Mark Bradley

By BASEBALL KEN

June 19, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Why do we have to give Frenchy a pass? Just because he’s a local hero? He needs to learn the strike zone, and it seems to me as if he has lost a step, defensively. He is looking more like Brad Komminsk than DALe Murphy. Oh yeah, that “he’s young thing”, tell that to Grady Sizemore or Josh Hamilton.

By BASEBALL KEN

June 19, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

Why do we have to give Frenchy a pass? Just because he’s a local hero? He needs to learn the strike zone, and it seems to me as if he has lost a step, defensively. He is looking more like Brad Komminsk than DALe Murphy. Oh yeah, that “he’s young thing”, tell that to Grady Sizemore or Josh Hamilton.

By Dwayne

June 19, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

The problem with Frenchy is the problem the whole Braves team has. They always say its early and its a long season, etc, etc, etc. No sense of urgency, and lack of fundementals. A few more young stars, Carlos Quentin, Connor Jackson, Brandon Phillips. No excuses for these guys, they are all having great years.

By Navigator

June 19, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

I wasn’t one of the those that wrote nasty things, but I also don’t think the kid is or will be a star. We get rid of one player (A. Jones) that cannot consistently know a strike, only to be saddled with another. He needs to mature a bit, and mostly give up the idea that he is as good as Brian McCann. When they were kids, Francoeur was the big flashy star, but in the big league’s it’s McCann. McCann knows the strike zone, and will probably be an all star catcher for a long time. I think Francoeur is having a problem with McCann’s success, whether he admits it or not. The other words that come to mind is whether Francoeur is coachable as hitter. AJones wasn’t, and maybe he isn’t either.

By chc4

June 19, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Jeff is clueless at the plate and I just don’t see him developing the gift of plate awareness. He is an easy out so why we keep batting him 5/6 is beyond me.

By PMC

June 19, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

I don’t know anyone that hates Frenchy, the bottom line though is that he wants to make big money for a long time….. and he’s not remotely proven that he’s worth it at the plate. He’s undiciplined and unproductive. Slumps don’t last 2 years.

I like Frenchy a lot, but if he’s not producing… he dosen’t need to be a Brave just because he’s from Gwinnett County. He’s turned down some respectable money already because he thinks he’s worth more… Ok prove it.

No one hates Frenchy, but someone has to be critical. This is one of the softest media towns in the country… geez. Once he gets his average up to around .290 again hits to all fields and becomes more patient people will get off his case… until then, why the hell would anyone blindly cheer?

By Art

June 19, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

You know I have been somewhat down on Frenchy this year as everytime he seems like he is trying to hit one over the fence. Last nite he had a smooth swing on an outside pitch and hit into centerfield for a hit. If he would just attempt to hit to rightfield for a few games I believe that will help end his slump.

By FanMale

June 19, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Please remember all these kids are learning how to hit from “T.P.” Have mercy on them!

By coach k

June 19, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Jeff a very nice kid, ok. But your in the big leagues and you are expected to produce..At least look like you have a clue. He is coming up toooooooooooo many times with men in scoring position and not even making good outs. Fly ball get the run home from 3rd. He needs to be platooning with brandon jones and batting 8th. When he shows some kind of progress at the plate then look at moving him but infante needs to be everyday player in left, blanco in center and leading off and platoon in right

By Jonny

June 19, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

My main beef with Frenchy —and it’s not personal— is that he bails out EVERY swing with his lead foot. If the pitch is on the outside corner or beyond, he’s toast.

By PMC

June 19, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

We’ve moved Kelly Johnson all over the place other players move, what Makes Frenchy a 5th or 6th in the line up guy locked in for life? How many double plays and strike out combinations have you seen Mark T and Jeff Francour hit into??? Countless. It’s almost assinine to keep putting these guys back to back, that’s why McCann was moved inbetween. Frenchy needs to FORGET about power numbers and get the average over .300 that will bring the RBI’s up. The biggest problem with both of those guys is that Chipper has a RIDICULOUS OPS and they aren’t driving him in. Frenchy is supposed to be a clutch player, the last 2 years… not so good. You want the money… you have to EARN it. Effort won’t earn a dime… production will.

By Champs Again

June 19, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

What we need is to get rid of Pendleton and hire a real (proven) hitting coach. Pendleton seems to work with players and then they get all messed up. McCann and Chipper have their own coaches. Their dads. Maybe McCanns dad can get the pitching coach job. Something has to change there.

By Supes

June 19, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Mr Bradley

While I’m glad this is finally a topic worth writting about here at the AJC online, I thnk you’ve taken the wrong side of the argument.

You are defending Jeff Francouer based on what? What have you seen this season from Jeff to merit your position in this online article?

Please don’t use the he’s only 24 year old excuse. Look at other young players in the NL East. You know who…Marlins have a few, so do the Mets and the Phillies. All of them have gotten better over their first 3-4 seasons in the majors, not regressed like Jeff Francouer has done in 2008.

Jeff has always enjoyed a free pass from the AJC media (with the exception of DOB who tells it like it is, but he doesn’t get to write big front page articles like you, Jeff Shultz or Terrance Moore do).

The whole point is, if this was NYC, he wouldn’t be able to show his face in town b/c his performance speaks for itselt. He’s failed the Braves in every way this season, and it’s a shame they’ve realied heavily on him batting him 5 or 6 most nights in the order, so he comes up to hit with RISP and has failed time and time again, and in the clutch. Look up the stats last season of how many RISP, or 2 out RISP did Jeff had. He was leading the league at one point.

This season his swing is full of holes, and he’s Andruw Jones like (of 2007 with the Braves) in striking out and grounding into DP with RISP or men on base period.

Jeff was hyped up, and he delivered a very solid first 2 full seasons. That is why fans like myself feel like we’ve been cheated in 2008 by Jeff. The numbers are not there…it’s mid June. Unless Jeff goes on some incredible streak from July to September to have a great second half, he’ll end up with lesser numbers again for a 3rd straight year. Maybe he’s not the “natural” we were promised to believe he was, or the all star caliber player. Maybe he’s just a good, serviceable RF and nothing more. Are you blaming the fans for having expectations of a NUMBER one draft pick…the 17th overall pick in that year’s draft?

Fact is Jeff Francoeur is protected b/c he’s a hometown kid, and b/c the ATL media market is soft on him b/c he is a very nice guy and all of that jazz.

I have nothing personal against Jeff Francouer. I wish him the best, and I want to see him turn it around, but I’ve seen NOTHING so far in 2008 that indicates he will do so. I hope he proves me wrong. Until then, I know he won’t be criticized from the likes of you, so I hope some fans with courage (not afraid of backlash b/c of the many fans he has in town) speak out on this and let everyone know he is killing this Braves team with his lack of production in the middle of the batting order.

By jds

June 19, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

We’re getting fed up with Francoeur because he’s killing us! It’s hard for me to cheer for a guy who either pops up or strikes out every at bat. I love the guy, but it’s like he’s not even trying.

By Champ

June 19, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Maybe it’s because he has come up with the bases loaded something like 18 times this year and is 2 for 18 in those situations…

By Gene

June 19, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

If the solution for Francoeur is to trade him, the Braves could get something in return, and Frenchy would come back to haunt Atlanta as many others have, like Mark DeRosa. Jeff is never going to be a great hitter, but he can do better and probably will. The Braves still have a chance at the playoffs, but as a team, they are missing that spark that they had in the early 90’s that was similar to the style of the Georgia team in the CWS. Some of the present Braves, Frenchy included, seem “dazed and confused.” There are too many injuries. Maybe Bobby needs to hire Mike Ditka as motivational and conditioning coach to whip them into shape.

By Peter

June 19, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

It is not about hate Mark….it is about understanding the strike zone, and situational hitting.

And truly it appears Frenchy knows very little about either situation.

By Reid in EAV

June 19, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

I hear ya on the nasty comments — that’s the culture we live in. Instant gratification and “what have you done for me lately?” I’ve been a lot rougher on Tex for putting up nearly the same numbers, if only because he’s a rent-a-player with no professed loyalty, with Scott Boras for an agent — which means that he’ll be looking for well north of $20M/year in 2009 and beyond.

I’m frustrated with Frenchy, but I’m convinced that he will come around. After all, we have time before the Tex-sized contract is a consideration. (And I know that as frustrated as I am, he’s even more so — in fact, trying to do too much may be one of his problems.) Finally, I’m really starting to suspect that he’s playing hurt.

I will say this for our fanbase. As much flack as we get for being apathetic and laid-back, isn’t it a positive sign that we care enough to hold our major leaguers’ feet to the fire like this? (Granted, some of the nasty comments I could do without, but it’s still a far cry from how nasty NY Mets fans would be on a regular basis.)

It really would have been better for Jeff if he coulda snuck into the bigs without all the hoopla and SI’s “The Natural” — our expectations have been perhaps improperly raised for someone who will probably turn out to be an average-to-above-average career major leaguer… and whose fault is that?

By Joe

June 19, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

The venom is there, because we are continually fed the line about how he is the local Golden Boy who is a great player.

The fact of the matter is, he is a very average player who does not seem to want to get better.

Any average Joe sitting in front of their television can watch three Braves’ games and know that Frenchy is going to swing at the first pitch of an at bat every single time.

The anger is based on the frustration of seeing a guy with lots of physical tools who seemingly refuses to get better. If he would simply learn to approach every at bat the way Chipper does, he would suddenly be a lot better as a clutch hitter. As it stands now, he is basically another Andruw Jones, a guy that we know will never do anything when it matters.

By floyd

June 19, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

I guess you don’t have Andruw Jones to pick on anymore. I was just waiting to see how long would it be before the media picks their whooping boy, It just so happens to be it’s golden boy,also

By Just a fan

June 19, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

When he arrived at spring training bulked up and with the expressed intention of hitting a lot of home runs this year, it was predictable that his strike outs would go up and his batting average go down. He apparently sees himself as a star but I suspect there is a reason the Braves have not offered the long term contract he wants.

By Steve

June 19, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

As far as TP goes I am just glad he hasn’t taught the braves players to adjust their cup between every swing. That being said, Jeff has been bothered by the ankle, personally he might should have been dl’d because of it instead of trying to play through it because its obvious he has lost some outfield speed, his continuos game streak blinded Bobby I think before its too late. Maybe when Kotsay comes back they can rest Frenchy more cause to me he just looks tired.

By Maurice

June 19, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

He is 2 for 18 with the bases loaded, with about half of those outs double plays. You’re complaining about the venomous comments about him. Get a grip! If it were Andruw Jones, you would be all over his batting stance, his penchant for swinging at outside pitches way out of the strike zone, and his inability to hustling down the line. You know that sounds a lot like Frenchy! Stop sticking up for this “professional” baseball player and giving an excuse for his sorry playing. He sticks right now and forever. Don’t get me started on Tex. How come no one on this team is taking a cue from Chipper at the plate? These guys are getting the same pitches to hit and they are whiffing on them. Professional baseball players my left butt check! They play worse than the whole UGA College Baseball Team!

By Notre Don't

June 19, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Jeff is great for Atlanta and he’s truly one of the favs on the team. But he does need to be more patient at the plate. Actually, Terry Pendelton should be the one on the hot seat. If you look at Escobar, Frenchy, Brandon Jones (I can’t figure out how a big leaguer doesn’t know how to lay down a bunt), etc … there seems to be a lack of patience and a lack of knowledge at the plate. Hudson had a awful inning and needed some rest. The FIRST PITCH of the next inning was swung on by Escobar for an out. Even I know you take some pitches to give your pitcher a rest. It’s not Jeff’s fault … TP is just not that great of a hitting coach.

PS: it could be worse … the Braves could be Notre Dame

By hunterj6

June 19, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Baseball Ken…I’m sorry, but what Major League team do you play for. Please, tell me more about this strike zone you speak of. Maybe all the HD TV realistic capabilities is causing you to believe you are in the game. Just to remind you, you are on the couch, miles away from the stadium.

By g

June 19, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

It’s not that he’s struggling that is so frustrating, but the fact that he doesn’t respect the strike zone. He’s undisciplined at the plate. He’s pretty much our Andruw Jones of 2008.

By Dave In Tampa

June 19, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

People who are bad mouthing Jeff are a bunch of losers that don’t understand the game of baseball. Slumps happen. Bottom line. Babe Ruth even went into a slump in 1925.

These are the same losers that rode the pines in little league, were not good at the game and are jealous because others have succeeded where they could not.

Get a life people. It’s a game who are you to rip a player a part because he is going through a slump. I’m sure that you are always the top producer at your place of employment.

By Ben

June 19, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

He has no plate discipline. He looks overweight to me for an outfielder. I don’t know if TP is the hitter’s problem or not but Jeff is regressing instead of progressing.

By Tucker

June 19, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

How quickly we forget in 1993, we brought up a young SS who was a free swinger as well A number of us said to get rid of him. Somehow Chipper worked out OK. Francour will work out fine and he will become the bedrock of this franchise. Frenchy has the talent and more so, the work ethic to become a perennial All Star.

By Matt

June 19, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

I think it’s there’s backlash for a multitude of reasons. I still really like Francouer, but I just get so frustrated watching him sometimes. It’s sad when you start dreading when one of your supposedly best players comes up with two men on and one man out. But that’s what I (and many Braves fans) are doing, because he has become a double play and strikeout machine. I don’t dislike Francoeur, but I wish more attention at Turner Field and in the Braves’ marketing was paid to McCann, Escobar, and Jurrjens, who are the three best young players we have. It gets a little annoying to see Francoeur plastered all over the place in the midst of what appears to be a regression at the plate. Does he deserve credit? Absolutely. He’s had a couple of solid seasons at the plate (remember he did hit almost .300 last year, even if it did cost him in HR). But we’ve got a two time all star behind the plate, a Pedro-like young starter, and the NL’s next great shortstop. I think at this point people are tired of hearing about Francoeur and ready for him to be the monster we all hoped him to be. The realization may soon come that he’ll never be quite THAT great, but there’s nothing wrong with a Gold Glover who can hit you 20-25 HR and hit about .270 (hopefully). What the Braves, Francoeur, and the fans need to realize is that’s all he might be and learn to adjust their expectations accordingly.

