cranky relationships.
• And how can a player who has spent five to 10 years in the Japanese major league be classed as a “rookie” in the USA? … Selah.
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By frank
July 5, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Forgot one thing Fisher.. the obligatory “And whatever happened to _”
By Al Oliver
July 5, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Pirates a darkhorse? Really? Sorry, I’m not buying it.
By BravesFan79
July 5, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Farve PLEASE COME BACK!! Please give me something to cheer about since my #1 team isnt going to do anything this year.
GO GREEN BAY!
As they say…..gluck to GB’s new quarterback…. break a leg! no ….serious…. break your freakin leg…no one wants to see you play! BRING BACK FARVE!!!!
By allan waldron
July 5, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
I agree about Lillibridge. Guy doesn’t even look old enough to drive or to shave. I bet he has a hard time getting into some bars with his baseball buddies.
If golf were to go back to persimmon woods and balata balls, I suspect that Tiger would be even more dominant than he is now. I feel confident that he would adjust very well to the stricter tolerances associated with the older equipment, while a lot of the young generation would have a much harder time of it.
I also agree that classifying veteran Japanese players as rookies is a farce.
By Leslie Lillibridge
July 5, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Brent has put up with comments since his freshman year of college at UofW. It’s getting a little old, and yes so is he. We all should be so blessed to look younger than we are. He has good genes.
By Francoeurphobe
July 5, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Francoeur back on the farm… This is heart-breaking stuff.
Yes. MY heart is broken that Francoeur will make a few less millions. There hasn’t been as sad a story since Donald Trump hit a rough patch a few years back.
By Max Sizemore
July 5, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Thanks for setting us all straight, Momma Lillibridge. Your son seems like a fine young man, and all Braves fans wish him the very best.
By kirknga
July 5, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
And how can a player who has spent five to 10 years in the Japanese major league be classed as a “rookie” in the USA? …
When we start counting Japanese stats then we can complain. We don’t recognize them because their major leagues is seen to be equivalent to our minor leagues. It really is a simple concept.
By Ed
July 5, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Why does Francoeur think he should continue to go to the plate clueless and praying that the pitcher hits his bat. Man-up go down and get your swing back. Then you can get payed.
By NS in Kennesaw
July 5, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
To Jeff Francoeur,
Fans do pay their hard earn money to go watch the games and buy those apparels to show their support to the Bravo. Most fans do not earn even half of your $400,000 a year (which in your view this is pocket changes because you were expecting much more by turning down the Bravo long term contract).
I appreciated that you played hurt in the past and did a great job. From the fan point of view, we did show our appreciations in return.
What we’d like to see is the Bravo back in decent forms and play a little more respectable balls.
Like I said, everything here is performance based. We still like you, so . .
Keep your head clear off those big time money and focus on getting back in playing up to your ability. At the same time, zip up a bit as the stuff you are saying to the press is not helping you. What is said behind the closed door, should stay in that room. It is for your own privacy (now in and future).
So,… I do hope you get back in form soon and look forward to seeing you back with the Bravo again soon
By Johnny Unitas
July 6, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this
Dear Furman, Have read you for years. My opinion about Bret is that he is the Poster Boy for “Athletes Without a Life”—What are Bret’s choices write the Great American Novel or help Stephen Hawking with String Theory?. You have heard Bret—He is a country bumpkin who was blessed with the ability to throw a football or he ends up behind the counter in a Bait and tackle Shop in Houma, Louisiana. My only hope for this redneck is that his last play on a field doesn’t do him sufficient harm to destroy the rest of his life. He’s getting older and more vulnerable and opponents are getting younger, meaner, nastier and bigger. Not a good equation. The scary—and PATHETIC—thing is his family IS ENCOURAGING him. He can’t be that PITIFUL to have around the house—Can he???
This is sad!!!! Real sad!!If the Fading Pro Football Superstar had a trainer—The towel would have been tossed in. Let’s all hope this guy doesn’t get wheeled off of a field.