By David

June 19, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Terrible article, Mark - nothing more than a weak defense of your buddy with zero to back it up. “Right where it needs to be”? Guys like Frenchy and Tex need to understand that stats at the end of the year matter only to Scott Boras - striking out with the bases loaded in April, May, June…….and losing those games? Can’t be erased by a hot August or September once your team is out of the race. This kid is selfish and needs to sit the bench to get his head on straight - he has too much talent to be regressing. And make no mistake, he is regressing - he looks lost at the plate.

By Ben

June 19, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

He has no plate discipline. He looks overweight to me for an outfielder. I don’t know if TP is the hitter’s problem or not but Jeff is regressing instead of progressing.

By Keepin it real

June 19, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley….are you kidding me! There was venom, and there still is venom coming from people towards Andruw Jones who (aside from his last season with the Braves) was guaranteed to give you 100+ RBI’s and right at 30 HRs….plus the strike outs, but even with that he would at least give you some effort in the outfield.

Like the good ol question goes…Frenchy what have you done for me lately? There was a stat mentioned last night that Jeff was 4 for 17 this season in bases loaded situations. Guess what he did last night in that situation…he struck out looking. You do the math, I do the math, thats 72 men that he’s had on in that situation. It’s safe to say that at least 60 of those men were stranded on base — thats the least amount, its probably a little bit higher.

Can he turn this around is the big question and right now he hasn’t shown that he has the focus to do so. Hopefully he goes on a stretch of good hitting because we will definitely need his bat if we are going to chase down the Phillies and Marlins.

By Reid in EAV

June 19, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Also: I respectfully submit that 2-for-18 with bases loaded (.111 average) would get any fanbase rather cranky. Particularly when just a few more hits would mean just about that many more Ws in the standings.

By Mike

June 19, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

For such a strong guy who has added muscle in the off season, Frenchy’s bat seems to just drag through the strike zone. What’s he swinging — a whole tree?

By Ross

June 19, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Nobody wants to see him succeed more than I do, but the guy is sooooo impatient at the plate, it drives me bonkers. It’s the exact reason Andruw drove me nuts. He swings at the first pitch 98% of the time, no matter where it is. There isn’t a pitcher in MLB that is scared of hit. He definitely needs to come down in the order, at a minimum. He hasn’t shown me anything to deserve a big contract. The only thing he has shown me, is that he can be average at best.

By Bailer

June 19, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

looking back to the time jeff was called up, radio, newspaper, tv, everything has been praising him as a wonderful player & kid. ever since high school he has had all this attention. remember in the tv program how his mom and dad spoke of him asking them to leave the room so he bcould talk to the brave scouts alone, 18 yrs old. he is like andruw jones, he knows everything and no one can tell anything. his mind is messed up from all this attention. TRADE him while you can get ssomething for him. think i dont know what Im talking about? I hope you are right.

By braves gurl

June 19, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

I don’t hate Francoeur, but I’ve always felt he was dubbed the “Golden Boy” prematurely. McCann is clearly the more mature player with a keen understanding of the strike zone and a willingness to be patient at the plate. Francoeur talks about becoming more patient but rarely displays that patience. He is single-handedly responsible for wasting countless scoring opportunities. Other teams don’t fear his bat, or if they do they need to consult the scouting report.
As a fan, it’s frustrating to watch, as I’m sure it’s frustrating for him. But he gets paid a lot of money to play and produce and has said he wants a David Wright type contract. Well, pal, you’d better have a better year than the one you’ve got going. And Mark Bradley, you’re chastising the fans for holding their team responsible for mediocre play? Boy are you screwed up.

By Maurice

June 19, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

He is 2 for 18 with the bases loaded, with about half of those outs double plays. You’re complaining about the venomous comments about him. Get a grip! If it were Andruw Jones, you would be all over his batting stance, his penchant for swinging at outside pitches way out of the strike zone, and his inability to hustling down the line. You know that sounds a lot like Frenchy! Stop sticking up for this “professional” baseball player and giving an excuse for his sorry playing. He sticks right now and forever. Don’t get me started on Tex. How come no one on this team is taking a cue from Chipper at the plate? These guys are getting the same pitches to hit and they are whiffing on them. Professional baseball players my left butt check! They play worse than the whole UGA College Baseball Team!

By no hitting genius

June 19, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Why hasn’t Frenchy learned patience at the plate? He has been playing baseball all his life. Work the count. The word is out he swings at the first pitch. Don’t swing at it, make the pitcher work to get you out. He needs to stop trying for the fence with every swing.
I agree - get Pendleton out of the bullpen.

By Mark C.

June 19, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand the venom towards Francouer (or to Bobby or Tex or a few others), but I think the frustration with him comes from the lack of improvement we’ve seen since his first full season. He’s really the same player now as he was then, but people expected a super star by now.

By bwash21

June 19, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Because he gets alot of local notoriety people around here are expecting more from him than he may be able to deliver. He’s a damn good young baseball player who is still learning the game. There are 31 other MLB teams that are salivating over him if he ever becomes available. Baseball players start peaking around age 27-28 and usually put up their best seasons in the course of the next 3-4 years following. He is still 3-4 years away from reaching his potential so for now, YES, you are supposed to give him a pass. If he can give us .260-270, 18-25 HR’s, 100+ RBI’s, and 90 some runs out of the 6th hole, we’ll take it. Name more than a few others in the NL who produce those numbers out of the 6 hole in the lineup. None of those have led the league in OF assists either. On top of that he is local kid who does everything else right and stays out of trouble. Give me a break you overzealous so called fans. What did Dale Murphy’s #’s look like when he was age 22-24? At age 22 - he hit .226 with 23 HR, 79 RBI Age 23 - he was hurt and .276, 21, 57 Age 24 - .281, 33, 89 Age 25 - he was hurt .247, 13, 50. Murphy also hit 3rd. Franceour is hitting 6th and his #’s are very comparable…..give him time folks. Murphy’s peak yrs were 26-31. Things will get better and I hope it’s in a Braves uniform.

By Randy

June 19, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

So what is Brian McCann’s excuse, Mark?

By Hoosier Aaron

June 19, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Braves fans obviously have a high “Baseball IQ”. We also expect that from our players. Frenchy is a tremendous talent..TREMENDOUS. However, he seems to have the exact same approach at the plate regardless of the situation. It doesn’t matter if the bases are loaded, the pitcher just walked two guys on 8 pitches or he is the first batter in the 5th inning of a scoreless game…he’s gonna hack from his heels and air-condition the park. WHY in the world would an opposing pitcher throw him a strike?Absolutely no reason in the world to do that in any situation. One thing I wish Bobby Cox would do is show Frenchy some Dale Murphy video of how to act after a strike out. Does he always have to argue with the umpire? I hate to see him constantly argue. When you’re hitting .250 with no plate-discipline - it’s not the umpires fault you’ve hacked at three pitches in the left-handed batters box.

By TampaBrave

June 19, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Why do we look at this in terms of what’s best for JF? What is best for the team? I’m not saying get rid of the guy, that’s stupid, however, a short stint in the minors doing some instructional training is not beyond the realm of possibilities. More likely, a short time platoon situation could allow for some introspection and provide relief if there are indeed fatigue issues. Right now, JF is part of the Brave’s future. Let’s give him a hand up and not a ticket out of town.

By BlackberryCobbler

June 19, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Bradley— Braves fans are sick and tired of lame-@$$ excuses. To me, Francine is just another over-hyped but average player. I, and anyone else that will get there nose out of Jeff’s butt, knows that. I have seen nothing out of Francine that convinces me that he is and will be a star. The media and some Braves fans are willing to too easily forgive him just becuase he’s a local product. The truth is that baseball is full of .260 hitting outfielders— as a matter of fact, he is probably among the worst outfielders in the major leagues this year. What erks me is his mouthing off during spring training and at the beginning of the season about how this was going to be his year to really step it up a notch. Fran-cine needs to go and take Te-she-ra with him!

By Jeff

June 19, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

I think we nag on Frenchy for his poor hitting perfomance lately but the main reason is bc/ he is from ATL. We want our hometown boy to be the poster child for the new Braves. I still agree Cox needs to put him in the bottom of the lineup. I totally agree with “big money, big hitting” concept. He needs to step it up..NOW!!! before he turns into AJones.

By T

June 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The reason why Mr Bradley is the same reason why we were suppose to get on Andruw Jones for not performing.

By justin

June 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The only reason I’m p** at him is he turned down the contract the Braves offered him because he is looking for David Wright money. Say what you want about David Wright, but he has proven to be a VASTLY superior player.

Also at 24 it’s not good when you are regressing at the plate instead of moving forward.

By Sam

June 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

When you cost a team 1st place or at least a very close 2nd place, then it is time to be benched or moved WAY down the order. The announcers mentioned 2 for 18 last night with the bases loaded. How many more ‘two men on base’ situations did he fail in too? Yes his lack of clutch hitting is the difference between 1st place and where they are at now. How long are fans supposed to wait for ONE player? He is destroying the Braves year. Even with all the injuries this team has suffered they would still be at or near the top. He is like an automatic out every time he steps to the plate in the clutch this year. Thank heavens he wasn’t signed long term!

By chc4

June 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The media in ATL is so soft. Most other places he’d be getting killed. But Bradley writes a “Poor Frenchy” article. Classic!!!!!!!

By Keith Helms

June 19, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Jeff is not waiting on the pitch or going the other way like he did last year. That raises more than one question. If you know any of the answers, please post them for us and Jeff. 1. It seems that last year was a show for us and for a big contract. His buddy received his and their is naturally some concern in his mind that he hasn’t. Has he let this gnaw at his gut and ruin this year? 2. Does T.P. understand the reason he is not hitting, whether it is mental or something mechanical? Is he accepting coaching or is he like Andruw Jones and thinks he above coaching from others? 3. Is the league catching up with the new kid after a couple of good years? If he can’t adjust,well this is the real Jeff, and explains why Cox and Seurholz have not offered that big contract.

By brian

June 19, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

I said it before, and I will say it again.. BRAD KOMMINSK? Those of us who are “From Atlanta”, not “HOTLANTA”, not the “ATL”, know who he was suppose to be. (for those of you who don’t, he was the next “DALE MURPHY”). I actually like Frency a lot. He is a good player, and he is having an OK year. So what? He is allowed to do that. If you really want to get technical, the whole team is under performing, other than Chipper, but in all honesty, where would the Braves be without him? How to fix the problem: Trade Tex, get some good young hitters and an arm or two (they are available). Atlanta, HOTlanta, ATL, can’t resign him. Thank you Scott Boras. Let them develop along with Frency, McCann, et. al and see where that goes.. My 2cents

By runbird

June 19, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more with Navigator’s thoughts on the Mccann/Francouer divide. I grew up playing with both and Francouer always received WAYY more attn. than Brian. The two were always in competition and still are whether either wants to admit or not. Ever notice how when one is striping the ball or has a hot streak the other is ice cold? I’ve always said the two should be nowhere near eachother in the order for this reason. Francouer will come around, but probably not until Brian goes in his annual slump and drops his average to around .278.

By BAMAToNE

June 19, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

A lot of us are p** because this was supposed to be his “break out” year (added 15 lbs. of muscle, etc.) and we drafted him earlier than we otherwise would have. Frenchy is one of the weakest links on my fantasy team.

Fantasy aside, as a Braves fan I get ticked off when he routinely leaves 2 and 3 men on base as he’s batting with 2 outs - which seems to be the norm these days.

By RandallPinkFloyd

June 19, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Get off the kid’s back. He’s young, he’ll turn it around this season.

By Steve

June 19, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Now Tex on the other hand really deserves some ire. For the level of talent we gave up to get him, I am not exactly seeing much in return. Maybe its because he is worried about his contract. It is time Tex got straightened out.

By TURTSNAP

June 19, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley Thanks for the article. I agree with you and don’t understand why there is so much hate for Frenchy. The kid competes and has always been able to adjust in every level of his playing career. What really makes me sick is when people draw comparisons to him and A. Jones. They need to pay close attention to your next to last paragraph, Frenchy is only 24 people!!!! Good Grief!!!!!

By Chop House Dude

June 19, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

I’m really not impressed with Frenchy at all this year. The guy swings for the fences every time. He chases everything low and away and it’s frustrating to me. He’s trying to get that 30-homer goal he set on 680 The Fan.

He doesn’t even look comfortable in left field. He’s slower than ever after putting on that 30 lbs of meat in the offseason. I do like having that cannon out there but rarely do I see him dive for balls. Hell, the guy used to be a WR and DB in football where did all of that athleticism go??

For now I say at least bat him behind McCann. Frenchy has left too many runners on base the past couple of weeks.

By MikeJones

June 19, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

2 for 18 with bases loaded. End of conversation.

By Rob

June 19, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Jeff is one of the WORST RF in the game today, at least from an offensive perspective. LOOK AT HIS NUMBERS, MARK. Yes, he’s “only” 24- but he’s also REGRESSING from his previous seasons, and if he continues down the same path he’s exhibited to date in 2008 in 09, 10, etc., he will have absolutely no trade value whatsoever. He has no idea of what to do at the plate in each AB. He either is completely stubborn in his approach or truly has the worst pitch recognition of any major league baseball player this side of Neifi Perez. He has been and continues to be an absolute black hole and drain on this team’s offense, and has shown ZERO consistency to give us fans any hope that he will rebound.

TRADE HIM FOR YOUNG PITCHING WHILE YOU STILL CAN. Someone like Greinke from Kansas City, who would be an ace on a competitive team. Dayton Moore would probably make the deal considering his ties to Atlanta and the JS/Wren regime (not to mention they still owe us for the horrible Dotel for Davies trade…).

GET RID OF FRENCHY RIGHT NOW. Please. No more excuses.

By ATLien

June 19, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Was anybody surprised by what ensued last night with bases loaded and one out with Tex and Frenchy due up. Another opportunity to open up a lead is blown when Tex and Frenchy stike out. More importantly we blow a win for Jojo who pitched a gem. It’s the same reoccuring story with these two. Imagine the RBI totals they could had if they would bring in Chipper and his ridiculous on base percentage just at an average clip. And although Frenchy has been less than mediocre, Tex has been equally unstellar. They BOTH deserve blame for the lack of production from the middle of the lineup… And what’s up with McCann’s defense? It’s the equivalent of Corky Miller’s bat. The Rangers only two runs scored last night after reaching third base on a McCann passed ball and a throwing error into centerfield.

By Andruw (I can't hit a curve ball either)

June 19, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Hey Jeff, come on out here to LA, it’s great. The weather, the money, the women, the tattoo parlors…here nobody cares if you can hit or not (look at me, I sure as bacon can’t) and they pay big bucks. Given that its all about the money, come on over.

Geez, you would think the fans in Atlanta wanted to win a World Series or something…

By RG

June 19, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Frenchy plays a very good RF (except for not cutting the ball off the other night) with a cannon arm. Unfortunately, he has been bad at the plate. I think getting hit in the face (again) this spring. He is bailing out on every pitch. I like him but he really should be hitting about .220 because he has gotten more bloopers and seeing-eye singles than anyone I can remember.

By Mr. Impatient

June 19, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

I say we trade Frenchy now while there’s still some value there. The guy is done. There’s no way he can EVER salvage his career. I’m just not willing to wait for him to come around. I mean, this is the Atlanta Braves. We’re all about winning! Who wants to sit through decades of mediocrity with a team or a couple months of a batting slump with a potential Hall of Famer.

Where EXACTLY is it written the team can’t struggle a couple or three seasons? Welcome back to reality 90s Braves fans.

By AndyW

June 19, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Get off his back, the kid had improved dramatically. Instead of swinging & missing at every FIRST pitch, he’s now taking it and swinging & missing the SECOND pitch, That’s progress!!

By Grady Sizemore?

June 19, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Baseball Ken, thanks for mentioning me. Too bad I’ve never hit over .290, as Francoeur has done, and I’ve never had 100 RBI, as Francoeur has done, twice. Of course I’m older than Francoeur and may have already peaked.

Josh Hamilton - also an excellent comparison. Francoeur may not be as good as the former #1 pick in the draft - that is if said #1 pick can permanently overcome the destructive lifestyle that by all accounts should have ended his career. You’re full of insight!

By Keepin it real

June 19, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

And another thing to add…If the Detroit Tigers can ship Dontrelle Willis (once an ace / all-star / golden boy) down to the single A minors why can’t the Braves do the same to Frenchy.

By Jogger

June 19, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

If this was NYC- sports would be on the front page and the main topic. Jeff is still young- give him time. He’ll come around.

And M. Vick was an embarassment to Atlanta. Not because of the dogs, etc. (even though that was bad) but because he lied to Blank and the fans.

By Mark Bradley

June 19, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Brad Komminsk had 105 RBIs in his big-league career. Francoeur had 105 in his second full big-league season. There is no comparison whatsoever.

And you know how many 100-RBI seasons the famous Grady Sizemore has had? Zero. Know what he’s hitting at the moment? .267. Know how many times he has hit above .290 in a season? Zero. (Francoeur hit .293 last season.)

By Cab

June 19, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Hey Tucker

Just to clarify, Chipper walked 73 times his rookie season so I wouldn’t have called him a free swinger…. The problem is people have the mindset that French is a young Chipper… and the fact is, he isn’t. French could be a solid role player… but that is about it… he’ll never be the star we want him to be.

By dallas ryle

June 19, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

benchy le frenchy!

By Cab

June 19, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Hey Tucker

Just to clarify, Chipper walked 73 times his rookie season so I wouldn’t have called him a free swinger…. The problem is people have the mindset that French is a young Chipper… and the fact is, he isn’t. French could be a solid role player… but that is about it… he’ll never be the star we want him to be…

* Also, for the record, French never hit above .284 in the minors … he is what he is *

By Jeff

June 19, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Bradley, maybe this is a sign that finally, FINALLY, Atlanta sport fans have had enough with par or sub-par performances from our athletes. I encourage more of these bashing blogs. Hopefully the athletes & management will take notice and do something about it. We’ve had enough of this crap from the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, & Thrashers.

D-VON: save your crap for a terrence moore column. stop using the race card for everything. its not a black & white issue..it’s a performance issue. Vick was good for awhile but he ruined it for himself. HIS FAULT..NOT OURS!!

By Jim

June 19, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

My problem with Frenchy is that he’s striking out way too much when it matters. He’s late on every fastball that’s 95 MPH or faster. I think his bat is too heavy and it shows.

By Karel

June 19, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

I agree with everyone not wanting to give Jeff a pass. What bugs me most is that he is an every day player and never has to sit down a game, and fun to watch players like Blanco, Jones, Infante, and Anderson only play when someone is insured or send down.

By TURTSNAP

June 19, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

SAM your 10:23 post is idiotic!!!! Frenchy is single handedly costing us 1st or 2nd place? Don’t post if you are going to put up foolish statements such as that!!!

By runbird

June 19, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

And another thing. Jeff needs to lose atleast 20lbs. He has lost a step or ten due to the HUGE weight gain in the offseason. His bat speed through the zone is also significanly slower since the “big gain.”

By DirtyDawg

June 19, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Good point, we do seem to be giving Frenchy a hard time…but guess what, it comes with the territory. It’s the price you pay for getting paid to play (and produce at) professional baseball. Yeah, he’s the fair-haired boy, the golden boy, but those things have a way of being forgotten when you aren’t getting the job done over time - and especially if your team is floundering. I’ll bet the kid at Cincinnati will suffer the same fate before the season’s over.

Having said that, Jeff seems to have brought a lot of it on himself. He pouted about not getting a similar deal to McCann’s…added that muscle/weight so he could hit ‘the long ball’ (chicks dig it), and it only seemed to have slowed everything down…we discover that he has a congenital foot/ankle problem that also seems to make him hesitant in the field (did anyone else think that he gave up on that homerun that just cleared the RF wall night before last?)…he may work on doing things differently at the plate but his instincts/stubbornness takes over when he faces live pitching and just looks terrible. I hope he can turn it around, get hot and rub all our noses in it, but so far it doesn’t look promising.

Fact is, Jeff may be looking back and asking himself, ‘why didn’t I take that scholarship to Clemson instead?’…you’re right Jeff, they don’t boo you there - they just take away that scholarship and cut you loose altogether.

By Ole Man Bourbon

June 19, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Frenchy, like most of the Braves, needs to learn how to take pitches and put pressure on the opponent’s pitcher rather than swinging away no matter what.

By Mike in Nashville

June 19, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

I am just frustrated with Frenchy. I still think he can be a pretty good player, but his almost total lack of production with men in scoring position, especially those bases-loaded situations, drives the fans crazy.

I honestly don’t know what to do with him. I love the smile and the personality, but he has to somehow figure out how to produce runs.

By DD

June 19, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Less hate should be directed at Frency and more hate should be directed at overpriced injured but still playing golf everyday has beens like Smoltz and Glavine.

By glenn

June 19, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Batting average and RBIs are a terrible way to evaluate a batter. Using basically any helpful metric, Jeff Francouer is living off of the first six weeks he was in the big leagues.

How much longer can a ball player live off of six weeks? Comparing Grady Sizemore (a leadoff hitter) to Francoeur using RBIs is laughable. Grady has 17 homeruns this season and has a career OPS+ equal to Jeff Francouer’s best season.

By Daybed Wagmoe

June 19, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry Mark, but I really disagree with you. It’s just my opinion, but this article is an example of how Francouer has had the backing of the hometown paper a bit too much this year. The guy has hit TERRIBLY all year with runners on base (.237), RISP (.226), and bases loaded (.111). To go along with those 8 rbi in 96 at-bats since his walk-off home run against Arizona, he’s hitting .229 with just as many hits as strikeouts (22), and an OBP of .282.

The guy has been an empty spot in the lineup for the majority of the season. He’s had some good games this year, but the problem with those have been that they haven’t started a solid stretch. It’s incredibly frustrating to see him swing at balls out of the strike zone (whether at chin level or in the dirt) time and time again.

He’s also just not working the count at all: he has a total of 61 plate appearances with a “hitter’s count”: 1-0 (20 ABs), 2-0 (5), 3-0 (10), 2-1 (18), 3-1 (8). By contrast, he has a total of 120 plate appearances when he’s had a count of either 0-1 (36), 0-2 (33), 1-2 (51).

Let’s also not forget that all of these bad stats are coming in a year in which he entered spring training having added 17 pounds of muscle. Remember all that hype in the offseason about how this would be a breakout year for Frenchy, one in which he would finally put all of it — the power and the average — together?

I can understand wanting to defend him because he’s the hometown hero, but there comes a point when it’s time to stop babying the guy simply because he’s from the Atlanta area and to start expecting him to help this team win ballgames and holding him accountable when he doesn’t.

By Herschel Talker

June 19, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

“He’s struggling now, but the belief here, as it would be with any big-leaguer, is that he’ll eventually rise to his established level.”

Who is to say that he is not already at his established level? After 3 years, you sort of are who you are. I mean, can you think of a big leaguer (taking steroids out of the equation) who suddenly “flicked on a switch” several years into his career? I’m sure it has happened, but in that case it is a fluke.

By chc4

June 19, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Ole Man Bourbon — not all Braves need to learn to take pitches. We are 3rd in the majors in drawing walks.

By CantonBravesFan

June 19, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

We all know it is SI’s fault for calling Jeff “The Natural”. yeah, that’s it……it is not Jeff’s fault. He is jinxed. yeah…

By Supes

June 19, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Rob Mark Bradley wants to ingnore the fact that he’s regressed numbers wise every season, esp. power numbers. he’s only 24 haven’t you heard already?:look:

I agree with person who mentioned the Braves marketing around Francouer. Maybe he can’t handle the pressure of being a “poster boy”?

Brian McCann is going to be a 3 time all star. He should be “the young face of the franchise”, not Jeff. Well, at least we get B-Mac bobblehead doll night soon!

BTW…I never thought I’d read the name Babe Ruth in the same discussion as Jeff Francouer..that person instantly lost all credibility.

Also the words “all star”. I’d settle for just average right now from Jeff. In the immortal words of coach Mora “…Playoffs..playoffs..playoffs!” Well, I’ll just borrow them and change them a bit: “All star, All star, All STAR!” Don’t talk about All STAR!”

By roja

June 19, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

I’m amazed how there are so many arm chair batting coaches and managers in this city. As the saying goes, them that can do, them that can’t hate on them that can, them that never could are just bitter as hell at any young, successful athlete. And believe me, Frenchy is successful by every measure that “society” places on “success”. Only 1 or 2 in a million EVER get the oportunity to play at the professional level. That in and of itself places them in a position that so many wannabe jocks out there absolutely loathe them and send in vents and emails castigating them.To them I say get a life of your own and stop trying to live it vicariously through Professional Athletes and your offspring!

By Rush

June 19, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Wow, lots of strong opinions.

French is underachieving. He is young, and maybe the expectations (which were quite high) are to much for him. His play is not bad for a 24 year old making a relatively low amount of money. He has shown flashes of talent that dazzle. He has teased us with the arm, the bat, and the image of a good local kid that wants to play ball.

Why the hate? Well, I certainly dont hate him. I am in Minnesota, and have to watch Mike Cudduyer play worse for alot more money. But I am very disappointed. First in the image he put forward when he turned down the contract that the Braves offered. It is a business, but I think some of us bought into the local star who wants to play for the Braves hype, and we were disappointed that he would rather play for the highest bidder.

The other side of it is, he is a local kid we wanted to see turn into a super star. Or at least I did. I would have been sad if he had left for more money, but I would still have been able to say I know where he came from. Wow. But instead he is struggling. He seems to be getting worse. He added a bunch of muscle and looks slower/stiffer/bulkier. He is not swift/graceful/powerful/agile. It really starts to feel like he does not get it.

Why do we hate him? Well, I think he is also getting some of the backlash from the frustration that Bobby Cox wont send him to the minors, or sit him for a few days, or move him to 8th in the order. Those things are not Jeff’s fault, but the frustration is still directed partially at him.

I also start to question Terry Pendelton as a hitting coach. I dont think many people will say that Andruw Jones or Frenchy are not naturally talented baseball players. I really dont know if TP is the guy to teach people how to take pitches or identify the strike zone.

I dont think all the fault can be laid on Jeff’s shoulders, but I also think he is being treated much differently than the other young outfielders on this time, several of whom are playing at or near the same level. And I mean that both ways. We as fans have cut Anderson/Jones/Blanco more slack than Frenchy, but management has also not hesitated to move them down in the order, send them to the minors, or sit them on the bench when they are slumping.

By blake

June 19, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

I just hope French doesn’t read the blogs and vents. When the things people say get in your head it is very hard to shake. He doesn’t need another mental crutch.

By Fred

June 19, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I think all the criticism of Jeff Francoeur is unwarrented and unfair. Just wait. all you critics will have to eat your words one day. I think he’s a great young athelete and I still believe.

By TURTSNAP

June 19, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

glenn, living off the first six weeks? Let us see here, in 2005, Frenchy batted .300 with 14 HR and 45 RBI, 2006 .260 29 HR 103 RBI, 2007 .293 19 HR 105 RBI…. Yep, thats living off of those first six weeks. Another idiot post

By Duane

June 19, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

If French were a strong Black Man with some skills we wouldn’t be having this problem. Believe That.

By DirtyDawg

June 19, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

You’re right turtsnap (whatever that is…started to spell it with a ‘d’), Frenchy’s not doing this single-handedly. Tex is doing his part by being the same guy he’s always been (doesn’t produce until after the trading deadline…I mean did you see all the players we gave up to get him for basically two months - last August/September - bad, bad, bad). Bobby’s stubbornness at not batting Blanco leadoff has cost us the advantage of the ‘right kind of approach for that position’. John Smoltz’s audacity of getting old and hurt. Tom Glavin’s going on the DL - for one of the few times in his career. Kotsay’s repaired back coming off the hinges. McCann, as good as we think he is, being perhaps the worst ‘defensive’ starting catcher in the ‘bigs’ - he can’t block anything and can’t throw anybody out (maybe we need to put him in right field - he’s probably about as fast as Francoeur is these days). A backup catcher that can’t even his half the Mendoza Line. Relief pitchers ‘dropping like flies’.

So it’s not single-handed at all, and despite all this we’re looking forward to being in this race right though September - and beyond.

Ain’t baseball grand?