Bret, Try Rome, Thailand, China, great big World out there show it to your relatives and learn something about who came before you. Like John McKay said “There are a billion Chinese who don’t care if we win or lose”—-There are probably a few more now. Meet either some of the ones there or other parts of the World. More to life than 16 NFL stadiums and a pond in Slidell or Whereever, LA.
By Roger Roid
July 6, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this
Johnny U, You don’t think he quitting do you/ This guy has taken Clemens’stale act and refined it. The onlyreason you don’t hear about Steroid Boy is nobody touches him, including probably his wife after he outed her.
By Varoadrunner
July 6, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
If Frenchy doesn’t change his attitude, he could be playing outfield for the Royals. He has had a wonderful opportunity with the Braves. Brought up early to play in the bigs and he goes into a hellacious slump. Or is it a slump? I think he is a head case and his emotions and words since being sent down onlt reinforces his holiness’s head problems. His problem at the plate is MENTAL! Same as Andruw - “I must pull!
Pitchers have adjusted and Jeff is (apparently) unable to adjust. Maybe Wellman can turn him around and if he is successful, Wellman should be our hitting coach.
When a team is hitting like the Braves are, there should be changes - Pendleton goes and Wellman comes in to replace him. So long TP.
But back to Frenchy, shape up or (expect) to be shipped out. We don’t need the attitude.
By Bo
July 6, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Viva La Frenchy, we all appreciate what you did the last two years, thats not the problem. The problem is you’re not doing it this year and its killing the TEAM. We still love you but we want to win and your not helping. Its not the past that counts its NOW! Bobby has forgot how to win by leaving A. Jones and You in games to suffer the results.(PUT PLAYERS ABOVE TEAM) I pray you will prove you can get it together again…Please just shut-up and do it.
By MM
July 6, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
Why Furman should run for Governor:
What a politician, talk about things no one cares about or only things everyone agrees with! Why would anyone read this? I’m calling you out, Furman. Write a friggin’ sports column for once or let the AJC hire someone who will. And Furman, one last thing: you’re old. You can complain about your order at Denny’s at this age. So make a negative comment for once because at this age, does it really matter if you make someone mad?
By Paul
July 6, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Frenchy, we appreciate all you have done, but if you were caught off guard, you were the ONLY person who was. I truly hope that you are back doing what you are capable of doing soon, but for now, cut the attitude and stop pouting.
The pouting has hurt you more than the slump- button it and agjust your swing, or yes, you WILL be in the Royals’ outfield soon. The Braves have a history of class, and this last week, you failed to reflect it.
By sportsnut4
July 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
http://www.total-e-sports.blogspot.com
By rick
July 9, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Bring Farve to Atlanta PLEASE…let him finish his carreer where it started and offer mentorship to Ryan…….
By mars
July 16, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Favre needs Chicago. Chicago needs Favre. No other scenario is even remotely workable. However, Favre needs Chicago. Chicago needs Favre.
By Dan
August 28, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Furman, I think its great that Claude Humphrey has been nominated for the NFL Hall of Fame.
This would be a great time to start giving some press for Tommy Nobis for that same honor
Are the following LB’s any better than Tommy?
Bobby Bell (also DE) 1963-1974 Nick Buoniconti 1962-1974, 1976 Dick Butkus 1965-1973 Harry Carson 1976-1988 George Connor (also DT, OT) 1948-1955 Bill George 1952-1966 Jack Ham 1971-1982 Ted Hendricks 1969-1983
Sam Huff 1956-1967, 1969 Jack Lambert 1974-1984 Willie Lanier 1967-1977 Ray Nitschke 1958-1972 Joe Schmidt 1953-1965 Mike Singletary 1981-1992 Lawrence Taylor 1981-1993 Andre Tippett 1982-1993 Dave Wilcox 1964-1974