By Mark Bradley

June 19, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

ESPN had a stat Sunday night: The player with the most two-out RBI over the last two-plus seasons is Jeff Francoeur. It’s not as if he has never gotten an important hit.

By Braves Fan

June 19, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

I want to know what Frenchy has done to be recongnized as a local HERO. He is a baseball player. And he shouldn’t be given a pass. Bat him lower or bench him for a couple of games.

By CAL

June 19, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

I know he is still young, he has a cute smile and he is a nice guy, but he has really failed the team in crucial times several times this year. He needs to sit a few games here and there and he needs to bat eighth.

By cubbie

June 19, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

All the problems of the Braves players like Frenchy and Tex lie at the foot of Bobby Cox … he always pats them on the butt and cheers for them but never ever does anything to upset their little egos. He and Pendleton both need to look in the mirror to see who has the problems … it’s them! Do your darn job as manager and coach or quit! Common sense tells you these guys aren’t worth their pay if they refuse to do their job!

By Paymon

June 19, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

Why are people bashing Francoeur? Because people like you fed us garbage about how the Golden Boy will be the next Dale Murphy. 3 years later, he’s nothing more than a Golden Shower. Jeff Francoeur is not as good as he was made out to be. Defensively is a stud, at the plate, he should not be batting higher than 7th. How many time in the last 2 weeks has he come with the bases juiced and he either rolled into a DP or struck out? He is a miserable hitter.

By Kashi

June 19, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

I live just few miles from Parkview HS and I have known Frenchy even though I haven’t talked to him. This is our problem here. When someone is not so hot and placing him in 5th and 6th spot in batting order, thing start to get bad to worst. We just need to place him in 7th or 8th spot and let him have fun rather then put pressure with runner on scoring position. Once he gets better, move him to his deserved batting order. I feel like Bobby and mangers don’t communicate with players in our team. Had we benched or moved Andrew Jones for 5th (prior to Tex) and 7th or 8th last year. We could have easily own those 7 games to win Division Champs. We mange game to WIN, We play game to WIN but Braves are just playing games to have fun and hoping we will score tons of runs to win a game.
Problem with Tex and Frenchy is their contract. Frenchy turn down Braves offer last winter to prove he worth more then Macan. Tex is focusing his free market. These thing really do distract players to play a good game. They always think of long balls and dramatic plays to be known/seen in media.

By Chris

June 19, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley

Don’t even compare Sizemore and French… lol

Sizemore’s .290 season was head over heels better than french’s .293 season.

And this seasons Sizemore is hitting .267… with a .380OBP… with 17HR… with 16SB

So… its about the overall game

By Supes

June 19, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Daybed Wagmoe Thanks for posting all the numbers in your 10:50.

I guess Mark Bradley failed to do his research as usual. He tried to spin it in such a way to support his article but we know it holds no weight when you look at the numbers of 2008 Jeff Francouer in detail.

Just think if he was hitting .290 or os with RISP instead of the abismal .237 How many more games would the braves have had a chance of winning? Every game counts, just ask the 1993 San Fran Giants Mark Bradley…meaning games in April, May, June…they count just the same in the stats.

The person who made the argument said it brilliantly. What good is a great August/September if your team is already out of it and you’re playing catch up? Tex had an awesome last 2 months…averaged an RBI per game…and yes the Braves still lost the NL East and the WC.

By mike

June 19, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

The night Kelly Johnson dropped the final out,”frenchy”went to bat two times with the bases loaded,he looked like a lost “baby BRAVE”. I do not hate him,but he needs to go to Richmond until he becomes a “grown up BRAVE”.

By Bill

June 19, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Someone needs to come down hard on these players. They need a hard nosed manager. They are pampered to much. Something is wrong with Frenchie. Don’t know if he is hurt or being a local guy, he’s putting alot of pressure on himself. It may be time to find a new home for him and Tex.

By GB

June 19, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

It’s just a slump. Any player who drives in 100 runs a year will do just fine. By the way-Smoltz starts his minor league rehab assignment in early July. Should be back in the rotation by August - as a lefthander.

By kj

June 19, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Again the loyalty of the Braves fans are in the gutter. Some of the best players in baseball have rough spots and usually they get through it. Jeff is a great guy for the Atlanta community and he will pull through this slump.

By Dave

June 19, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I think Sam’s post is quite accurate. Painful, but quite true. The stats are clear. You don’t even need to know them if you have been watching.

By Nick

June 19, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Not only is he killing the middle of the Braves line up, he’s killing my Fantasy team.

In all seriousness he just looks like he has no idea what he needs to do at the plate. No game plan, no execution.

By Drew

June 19, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Great debate but Mark Bradley is dead wrong. Frenchy looks pathetic at the plate and he does get a free pass for being a hometown kid. Look at McCann who doesn’t give a S**t and plays his balls off every single day. McCann plays defense on every single pitch. He manages a pitching staff. Frenchy undoubtedly has more time to work on his swing it seems that McCann does yet Brian out-hits Frenchy year after year. As Colin Cowherd once said, if you want to see change, quit supporting them. If you keep throwing money their way, what incentive do they have to get better?

Very eloquently put Mr. Supes.

By FREEDOG

June 19, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Anybody who’s 2 for 17 with the bases loaded deserves great criticism. He can’t even a sac fly. Come on. That’s fundamental baseball.

By Mike A

June 19, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Jeff has had more ABs with 2 outs and runners in scoring position than anyone in the league the past three seasons. Not to say Francoeur hasn’t had big hits, but he’s also had a lot more chances than the average hitter. RBIs are a function of opportunity.

By Don

June 19, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Francouer reminds me of an immature teenager: too eager, too impatient, and too reckless. I’m betting his female companions are equally frustrated with his “impatience”. Grow up, Jeff.

By BigdaddyJ

June 19, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Poor year so far but shame on Cox fotr leaving him in the 6 spot which he now has 18 times with bases laoded and driven in 7 runs. His power is down also. Not exactly worth the hge money he wanted.

By Singindablues

June 19, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Jeff has apparently contracted the dreaded “andrew jones” disease. Without his acceptance of a major intervention he is dooming himself to mediocrity. The symtoms are obvious to all: over-swinging in crucial run scoring situations, insistence on trying to pull pitches 6 inches off the outside corner, becoming a predictable hitter - pitchers must breath a sigh of relief when they see him step to the plate with men on.

People here get on him because by all appearances he seems too stubborn to change his approach at the plate despite his lack of production ala aj.

By MJM

June 19, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Jeff is looking more like Andruw ever day, not coachable.

By TURTSNAP

June 19, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Hey Paymon, thanks for the reference to Dale Murphy… I looked it up, and in Dale Murphy’s fourth full season in the majors, he batted .247 with 13 HR and 50 RBI. Maybe the Braves should’ve traded him, huh?

Oh whats that? He had a slump, go figure!

By DAP01

June 19, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Frenchy will be ok, BUT he should not be above being benched, he should not be above going to the minors, he should not be above having instruction. Why don’t Cox sit him when he obviously is not playing well. Diaz can have 4 hits one night and he gets benched the next night. Francour can have 4 strikeouts and still play in the next 100 games.

Coach him Cox!

By glenn

June 19, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

TURTSNAP this was exactly the response I expected to get.

2005 OPS+: 126 (basically all done on his first six weeks) 2006 OPS+: 87 2007 OPS+: 103 2008 OPS+: 89

Since that first six weeks, he’s been a BELOW AVERAGE hitter.

He does some good things, as evidenced by his homerun numbers. But his RBI totals are more of a function of hitting behind Chipper than some sort of hitting talent.

Jeff Francoeur’s most important stat: number of outs made.

Outs made: 2006: 507(!) 2007: 477

That is Juan Pierre territory.

Just for the sake of comparison, Andruw Jones’s out totals the past two years: 2006: 440 2007: 472

I will reiterate: Jeff Francoeur is living off of the first six weeks he was in the big leagues.

By Brent

June 19, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

I have no venom for Francoeur, in fact I really want him to succeed and I think the majority of fans feel the same way. I am just disappointed that he really hasn’t improved at all since he first arrived in Atlanta, and is currently putting up the worst statistics of any full time RF in the National League. It’s difficult to watch someone with his talent and general likeability not getting it done due to the lack of plate discipline.

By BravoFan

June 19, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

It’s unfortunate that Frenchy got so much hype when he first came up. Everyone expected him to be the next Ted Williams and it hasn’t worked out. He likely will never be a world class player and people are disappointed. He really does need a batting coach to teach him how to approach hitting in different situations, not constantly swinging for the fence. He will likely be a steady major league ballplayer but I doubt he will ever be the star everyone expected him to be. It might be wise to bat him further toward the end of the lineup until he produces more. His penchant for hitting into double plays and striking out with runners in scoring positiion is not helping this team. Perhaps if he was not close to the middle of the lineup he would not come up so often in crucial situations where he is not producing. I like the kid and want to see him do well, but someone has to change his mindset of swinging for the fence on every pitch. He certainly has the desire, but like someone once said, “pep without purpose is piffle.” He appears to have the talent, but he does seem to need direction to change his mindset at the plate. That will only happen if, and when, he decides to do it.

By Rob

June 19, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

LOL. Comparing Sizemore to Frenchy is akin to comparing Chipper Jones to Morgan Ensberg.

Mark Bradley- RBIs are a product of the players in FRONT of you. Sizemore may not have had 100 RBIs in any given season because the guys in front of him were abysmal at getting on base. Using RBIs to evaluate a hitter is akin to using Wins/Losses to evaluate a pitcher- if a pitcher has a 2.00 ERA and is dominating opponents but has zero run support and has an 0-8 record, does that mean he stinks? Nope. Vice versa, when you have a pitcher with a 5.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP with an 8-0 record (and with 9 runs of support on average per game pitched) does that make him an ace? Heck no.

Sizemore (along with almost every other starting regular OF in the game today) outpaces Frenchy in every important offensive category used to measure an INDIVIDUAL hitter’s production - i.e., on-base %, slugging %, pitches seen per AB (to wear down opposing pitchers), line drive %, etc al. Batting average is fine and dandy, but I’d rather have the guy batting .270 with a .400 on-base % than the guy batting .300 with a .310 on base % - the latter produces more outs for his team, and, as a consequencce, kills more rallies.

Please, please, please for the love of God see the light and use objective statistical evaluation when assessing Jeff. take off the blinders - Jeff stinks.

By ROLL TIDE

June 19, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

As Paul “Bear” Bryant would tell the newlywed Jeff, as he told one of his just-married football players whose on-field performance and discipline had suddenly declined:

“All your good baseball is going out the end of your [ male member ] !”

Chipper just got rid of his old lady, and look how well he is doing at the plate!

Maybe a few more cold showers on nights before games, Frenchy?

Just some food for thought, Jeff!

By Peter

June 19, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Hey Mark, Frenchy this year reminds me of Adam LaRoche……..

As slow starter, he will get HOT at the end of the season, his numbers will be padded, all after we are already OUT OF CONTENTION.

Then you will say what a great hitter he is…….

Today with the actual pressure on, he is NOT producing, and looking terrible at the plate.

What do you say about that?

By Who you tryin to fool

June 19, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Is it me or did mark bradley just try to compare Grady Sizemore (a leadoff hitter) to Frenchy (#5 hitter, run producer). Who are you trying to fool? There’s no comparison, and I’m sure Frency want be holding that top hitter in the league with 2 men out and runners in scoring position for long.

No matter what you say the kid hasn’t produced in some time now and we are done with losing ball games because of players lack of play. If its not Frenchy striking out or grounding out its Kelly Johnson dropping ball but there’s a difference between the two. Kelly has appeared to learned his lesson where as Frenchy….you’ve already seen THIS YEARS numbers.

By Brett

June 19, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Unbelievable how some people think! I am tired of reading and listening to Jeff take the heat just because his numbers are down (in the 1st half of the season?) and the Braves are struggling right now.

Yes he could be a lot more patient and have better at bats with runners on but he still has 40 RBI’s, 4th on the team. A 5 and 6 hole hitter should be a power hitter with big RBI potential. I’d say that he is well with in reach of 100 before the year is over. Better patience will come.

Now to the most important point, HE IS/HAS BEEN HEALTHY AND SHOWS UP EVERYDAY PLAYING HIS TAIL OFF. With out one of the best arms in the game in right field we wouldn’t have even had a chance to lose as many 1 run games as we have.

Finally, enough about all this contract talk and him “holding out for more money.” We should be having a blog about a player that gets paid $15 million this year to show up and eat seeds on the bench with his buddies.

By geauxbraves2000

June 19, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

JF could be a good bat to have if he’d just learn some patience and the strike zone.

BC doesn’t want to take away his aggressiveness. His aggressiveness, IMO, is why he is faltering.

I don’t know if a stint in Richmond would do more harm than good, though. He needs to make adjustments when he is in a slump, but he just doesn’t appear to be.

Geaux Braves!!

By steve

June 19, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

I like Frenchy and want to see him do well. He has a long career ahead of him and I believe he will someday be an All-Star. However, hed does have to learn to lay off the low and away pitches. Right now, when he has two strikes on him, you can almost guarantee they are going to throw him one a foot off the plate and low and that Jeff will hack at it and miss.

I still think he is one of the best RFs in the game defensively. But he does need to improve at the plate.

By Mark Bradley

June 19, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

McCann outhit Francoeur in 2006 and is outhitting him now. Francoeur outhit McCann in 2005 and 2007. Feel free to check.

And “his RBI totals are more a function of hitting behind Chipper than of some sort of hitting talent”? I don’t even know where to begin with that one. Did those 105 RBIs come on 105 bases-loaded walks?

By Spence

June 19, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Here’s my beef, and it’s not really with Frenchy, it’s with the Braves. Frenchy, as discussed ad nauseum above, leaves tons of guys on base (singlehandedly left 10 on the other night!), and he’s slowed in the outfield. But because he’s local and there are teenage girls in the stands wearing 7 jerseys, he gets to play no matter what.

He’d be platooning on any other team, and I wish the organazition wouldn’t give him such a free pass when he’s struggling. That’s why people are upset, because we feel like as fans we’re getting the raw end of the deal.

By Brent

June 19, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley wrote:

And you know how many 100-RBI seasons the famous Grady Sizemore has had? Zero. Know what he’s hitting at the moment? .267. Know how many times he has hit above .290 in a season? Zero. (Francoeur hit .293 last season.)

(1) Sizemore has been Cleveland’s leadoff hitter basically since he arrived in the majors. Of course he’s not going to have as many RBI opportunities as Francoeur, who has hit in the middle part of the lineup since he arrived.

(2) Last season Sizemore hit 277/390/462. Francoeur hit 293/338/444. Currently Sizemore is hitting 267/380/526. Francoeur is hitting 252/300/414. There is no doubt whatsoever that Sizemore is a better player than Francoeur.

By Rob

June 19, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Lets discuss facts:

1) Frenchy’s bat speed is NOTICEABLY slower than it has been in years past. He can no longer catch up to fastballs up in the zone, and is missing mistake pitches he once hit for HRs (and rolling over several pitches - how many times have you seen him ground out to SS?)

2) For all of his acclaim defensively, Frenchy has regressed in that department as well. He has let several balls he once dove for drop in front of him this year. His arm is still fabulous, but that’s his only saving grace at this point. His range has noticeably regressed.

3) Frenchy is one of the worst hitters in the majors, period. He can’t recognize pitches, has no clue at the plate each AB (unlike McCann or Chipper who have a plan of attack for every game situation and work the opposing pitcher waiting for their ONE pitch they are looking for), has no balance when swinging, has an uppercut swing and cannot inside out the ball to save his life, and routinely swings for the fences instead of going with the pitch like Chipper does so often. Jeff is a SELFISH hitter. He does not think about game situations, and wants to be the hero at every AB instead of trying to get on base somehow (via walk, single, etc.)

4) I’m not arguing Frenchy needs to take more walks. What he needs to do is have a better approach at the plate (singling out ONE pitch in ONE or two locations to drive) - if he does not get that pitch in that location, then DON’T FREAKING SWING. Walks are a natural byproduct of a hitter being selectively aggressive at the plate.

5) Perhaps most troubling is the fact that Frenchy’s power numbers (XBH included) have seriously declined. Wrist injury? or just p** poor mechanics and plate approach? I think its the latter.

Frenchy is among the league leaders in outs produced. He has a HORRIBLE on base %. His power has SERIOUSLY declined. His range is nowhere near what it was in 2006. He is no longer 21 years old - he is rapidly approaching his peak years and thus far, his peak absolutely sucks.

By DecaturDog

June 19, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Welll…since he is a Gwinnett boy, let’s let him play with the GWINNETT BRAVES next year?

If most of us bloggers performed our jobs to the degree that “Frenchy” (dumb name, Bobby) executes his, most of us would be unemployed. Of course, when you made multiple hundreds of thousands during that time, we could probably financially survive.

Oh…and June 19th….it ain’t still EARLY in the season…especially when you are not at .500 as a team.

By AOS

June 19, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

PUT FRANCOUER ON THE DL AND SEND HIM TO A SPORTS-SHRINK FOR TWO WEEKS. IF THIS DOSN’T WORK SEND HIM PACKING.

By Hootie Bookems

June 19, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Hootie says he needs to move down in the order, maybe even get another day or two off. He has all the tools, he just needs a little mental toughness.

By Will

June 19, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

It is this simple, i am sick and freaking tired of watching that guy not be patient at the plate. He puts together p** poor at bats in crucial spots time and time and time again and he should be batting 8th no questions asked. If he doesnt come through with bases loaded and less then 2 outs one more time i am gonna lose it! Frenchy deserves every bit of crap from people cause we are all tired of it. He is starting to make me thing he is a flop.

By Bryan

June 19, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

Funny you mention francoeur with the bases loaded. How is he doing this year with the bases loaded?

I believe he is 2 for 18 including the abysmal strikeout last night on three straight pitches. He should have many more RBIs than he currently has. He might have more 2-out rbis than anyone else but how many chances has he had? Every other player on the braves has had 7 or less at bats this year with the bases juiced.

By Bryan

June 19, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

Funny you mention francoeur with the bases loaded. How is he doing this year with the bases loaded?

I believe he is 2 for 18 including the abysmal strikeout last night on three straight pitches. He should have many more RBIs than he currently has. He might have more 2-out rbis than anyone else but how many chances has he had? Every other player on the braves has had 7 or less at bats this year with the bases juiced.

By bulldogbubba

June 19, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

We need Francouer period.What he needs is to be able to sit on the bench.I am for platooning him.Bobby needs to use his 4-5 outfielders more often.Most of our bench players have proven they can contribute!!!!

By Tim

June 19, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

Why do we hate Frenchy? He is the baseball equal to Josh Smith and no one has a problem hating him. Their production is roughly the same, but sports fans in this city want him gone. Both are hometown guys. Everybody knows what the difference is between the two. That is why you want Josh gone, and Want to know why the Frenchy hate!!!

By Will

June 19, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

More i think about it this is the most laughable column/blog i have seen yet this season. Should we stand and cheer everytime he rolls up a 6-4-3 double play with bases juiced or when he pops up the first pitch or when he whiffs with bases juiced. That is par for the course when it comes to frenchy this season.

By Mac

June 19, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

What an asinine entry, not that I should be surprised from Bradley. This kid has been given every break by the media and the team, was proclaimed a superstar even though he was a below-average player, gets the kid-glove treatment even though he’s the worst regular right fielder in the majors (you can look it up) and when a relative handful of fans point out that he’s no good, it’s “poor widdle Jeffy”. BS.

By keepin it real

June 19, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

I just seen a comparison of stats between Frenchy and McCann (don’t know why because my right fielder should out hit my catcher, but thats just me) but since we are going to compare the hitting of our RF and C…who by the way does far more work defensively then the RF does on any given game…

I would have to ask the question that will end this trying to compare Frenchy and McCann. Who would you rather have up at the plate in a game winning situation? I myself, want McCann over Frenchy any day of the week.

Frenchy is a liability at the plate THIS YEAR. You can’t keep bringing up what he did two years ago. What is he doing for us NOW. If he gets hot and starts hitting again, hussling at balls in the outfield like he did in the bottom of the 9th last night the venom will slowly but surely go away, but if he continues on his current path it will stay there until the Braves do something about it.

By Mitch

June 19, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Keep swinging at the first pitch, Frenchy. You have a career .350 avg on the first one you see.

By Vann

June 19, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

I think it’s because it’s so obvious that he’s a media darling. The AJC, for example, can’t get enought of him. Did you see all the coverage he and his new wife got — in the OFFSEASON. When you put yourself out there like that, you had better produce. I don’t hate him, and I’m sure he’s a nice kid. He’s just not very good right now.

By Kentavo

June 19, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

If Cox would move him to 8th in the batting order and give him a few days off, but as we know, Cox left a sub .200 hitter in the cleanup spot for half the year last year, so don’t hold your breath.

By glenn

June 19, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

Well Mark, you can begin by arguing a point to the contrary. If you can’t see that RBI totals are a horribly flawed metric to measure a player’s performance, I don’t know what to say to you.

Somebody above me quoted that Jeff has had the most 2 out RBI at-bats in the past three years. While we’re at it, Mark I’m assuming that since Jeff can’t hit in non-RBI situations, you’re advocating that he (somehow) changes the way he hits when runners are on base to become more effective?

If this is the case, why in the world doesn’t he just completely change his approach at the plate every time? Could it be a function of luck or the fact that his teammates are constantly on base ahead of him?

Would Jeff have gotten 105 RBIs if he were on the Royals? He probably would’ve gotten 140 if we played for the Yankees. These differences don’t mean he was any more or less effective.

There are so many other things you could reference to look at a hitter’s effectiveness, by looking at RBIs you are telling me one of two things:

1) you are being disingenuous by cherry picking a stat with almost no analytical value OR 2) you don’t know much about baseball value.

By Pete

June 19, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

Look, when someone makes Millions playing a kids game, and REPEATEDLY comes up empty when the “money is on the table”……TERRIBLE in the clutch, the fans have EVERY right to run him out of town. Guys like Francouer are mentally like children……..clueless under pressure. They lives their entire lives without ever getting past the 8th grade………mentally.

By Shamus Thacker

June 19, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Stenchy turned down a long term deal that would be like winning the lottery to many of us. He gambled on having a good season because of one thing; GREED GREED GREED GREED GREED!!!!!!

That answer your question, you dumbell!?

By Pete

June 19, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Look, when someone makes Millions playing a kids game, and REPEATEDLY comes up empty when the “money is on the table”……TERRIBLE in the clutch, the fans have EVERY right to run him out of town. Guys like Francouer are mentally like children……..clueless under pressure. They live their entire lives without ever getting past the 8th grade………mentally.

By Pete

June 19, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Look, when someone makes Millions playing a kids game, and REPEATEDLY comes up empty when the “money is on the table”……TERRIBLE in the clutch, the fans have EVERY right to run him out of town. Guys like Francouer are mentally like children……..clueless under pressure. They live their entire lives without ever getting past the 8th grade………mentally.

By newsman

June 19, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Not to seem like a jerk but Francouer’s not producing. He’s paid to produce! The only group paid highly and not held accountable for their work results are our members of Congress/Senate. Highly paid, great benefits, able to vote themselves annual raises, great perks, free haircuts, excellent health coverage…you name it/they get it. Only thing they don’t do is their job!

By Thomas

June 19, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Three letters: LOB. He has 18 AB’s with the bases loaded and only seven RBI in those at bats. That professional grade rally killing.

By newsman

June 19, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Not to seem like a jerk but Francouer’s not producing. He’s paid to produce! The only group paid highly and not held accountable for their work results are our members of Congress/Senate. Highly paid, great benefits, able to vote themselves annual raises, great perks, free haircuts, excellent health coverage…you name it/they get it. Only thing they don’t do is their job!

By Unmarried Mike

June 19, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

How’s that married life helping your batting average, Jeff?

Women drive husbands to early graves.

Women drive down the batting averages and OBP of their husbands.

By Deep Throat

June 19, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

The “venom” comes from the fact the Braves have an everyday corner outfielder with a .300 OBP and seemingly-declining homerun power. Someone they’ll never bench no matter how awful he just continues to be at getting on base.

By Tami

June 19, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

I have no animosity to our homeboy. All that I wish for Francoeur is that he learns PATIENCE and DISCIPLINE at the plate — and SOON! He’s either flailing at the plate, missing on a pitch OUTSIDE and away in the strike zone or swinging & missing at a pitch right at his eyeballs — especially with runners in scoring position. He’s clearly struggling and rather desperate at the plate, and the opposing pitchers KNOW THIS and use it for their advantage. “No big deal if the Braves have loaded up the bases with one or two outs in the inning. Francoeur’s at the plate, so we’re going to close down this rally before it gets out of hand”, is pretty much the opposing team’s mindset these days. Having done this too, too many times is reason enough for the fans to grow restless. I think if it was just a slow start, the fans would have accepted that by now. But, it’s become characteristic with him. He was doing this last season. He’s more spotty than spot-on. Perhaps a short stint back to AAA would not hurt him, and allow one of the kids performing exceptionally well this season to have a chance at the big-league level while Jeff gets himself right again. I’m sure Terry’s had the same discussions with Jeff time & time again that he had with Andruw. Andruw was too stubborn to listen, and now look where he is…NOT, as well as being overpriced in the market. Jeff should take a lesson and not let this happen to himself.

By Kentavo

June 19, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Here’s a question to the bloggers:

Who would you rather see at the plate with runners in scoring position in a crucial spot of a game: Omar Infante or Frenchy?

The answer lies within last night’s win.

By Kentavo

June 19, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Here’s a question to the bloggers:

Who would you rather see at the plate with runners in scoring position in a crucial spot of a game: Omar Infante or Frenchy?

The answer lies within last night’s win.

By David

June 19, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why sliding Frenchy down in the batting order OR benching him for a game or two OR having him get some instruction in the minors is considered a bad thing by this blog?! Why is that hateful?! It is a reasonable thing to do. Fact is, it would have been done already were Frenchy not tagged the “golden boy” by Bradley and other cheerleaders way too early in the kids career.

By Shamus Thacker

June 19, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

What was good enough for Mac [a much, much, much, better player] wasn’t good enough for Stenchy! That’s what pizzes me off most. He had to hold out for more. Well, he’s screwed himself, DEEPLY.

BTW Bradley, are you kin to the Cox Family who owns this paper? If not, how the Hell did you ever get a job as a writer? Very poor excuse for journalism…

By glenn

June 19, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Kentavo

Here’s a statement for you:

The fact that you had to even ask that question is very telling.

By Tami

June 19, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Good point, Kentavo. Based on last night, the answer would be: Infante.

By DownwithFrenchy

June 19, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry but on a team that is just border-line good enough to possibly maybe sneak into the postseason, there is no room for a player that is 2-17 with the bases loaded. He has all of his options at this point since he has never been sent down, so basically he needs to go down for a week or two and find the strikezone. I don’t want to trade him or get rid of him because he could be great some day, but the two months every year where he hacks at everypitch toe-to-eye level and within the batters boxes is getting ridiculous. Maybe he should just bunt everytime.

By NS from Kennesaw

June 19, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley, to use a stats you really need to understand it. It is true that Frenchy has the most run producing RBI with 2 outs in the major. This is an accumulated numbers. But can you make a distribution of that number by the year he’s a major leaguer. I bet you will see that it is declining sharply.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Frenchy. But I see that he has problems adjusting to being a major leaguer and a local hero. The media, AJC in particular, make him thinks he is bigger than life. This is clear from the get go, when he started the spring break aiming for more power… remember Chipper’s comment “Loose an Andruw, gain an Andruw” ????

Everyone who watches the game sees that his defense is declining to just average and his offense has been terrible. I don’t know how he is dealing with hit but so far whatever stuff he is working to improve … we have not seen it !!!! And, it is getting to half way point in less than a month … he needs to get better in a hurry.

His rejection to the Braves contract also a good indicator of what he’s thinking. OK - he thinks he is worth more than that . . so prove it with consistency. Also, AJC, need to stop writing about he is still young. If he is clever enough to think that he is worth so much money, the free pass for being young, innocent and local hero is NO LONGER applicable… The only thing that count from now on is CONSISTENTLY HIGH PERFORMANCE

By Bob

June 19, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Thank you so much for writing this story Mark! I am so tired of people saying all of this stuff about Frenchy. Yes he is strugling, he does strike out pretty often, but he will get it together! Eventually we’re going to see the 100 RBI a season guy and the gold glove right fielder. Just give him some time. I mean he’s not killing us, he’s still hitting .250 or so. In about a month, when him and Terry work on his swing, everybody who is a Braves fan will be praising him for his excellent play!

By D.Ellis

June 19, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t help your cause when you get put on the cover of Sports illustrated and are annointed the Natural. When he first came up like most rookie hitters you are fed more fastballs. That is untill the pitchers and acouts figure out you weakness. In his first full year go back and watch the tape. He was drilling fastball after fastball. Scouts figured out his weakness and have passed that down. His aggressive nature at the plate is his downfall. His lack of opposite field swinging and hitting has hendered his progress at the plate. Is it becasue he is unwilling to attack that side of the field? is it because he is young and jsut deosn’t get it. But the fact remains he is not seeing the fastballs he was seeing at the end of his rookie year untill the All star break the following year. It’s up to bobby Cox to move him out of an RBI producing spot in the lineup. Untill he finally gets it move him down to 7th or 8th.

He is what he is. In years he will aquire the Chipper approach. Chipper was the NUMBER 1 OVER ALL PICK. You can’t compare Chipper’s approach to the plate with Jeff’s. Chipper’s approach is seasoned and he was a much better overall player then Jeff was when he started in the league.

By catamount

June 19, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

He is over rated and would not even start on a lot of teams. He chokes in the clutch and I am tired of him getting a pass. Maybe he needs to grab some bench for awhile or go back down to AAA. The honeymoon is over, now we expect results.

By Reid in EAV

June 19, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Mark, regarding your 11:01 am comment — you nailed it. Francoeur was “Mr. Clutch” prior to this season, which only escalates the frustration when he’s anything but. Let’s face it, a .111 average with bases loaded would only be “clutch” if the overall average were in the Corky Miller range, about .060 or thereabouts.

Again, check the man’s ankle. I’m pretty sure he’s not 100% physically. (Maybe I’m in denial about a non-physically-related slump, but that’s my theory and I’m stickin’ to it.)

By dorothy davis

June 19, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

My only hope is Bobby does not do as he did with Andrew and leave Frenchy too high in the batting order all year when he is not producing! He definately needs to bat 8th and also needs a day off now and then to get his head on straight. We have plenty fielders to take his place, especially when Kotsay comes back. His poor plate performance is hurting his fielding also it seems. As far as not getting the big contract, he has not earned one as yet.He is lucky to be in the bigs right now and I am sure the head office will tire of his performance soon.

By ATLFan

June 19, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

What ever happened to cheering on the home team?

By stan

June 19, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

It is only the truth. Frenchy is a likable guy because of ties to atlanta but will be a lifetime .260 hitter when all is said and done.

By DirtyDawg

June 19, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I got it. It’s so simple I don’t know why TP hasn’t thought of it. Starting with batting practice, fine Francoeur a thousand dollars for every ball hit to the left of second base and add a thousand for every one hit to the right. THEN, send him to Richmond or Rome and do the same thing in games - only make it $5K or $10K each. When he gets to plus $100K he gets to come back. THEN, keep it up when he’s back here and tie it to his contract negotiations - for every hit he gets to right the Braves add $50K, for every one to the left you subtract the same. Point being, the kid can’t make the adjustment from trying to pull the ball until he gets two strikes to going to right. He needs to work at getting his mind off pulling the ball at all (that includes HRs by the way). Go up there looking and thinking right - from the beginning, not until he’s in the hole and panic sets in.

By Tomahawk Matt

June 19, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

How is 100+ RBIs for Francouer not producing? He’s on pace to do that again. All you haters and doubters are idiots or obviously not Braves Fans as all.

Go Charlie! Go Braves!!!

By CHIPPER 4 400

June 19, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

hey Randy Brian McCann doesn’t need any excuses like Frenchy. So I don’t understand why you’re for an excuse from Bradley for him. McCann with a good last month before the all star break will make the all star team AGAIN and his stats are rock solid this year so before making a stupid comment think a little. Frenchy will become a solid player in his career maybe a few all star appearences but he is not going to end up like we all thought we would and i figured this out his second year. at the games in his second year when everyone would just scream i would just clap for him. unless he finds a great hitting coach to help him he will not change his approach or his ugly swing. even with a coach idk if it will work because he is very stubborn like andrew. so even though we will look back and say he is having a good year over there i think we could end up with better things if we trade him because we could get great talent from teams that really want him. i hope im wrong but we have our young talent without him= brandon jones, yunel escobar, brian mccann, jair jurrjens, kelly johnson is still pretty young, and jayson heyward. So thats my thoughts and frenchy could make that list bigger if he is traded but im sure he wont be so hopefully he can improve.

By ebdawg

June 19, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

The Braves problems are deeper than Frenchy… French is young and will become what we all want him to be. Meanwhile, let’s be realistic and look at his age. He spent very little time in the minors and I’m glad he did…. even if it gets frustrating watching him sometime. Patience is what he needs at the plate.. but not at the expense of his agressive attitude. He will work it out. He’s got too much talent and should be the face of the franchise for years to come… unless you haters run him off !!! Get a grip people… any team in the Majors would take him in a nano-second !!!

By Bravesfan#1

June 19, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

He shouldn’t have gotten married, he was better when he was single, as are most guys. All that nagging can take a toll…lesson here: Do not get married!

By Bravesfan#1

June 19, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

He shouldn’t have gotten married, he was better when he was single, as are most guys. All that nagging can take a toll…lesson here: Do not get married!

By Laura

June 19, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

This is really sad. It makes me mad too. So many Braves “fans” are fair weather fans. Attacking Frenchy in this manner is something a Yankees fan would do.

He is going to make mistakes. He is not going to be perfect all the time. I think he’s actually showing signs of maturing as a player. No, he’s not as good as McCann, but he is good and he’s going to have to make some of these mistakes to learn and be even better and be one of those players who is in the game for 20 years. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be called on something that’s really screwy, but if anybody thinks Frenchy’s not being trained/coached on how to get better and not getting the what-if when he needs it, they don’t know Bobby and they really just need to keep their mouths shut.

By Bobby

June 19, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

I don’t hate him.. I say trade him now as we will lose him anyway becasue he thought he was worth more thna McCann. Which is a joke. He has an agent that will demand top dollar (think Andrew Jones) and the Braves will not resign him. Trade him while you can stil get something. Bring up Anderson and keep him up. Get a catcher who can hit.

By salty dawg

June 19, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

My beef is not with Frenchy, but with Cox. I am quite certain that Francoeur is putting in the time and working on his short-comings. The problem, as I see it, is that he should not be working out problems at such a critical spot in the lineup. Not for this length of time anyway. Look at how much better Kelly J. started hitting when he was taken out of the leadoff spot, but how long did that obviously necessary change go un-made? Too long. I understand a manager has to have some faith in his guys to work through their problems, but at some point you have to look at the well being of the team ahead of the individual. And support is putting a person in a position for success, not blindly believing in him. Drop Frenchy to 7 or 8 and take a little pressure off of him until the guy gets his game together. And for God’s sake, rest your starters once in a while. Frenchy got one night off and when he came back he did a little better. I really think the guy is mentally and physically exhausted.

By Dozer

June 19, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Bradley - you’ve got to be kidding - 3 full years in the bigs & this guy shows no improvement in plate discipline - his numbers are bad because his strike zone is the size of a refrigerator. That’s not physical - its mental & hasn’t changed because (1) Frenchy doesn’t want to, and (2) Bobby won’t do anything about it. Bobby’s partly to blame - he bats this guy 5th or 6th (even 3rd) despite the fact he’s been killing them all season. He’s a below-average hitter and shows no promise of being better.

By rlinaug

June 19, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

The Braves have been sorry situational hitters for a long time. For years, they’ve been making outs on bad pitches and swinging when they should be working the pitcher. And it’s been that way regardless of the batting coach. I blame Bobby Cox. I understand he supports the players and all that jazz, but from time to time, he needs to sit them down in a room and chew their fannies. They need to watch film and do something to correct obvious flaws and mistakes. Cox is to blame; how else does a player like Andruw Jones stay on one team for a decade and not learn anything?

By Doctom

June 19, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Frustration over players not living up to their potential is simple. No one watches a baseball game or follows a team hoping for mediocrity. We always want to see excellence. There were so many wonderful years of Braves baseball and excellence being synonymous terms. They are not synonymous any longer, and that is what is frustrating to us as fans. So we take our frustration out on players who are playing just ho-hum. Frenchy and Tex are ho-hummers right now. And get paid rather handsomely I might add for their ho-hum-drum performances.

By beau vighn

June 19, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Marc, You answered your own question in the first paragraph. This is not a popularity contest. It is about production. If you can’t produce then the Braves need to find someone who can until he gets straightened out.

Hopefully, he will turn it around and have a strong second half. Until he gets his head out of the third base dugout when he swings, I fear he will continue to strike out on pitches out of the strike zone. It’s like watching a replay of Andrew last year.

By Clayton

June 19, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

I don’t get frustrated by Frenchy being in a slump.

I get frustrated when Frenchy doesn’t hustle. The 2 run home run that beat Campillo in his start against the Angels was probably catchable. Did Frenchy even attempt to hustle. Nope!

His swing is completely inconsistent, He trys to kill the ball anytime someones on base, and it seems like he is re-gressing instead of progressing. Never even seen him dive for a ball.

For a former tight end he seems very unphysical and just flat out won’t lay it on the line.

thats my frustration, hustle and trying to learn the strikezone and not always having to hit a grandslam and it won’t be so frustrating

By tazz7557

June 19, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

I don’t think he’s in a slump, I just think he’s not very good. Pitchers show him no respect, throw pitches well away from strikezone that they know he’ll hack at.

The Braves bring guys up all the time that can hit higher than .250. Once they find one that can play rightfield, Frechy should be watching.

He only gets 100 RBI because he plays every day and has people like McCann and Chipper on base all the time. Heck, I’d probably have a few RBI and I haven’t had a hit in 10 or 15 years. With the chances he has, a good hitter would be getting closer to 130 RBI. He’s costing the Braves runs and wins.

By tazz7557

June 19, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

I don’t think he’s in a slump, I just think he’s not very good. Pitchers show him no respect, throw pitches well away from strikezone that they know he’ll hack at.

The Braves bring guys up all the time that can hit higher than .250. Once they find one that can play rightfield, Frechy should be watching.

He only gets 100 RBI because he plays every day and has people like McCann and Chipper on base all the time. Heck, I’d probably have a few RBI and I haven’t had a hit in 10 or 15 years. With the chances he has, a good hitter would be getting closer to 130 RBI. He’s costing the Braves runs and wins.

By j

June 19, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

to PMC .. softest media town in the country??? are you kidding me? wow, you must have tunnel vision, b/c that is an idiotic statement.

the media has been killing the Hawks, Thrashers & Falcons for awhile now. the only area they are “soft” in is the Braves … they don’t show any respect for the other teams, nor do they get their facts straight w/ the other teams or do alot of research. In fact, sad but true, this town’s opinions are based off the biased media group.

By Riprock

June 19, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I love it when a bunch of losers who couldn’t hit a whiffle ball tossed underhanded think they can give a major leaguer hitting advice.

By Ron

June 19, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Bradley is right. At only 24, Frenchy is very young. He has 40 RBI. That’s fourth-highest on the team, folks. Only Tex, Chipper and McCann have more. His 8 HR are also fourth, behind only the same three hitters. He is doing all right for his age and this stage in his career. Take a chill pill! This is the Major Leagues, people. He is facing big league pitchers. It takes time to learn how to hit them. Why single out Frenchy? Why don’t we blast all the other young players while we’re at it? What about Escobar, with only 6 HR and 30 RBI? How about Kelly Johnson, with only 7 HR and 29 RBI? Or Blanco, with only 1 HR and 12 RBI? He is clearly better than anyone else on the team, except the three mentioned above, and he’s only 24. By the time he’s 27 we’d all better hope he’s still a Brave, because he’s going to be a monster. You want to drop him in the batting order? Okay, who’s going to bat 6th instead of Frenchy? Kelly Johnson? Blanco? I think you get my point. Yeah, Bradley is right. Let’s give the kid a break.

By Braves never win on the road

June 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Frenchy = rally killer …trade the bumm !

By salty dawg

June 19, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

By Bobby

June 19, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

I don’t hate him.. I say trade him now as we will lose him anyway becasue he thought he was worth more thna McCann. Which is a joke. He has an agent that will demand top dollar (think Andrew Jones) and the Braves will not resign him. Trade him while you can stil get something. Bring up Anderson and keep him up. Get a catcher who can hit.

Dude, are you serious??? Are you really advocating replacing McCann? He is one of the few consistent hitters on the team. Which catcher have you been watching?

By PMC

June 19, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

For the record.

2-18 with the bases loaded on a team with a shaky bullpen that can’t win 1 run games…. IS KILLING THE TEAM.

He and Tex have been by far the most disapointing players on the team this year. Forget the injuries, we knew that was going to happen. This team struggles scoring runs… That wasn’t supposed to happen.

By varoadrunner

June 19, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Frenchy is a problem but I attribute it to management. I have been saying for years that the main problem is management with both Andruw and Frenchy. Now I must look back at Andruw and we can see that Joe Torree couldn’t change him, or was it his knee all along? I think with Andruw it is a combination of his knee and his brain - whereas, Jeff is constantly trying to pull the outside pitch and with the bases loaded and one out, pulling the outside pitch is UNACCEPTABLE! Recognize the pitch Jeff and hit it where it is pitched. Until then, he’s a waste and a liability. How many games would we have won if Jeff could hit with the bases loaded?

By mshoover

June 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

All of you “managers” out there that want to get rid of Jeff need to figure out who will replace him. You people are spoiled. This is only the third year after they won 14 titles in a row. Shut up, already! Bobby Cox was a baseball God then, remember? They’ll figure it out. Maybe not this year, but you can bet Francour is in Atlanta for the long haul.

By dont get it

June 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

I dont understand these people who think that you’re not a “real” braves fan because you “attack” a player. The way I see it you’re a real fan if you are willing to both take and give criticism. If you can sit and tell me that you think Frenchy is doing a good job right now i’d say you are out of your mind. This is not attacking Frenchy its the truth and if it hurts it hurts. Oh and by the way I’ve been a real braves fan through both the bad and good.

By Dfraz

June 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Wow, to bash Jeff is crazy! Have you seen Teixera doing any better!? Get over yourselves! All these guys do the best they can, everyone runs into slumps at times, even Chipper and Tex!

By Tomahawk Matt

June 19, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST RIDICULOUS THINGS THAT I HAVE EVER READ! Why the He11 do you even follow Braves baseball?

If you can’t support a team you like, then FIND A TEAM THAT WINS EVERY SINGLE GAME YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR and go complain about that getting boring.

Baseball is the ONLY sport where you FAIL easily more than half the time. All of you whiners need to go play some 3 year babies a game of checkers and dominate.

Go Charlie! Go Braves! GO AWAY WHINEY BRATS that post nonsense!

By tazz7557

June 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

I’m not so sure he deserves a spot in the everyday lineup. He’s probably a good backup major leaguer. He should learn to play third and second. He’d be a great player to give rest to Chipper, Johnson, and the new right fielder.

He’s not a Major League starter. Lets face it.

By mshoover

June 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

All of you “managers” out there that want to get rid of Jeff need to figure out who will replace him. You people are spoiled. This is only the third year after they won 14 titles in a row. Shut up, already! Bobby Cox was a baseball God then, remember? They’ll figure it out. Maybe not this year, but you can bet Francour is in Atlanta for the long haul.

By GT

June 19, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Bradley, it doesn’t matter if he’s from Gwinnett County, recites the pledge of allegiance every morning, or saves babies from burning orphanages. He’s paid for his performance on the field, and it has been atrocious this year. But worse than any slump is his inability to make adjustments to correct himself. He takes the same old tired approach of swinging hard in case he hits it, otherwise known as a pitcher’s best friend.

Francouer was moving mentally in the right direction last year, after a lackluster 2006 season. His approach at the plate changed, he learned some patience and pitch recognition, he shortened his stroke with two strikes. And his batting average improved as a result. He was an asset to last year’s lineup.

But all that changed over the winter. He bulked up to (presumably) hit for more power. And that is exactly his approach at the plate this year. As a result, his average and OBP have plummetted, and his outs aren’t even productive ones. And Bulkyjeff’s defense has declined, to boot.

It doesn’t matter how big he grins in the Braves media guide. Bottom line, Francouer = Loser.

By Will

June 19, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Dont get it, You cant question any player, bobby cox, or the team in general and still be a “real” fan according to many posters on this website. I actually get a good laugh most days seeing posters drinking the kool-aid everytime Braves win 2 in a row.

By SM

June 19, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

mmph mmmmpphh mmmpphh

That’s the sound of Mark Bradley writing this column with his lips stuck to Frenchy’s a$$!!

The guy is the worse possible hitter — predictable. Every pitcher in MLB knows to throw him junk early in the count and watch him swing his way into an out. The teams that wait a few years for a player to get better are the teams that never sniff the post-season. Get some pitching for this guy before everyone realizes he’ll never change his attitude about hitting.

By Jim K

June 19, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Jeff’s combination of power, arm, range, hustle and attitude are rare.

I thought he had broken some of his wild swinging habits, and would hit to RF more this year instead of setting up to pull and then lunging at low outside breaking balls. Maybe he will when he feels less pressure to carry the team.

If he can’t break his bad habits this season, the response should be perhaps dropping him a slot in the batting order, nothing more severe.

Oh, and take a few million off the long term deal to which we should surely sign this rare talent. Quickly, before he straightens out and becomes very, very expensive.

By John

June 19, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

My grandmother could have 80 RBI’s hitting where Frenchy has been hitting in the lineup…and she’s been dead for 6 years.

By JS

June 19, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Whew! After reading all the other comments, I’ve decided not to pile on. Instead, I’d like to simply say “WELCOME BACK, GONZO! You have been sorely missed and it’s great to see you and your amazing arm once again. Rock on, baby!”

By Go Dawgs Go

June 19, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

It’s funny how none of the posters above are employed by a Major League team, since they seem to know so much about hitting. As for me, I’ll stick with Bobby Cox and the rest of the professionals who have faith in Frenchy. They’ve already proven that they’re willing to jettison players who may not live up to potential (i.e. Ryan Langerhans, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, etc). Francoeur will pull out of this slump, and he’ll be a fixture in a big league lineup (hopefully Atlanta’s) for a long, long time. The problem is that Braves fans don’t know a good thing when they see it. We’re all huge Chipper Jones fans now, but never forget that before this very season, most commenters on blogs like this one wanted to send CHIPPER out of town on a rail. In baseball, you fail two-thirds of the time, and that’s only if you’re a hall of famer. This team’s struggles aren’t Jeff Francoeur’s fault.

And, for “Navigator”, you’re completely off base saying that Francoeur has a problem with McCann’s success. Nobody on the team loves Mac more than Frenchy, and while he probably wants to equal him I don’t think Jeff’s got a jealous bone in his body when it comes to teammates. Just because you’d be jealous in his shoes doesn’t mean that Jeff is.

By Go Dawgs Go

June 19, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Here’s a PS: Jeff’s probably hurt, folks. He’s playing through a bunch of nagging injuries and I don’t think he feels right. I predict he comes back strong after the All-Star break.

By Kelly

June 19, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Frenchy is a traitor!!!!

He gave up his skills, his TEAM and his love of the game just for some nightly POONTANG !

…….

Well, at least Jeff isn’t the First Man to sadly throw away his life, his passion, his dreams, his livelihood, his future and his happiness just to marry a piece of @$$ .

By Go Dawgs Go

June 19, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Here’s a PS: Jeff’s probably hurt, folks. He’s playing through a bunch of nagging injuries and I don’t think he feels right. I predict he comes back strong after the All-Star break.

By Go Dawgs Go

June 19, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Here’s a PS: Jeff’s probably hurt, folks. He’s playing through a bunch of nagging injuries and I don’t think he feels right. I predict he comes back strong after the All-Star break.

By bgvt

June 19, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Gee, Baseball Ken — the comparison to Josh Hamilton doesn’t help your argument. He just turned 27. I think he has had a number of off-field problems.

Francoeur is having a down year. Expectations are high. To me, the question is whether this year is a fluke or a trend. (Often very good players have one or two perplexingly bad years over a 10 year career). I don’t have the answer. I’m glad the Braves aren’t on the hook for a long-term contract with JF.

By Dr. R

June 19, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Hitters develop at different paces throughout their careers, and it’s all a matter of adjustment. Frenchy made some adjustments last year, and now he’s taken a step back. I think he’ll be OK as well, but I’m beginning to question whether he’ll be just a decent everyday player and streaky hitter vs. a true star. Time will tell. I do wonder, though, if the boy is bright enough to take the next step. Physical gifts aside, that may be what holds him back. Hope not, for his sake and the team’s.

By PEPr

June 19, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Bradley

Many player go through was has been called the “sophmore slump” I my view, Frenchy is just having his slump at the plate in his third year instead of his second. As far as dumping him, I say, “You don’t throw out the baby with the bath water”. There has been no defensive slump whatsoever. Hitting; it appears to me that he is getting through the strike zone too quickly. As strong as he is, I’d say he needs a heavier and longer bat. Of course his offense has been disappointing for us fans, but, with his earlier success can you imagine his frustration? I personally believe he will get through this before long.

By be fo real

June 19, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Its comments like the one made at 12:54 pm that not only cracks me up but wonder about the people who don’t criticize players when they are doing bad.

You cannot compare Frenchy to, Escobar, Kelly Johnson, and Blanco…three guys who’s all had turns batting LEAD0FF. Not only did you do that but you called out a guy in Escobar who’s hitting .300, and you said he has 6 HRs and 30 rbi…if a leadoff hitter is doing that I’d definitely take it! Blanco has nowhere near the power that Frenchy has and should actually be the leadoff hitter. He’s not expected to hit for power or drive in runs. Kelly Johnson hit out of place for half the season as well and has already caught Frenchy in HRs and RBIs. I’m not looking at KJs stats right now but i’m pretty sure his OBP is higher then Frenchy and his batting average is probably higher then Frenchy.

Frenchy is not the fourth best player on this team. He doesn’t even crack my top 5 and would probably just slide into my top 10, but on any given team say…. Philadelphia he would NOT be batting #5 right now…probably 7 at best. Some of you “fans” need to wake up.

By Chip

June 19, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Mark-

With all due respect, my Aunt Thelma can do better than 2 for 18 with the bases loaded! She’s 85 and can still go to her right and make the play “in the hole”.

Frenchy is a lot like A-Rod. He has more meaningless hits than anybody I have ever seen in a Braves uniform, and that goes all the way back to 1966 for me. He has a terrific arm, but can’t hit me in the clutch.

This guy hits into more rally killing DP’s than most, and constantly fails to deliver in the clutch. If the guy was a legit 30 HR guy, then I could see it. Yes, I’ll give in that he did bring in over 100 RBI’s in the past, but my word, THAT IS HIS JOB!!!

The simple question is-How long do the Braves continue to think that this guy sells tickets. Other than his parents, immediate family, and high school teammates and friends, how many more seats can the guy fill up.

There is no “venom” here. As Yogi once said “You can observe a lot just by watching”. In this case, I’ve seen enough. Get me a guy with a reasonable glove, speed, who can hit .300, and we have a better chance than what we have.

By Kenneth Simpson

June 19, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Jeff needs to learn the strike zone and take some pitches. He swings at everything from his heels to his head. Why can’t Cox tell him to take some pitches? Another question? Does anyone besides me think Soriano is faking? Since he signed the big contract his elbow has hurt and no one can find out what the problem. He tells Bobby if he can pitch or not. I thought that was the job of the manager. If he can’t pitch in the majors send him to the minors or release him. He is just taking up space as far as I am concerned.

By A.West

June 19, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley, How can someone so close to the game of baseball as yourself be so blind to Frenchy’s obvious multi-year weaknesses? His on-base percentage is horrendous, his batting average isn’t great, and his slugging is fading. Worse, his hits only come when a pitcher mistakenly throws him strikes - an increasingly rare phenomenon, as word has spread of his lack of strikezone judgement. And this year, he can’t even seem to hit strikes hard. He usually only gets one strike to hit per at bat, and now he’s not even making solid contact on that one.

He gets way more RBI opportunities than he deserves, because Bobby Cox stupidly keeps him way higher in the order than he deserves, just like he did with Andruw during his decline.

What makes the fans really angry, is that it appears that people like you are allowing him to live in an imaginary world where he’s a star player with endorsements, and doesn’t desperately need to fix his problem. I doubt that Terry Pendleton is capable of helping - he sure hasn’t so far. So the best thing that can happen for the Braves is that fans and the media make so much noise about how badly Frenchy is playing, that Bobby finally has to move him down to the 7 spot, or Frenchy learns to not swing at bad pitches (probably impossible given his long swing).

By Cupid

June 19, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

Think about it -

Bobby Cox puts his woman “in her place” - He wins World Series next year

Chipper Jones loses his first wife - NL MVP the next season

Chipper Jones gets rid of his latest nag - Bats .400 the next season

See a pattern here, anybody ????

By BOBCEE

June 19, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

I think the media and the owners, managers and others involved with the Braves are part of the reason that Frenchy is doing so terrible. It has been instilled in his mind that he is great, when in fact he is just an average ball player making too much money. The Sports illustrated front page thing was the start of his downfall. Then he had a good year as he was being fed big pitches. Now everyone has caught on to his weaknesses and he is get toasted. I again think thal all players should be paid by what they do on the field on a yearly basis and not because someone think they are a start. Example Andruw Jones, Tex, Zambrano, DelGado, Hampton, etc. the list goes on are being paid for not performing. How can Tex and Boras really think Tex is worth all that money. As far as Frenchy, maybe he needs to sit awhile, get someone else out there who will do the job. Is Bobby afraid to bench him for fear of Backlash. And the excuse that he is young is another cop-out. he is a great minor leaguer but an average major-leaguer. Face it he is no loner at Parkview. And yes he has slowed down and yes he did give up on the cheap homer the other night. He also looks like he has added weight especially to his upper body.

By Mike

June 19, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Jeff has to be the dumbest player I have ever seen. I like the guy and pull for him every night, but come on already. How many times does he have to swing at balls in the dirt or over his head, or in the lefty batter’s box, before we get on him. To stand up for him is insane. He gets one clutch hit a month and that’s supposed to make up for all the terrible at-bats in between?? Please…

By cjizzle

June 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Mark are you kidding me? Frenchy gets the same treatment Andruw Jones got last year when his average and strike zone were both putrid. To Frenchy’s credit he has a great disposition and remains one of my favorite Braves. However, he doesn’t get a pass for being subpar so far this season!!!

By Mark Bradley

June 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

I get it. Driving in 100 runs in consecutive seasons wasn’t a representative sample, but going 2 for 18 with the bases loaded over one-third of a season is. Can’t argue with that cutting logic.

By Bon Jovi

June 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else find Frenchy’s song choice for his batter introduction curious? Is there a message behind the song choice for the fans that people aren’t noticing? Or did he just so happen to pick a Bon Jovi song that he thinks sounds cool but perfectly describes how his relationship with the fans has deteriorated?

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame. Darlin’, you give love a bad name.

An angel’s smile is what you sell. You promise me heaven then put me through hell. Chains of love got a hold on me. When passion’s a prison you can’t break free. Oh, you’re a loaded gun… yeah. Oh, there’s nowhere to run. No one can save me; the damage is done.

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame. You give love a bad name. I play my part and you play your game. You give love a bad name. And you give love… a bad name.

You paint your smile on your lips. Blood red nails on your fingertips. A school boy’s dream; you act so shy. Your very first kiss was your first kiss goodbye. Oh, you’re a loaded gun. Oh, there’s nowhere to run. No one can save me; the damage is done.

Shot through the heart and you’re to blame. You give love a bad name. I play my part and you play your game. You give love a bad name.

In other words, the first kiss from the fans in 2005 was their first goodbye. The fans have shot me through the heart with all the criticism. The fans are to blame for breaking my heart. The fans give love a bad name. The fans promised me heaven and are now putting me through hell. The chains of love have me in shackles. The love/hate passion has imprisoned me and now I can’t escape and can’t be saved here. The damage is done.

Probably reading too much into it. He probably just thought it sounded cool. But was he even born when that song came out?

By drave15

June 19, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Give the kid a break

By MRC

June 19, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Yep, every time he comes up with men in scoring position with less than two outs I almost have to turn the channel. I would send him back down to AAA ball and see if he can’t get his game together. Or see if the Clemson offer is still available.

By BlackberryCobbler

June 19, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

&&Take a chill pill! This is the Major Leagues, people. He is facing big league pitchers. It takes time to learn how to hit them.**

You learn at the minor-league level, not the major league level. If he still needs to learm ship his @$$ back down to the minors. The majors are paid tons of money to produce. No excuses even for a homeboy.

By braves70

June 19, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

I just read at foxsports where the Diamondbacks are seriously considering sending their young star Justin Upton back to the Minor leagues sue to his recent performance (.216 in May and is 3-for-36 in June). If a young talent like Upton can be subject to such treatment then there is no reason that Francoeur should be exempted from such actions. We don’t hate Jeff. We hate that he is so stubborn as to not listen to his coaches and that he goes up swinging like a wild man. Maybe Jeff and Upton could use a little AAA time. At least Arizona is open minded enough to consider such a move and they don’t have a stubborn donkey like Bobby Cox who refuses to consider anything different from his set ways.

By SLM

June 19, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

To Keepin it real: Your stats are flawed. When bases are loaded, there are 3 men on base, not 4. So if we’re looking at 18 at bats, that’s a max of 54, not 72. Just keepin it you know what…

By Rob

June 19, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

I get it. Driving in 100 runs in consecutive seasons wasn’t a representative sample, but going 2 for 18 with the bases loaded over one-third of a season is. Can’t argue with that cutting logic

I’m not the person you’re responding to, but do YOU understand the concept that RBIs are NOT a good way to measure an individual hitter’s offensive production as they are team dependent? When you have two or three guys in front of you who consistently get on base at a 40% clip or thereabouts, and you have any measure of power, you are absolutely going to have a good # of RBIs. On the flip side, you could be a .300/.400/.500 type of hitter and have 60 or 70 RBIs a season because you bat behind players with abysmal OBPs or as a leadoff man (ala Sizemore).

Please face reality, Mark. Frenchy is on pace to create more outs than a great majority of RFs in the game today. He is a DRAIN on this team’s offense, and his defensive range has regressed this year as well. He has absolutely no clue at the plate, and has the pitch recognition of a high school softball player. His bat speed is slower than it has ever been, and he no longer hits mistake pitches anymore (ala Andruw 2007 and 2008). He is still relatively young, yes, but he’s REGRESSED instead of developing into a better player. His power numbers are down. His patience is as bad as its ever been. His salary is set to go up in arbitration in years to come. Trade him while he still has some value.

By Supes

June 19, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Trade Francouer this off-season, give him a fresh start and let this “hometown kid stuff go to rest”. Move on without him. I’d rather the Braves organization not chance it and give the guy a huge contract. Let some other team “be patient and wait for him to become the next Murph!” In the meantime…there are plenty of productive, contact hitting outfielders to be had. If the Braves don’t trade Schafer, he’ll be up here next year. You already have B. Jones, G. Blanco and J. Anderson. Maybe they keep Kotsay as well. Even if they don’t go after an OF, they could be respectable, with solid defense and contact hitters who put the ball in play.

By Scott S.

June 19, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Let’s just accept that by years end Jeff will hit .260 20 105 and hold up runners on third from scoring now and then. Go Braves!!!!!

By bubba2braveshead

June 19, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

His run production while the bases are loaded or runners in scoring position with zero or one out is terrible……. He is pressing to hit homers and he is strong enough to just hit a fly to get the run across. Also with his strength he can punchin hits in the alley if he doesn’t allow the pressure to confuse him. He is not using strategy but hopefully he will understand that down in the clutch, the tean really needs him and just don’t press it.

By JEB

June 19, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Frenchy needs to stop ADMIRING Chipper and LEARN from Chipper

I believe the real anger with everyone(concerning Frenchy - as was with Andruw J.) is that they are continually in KEY situations to drive in runs and both of them - continually - make the same undisciplined choices at bat!

Too anxious to hit a HR instead of hitting a single that will move the runner over. Always wanting to pull the ball instead of going with the pitch and taking it to the opposite field. Always swqinging at pitches that are no where near the strike zone.

It gets old watching a catcher (every team is doing it) stand up and ask for that high fast ball - that Frenchy will swing at and strike out on. Or go down to the dirt knowing Frenchy will swing at one in the dirt. (AJ was ALWAYS doing this).

Pitchers know they don’t have to throw strikes, Frenchy is going to swing anyway!!

I don’t have any venom for Frenchy, but he is an athlete, and I know he does not like the way things are. But, surely he can look at the tapes and see a common problem himself! So, if he can see this - then why does he not change??

This is the perplexing thing with Frenchy - as it was with AJ!!

By vic

June 19, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Mark another subject where the Blogs run 95% against your opinion.

Supes 10:16 blog hits the nail on the head. Everyone likes jeff but you got to do your job. Just like you Mark do your job and tell the facts just the facts.

By grandpa

June 19, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

My issues are: He seems slower in the field this year than in the past. He does not heed the advice of others to hit to the opposite field when appropriate. He seems to always be swinging for the fences. With that arc in his swing maybe he should try out for NASA. I am not sure the young man “gets it at all”. I would bring Josh back up..play he and Brandon and see if there is a market for Jeff…..given what is going on there probably won’t be.

By Kenny

June 19, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

For his career, in 565 plate appearances with RISP, Francoeur has batted .314 with a .365 OBP and a .507 SLG.

Through the first 81 games of 2006, Francoeur had a .250 average with a .269 OBP and a .429 SLG.

Over his last 81 games of 2006, Francoeur hit .270 with a .318 OBP and a .470 SLG.

Through the first 78 games of 2007, Francoeur hit .273 with a .318 OBP and a .429 SLG.

Over his last 84 games of 2007, Francoeur hit .311 with a .355 OBP and a .473 SLG.

Go look up the numbers for Joe Carter, Paul Oneill, Alfonso Soriano, Dale Murphy, Roberto Clemente, Ron Gant at 24 and/or 25 years old.

Most of you are a bunch of immature and impatient haters.

The funny and illogical part of it is that these are the same types that say blow it all up and go with a youth movement, get some young pitchers.

If you don’t have the stomach to tolerate the growing pains of young hitters like Frenchy and KJ, there is no way you have the intestinal fortitude to tolerate the growing pains of young pitchers.

Some of you need to grow a sack.

By Chris C.

June 19, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Leave Jeff Francoeur alone. You’re all lucky he even plays for this team. All you guys want is more. More more more. 100 RBIs the past two seasons isn’t good enough for you? He’s a human being. Cut him some slack and leave him alone.

By Shamus Thacker

June 19, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

One reason so many people are upset is because of a perceived lack of effort on Stenchy’s part this year.

For whatever reason, the same inner drive is not there.

Can’t you see that Mr. Sadley?

By keepin it real

June 19, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

*By SLM

June 19, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

To Keepin it real: Your stats are flawed. When bases are loaded, there are 3 men on base, not 4. So if we’re looking at 18 at bats, that’s a max of 54, not 72. Just keepin it you know what…*

And to reply to your…comment….When the bases are loaded and there is a man at the plate holding a bat in his hand..there’s an opportunity for 4 guys to come across the plate. 18*4=72…thats what I was trying to say, but hey I don’t mind going down that road with the numbers. 54 men on base in only bases loaded opportunities and you only go 2 for 18…maybe thats acceptable for you, not for me. There anything else you have to say?

By BRP

June 19, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Hey Chip, instead of going back to 1966 how about we go back to 2007 when Jeff was leading ALL OF BASEBALL in avg with 2 outs and runners in scoring position. Or lets focus on this year. Anyone care to compare Jeff to some of the other outfielders in the NL East? How about 1st place Philly? Jenkins (RF) is batting .256 with 6 hr and 21 RBI’s. How about the 2nd place Marlins? Ameziga (granted he’s been hurt, but his backup is hitting .209) in Center batting .242 1hr 8 RBIs. Mets.. Chavez .238 1hr 5 RBIs.. Jeff is hitting better than all the National’s outfielders. In terms of batting average, Pat Burrell is the top outfielder in the NL East and he’s batting .280. So chip, who would you like to get that’s batting .300?

By braveman

June 19, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Frenchy must go. Too slow. Can’t hit in clutch. Let’s trade him now where he is still worth something. Must be a reason he has no long term contract and McCann does. I am for trading Kelly Johnson, Mark Tex*((&^, McCann, and even Chipper and loading up with lots of tremendous young talent that will hustle and want to win. Overhaul now before it is too late.

By Mitch Kilborn

June 19, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

I am not ready to give up on Frenchy. The problem I see is that he is awful in clutch situations. He leaves a lot of guys on base. I would like to see Bobby pinch hit for him late in games until he gets back to where he should be.

By Johnson

June 19, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Francoeur needs more time off. He appears to be worn out at times. At this point, 5 games should be the most he plays in any given week. Better yet, keep him out longer at times if someone is hot. When he realizes he needs to earn a spot on the lineup each day, perhaps things will change. He is too young, too talented, and the numbers are not bad enough to warrant moving him.

By GLEP

June 19, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

These guys are in the major leagues folks. and they don’t call them the ‘BIGS’ for nothing. So I don’t buy the assertions these guys (like Jeff)are not the players they were. They are playing the best there is anywhere. They are going thru on the job training.(Remember Glavine, Hoss and Smoltz when they were these guys ages?). THEY ARE GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD. It’s just painful to watch while players mature. Right now they have issues of confidence, consistency, and learning how to adjust that they don’t train in the minors. But they do show moments of awesomeness.WHen they get all the kinks out they will be the caliber we are used to seeing in the Big A. You guys are giving me ulcers but you sure don’t make me bored. Don’t give up guys!! If we didn’t care we wouldn’t complain

By Skeezix

June 19, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

I like Frenchy, he has heart and tons of desire. Braves fans need to cool it and remember how young he is. He has the potential to be a great player once he learns to slow things down at the plate. I hope he turns it around this year but I am disappointed that so far this season he has actually regressed at the plate. Last year he seemed to be developing more plate discipline and starting to hit the ball where it was pitched rather than trying to pull everything and hit everything 550 feet. He seems to have slipped back to his old bad habits. I think he should stay in the line up because of his defense and his hustle, but he should be batting 7th or 8th until he improves offensively.

By JCSmalls

June 19, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Frenchy hasn’t gotten any better as a hitter. If I see him swing at the 1st pitch and hit a 2 hopper to short with runners on again I might break my TV. This guys is supposed to be a star, but all he is now an average hitter, with no range in the outfield, and a big, but wild arm. Dude needs to put in some work.

By Mark Bradley

June 19, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

If we’re analyzing song lyrics, it should be noted that Teixeira’s theme is “All Along the Watchtower” (the Hendrix version). And the first line is, ” ‘There must be some kind of way out of here,’ said the joker to the thief.”

Make of that what you will.

By TURTSNAP

June 19, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Mark Don’t you get it? All these negative posters are all Fantasy managers…. They are masters of their domains in the Fantasy world, they have all the answers!!!!

By San

June 19, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Is Terry working with him at all? If so, why does he swing at everything that comes at him? We know he’s in a slump, so is he requesting help from the other players? It’s painful to watch this young man at the plate. He is better than he showing us now, he just has to get his groove back… FAST

By Supes

June 19, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Kenny…an 18 year old can go to war and fight, and vote. At 24…enough of the Jeff Francouer “leave him alone he’s just a kid” comments.

FOLKS, 24 is NOT a kid. I’m sorry. By then you are an adult, most likely doing your chosen profession for a living.

So stop giving him excuses. He’s had enough at bats in the majors now to drop the “Kid Label”. Hell, maybe Mark Bradley can ask him…ask Jeff if he thinks “we should cut him some slack b/c he’s just a kid”. I’m sure Jeff resents these “kid comments” and doesn’t need you all to use them to defend his failures at the plate in 2008.

Chris C Got a youtube clip of that post 1:44?

By T

June 19, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley, Andruw Jones hit 25 HR. and had at least 80 RBI’s for ten straight season, so I guess the Braves should have kept him also.

By Need To Clean House!

June 19, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

To Sum up the Bravo’s woes. LILLY WHITE!!!! Old Coach. Old Players making a TON of cash and cant play. Alot of younguns who cant play.

By Nick

June 19, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Come on guys. RBIs is a statistic that is largely influenced by where you hit in the batting order. You out Francoeur in the 8 spot and he’s not driving in 100 runs. Simple. If you hit Alex Rodriguez fourth behind three pitchers he wouldn’t come close to 100 RBIs. Hell, Hack Wilson wouldn’t even get to 100 RBIs batting behind players who just don’t get on base. That being said, elevating Francoeur’s play based on RBIs is quite illogical, when more representative numbers would be his career .316 OBP or his sub-.800 OPS. Another point to make regarding Mark’s observation that Francoeur outhit McCann from ‘05-‘07. If that is/was the case Mark, wouldn’t you out your stock in McCann considering he’s clearly trending upwards while Francoeur is treading water, while not getting on base? Plain and simple, Francoeur is an overrated player on this team. Not to say he’s not a good player, or worthy of a starting corner outfield spot on this team, or a lot of teams, but because of the torrid start he got his career off to, he is overrated.

By Kenny

June 19, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

The NL average with the bases loaded is .282.

So if he went and got 3 extra hits this year to bring his average up to .277 with the bases loaded that would have made all the difference in the world to some of you?

Those 3 extra hits would probably have led to 7 extra RBIs.

So, 3 extra hits and 7 extra RBIs is the basis of your argument. If so, go find another one.

The man has a .314 AVG and a .514 SLG in his career in 565 plate appearances with runners in scoring position.

By DirtyDawg

June 19, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

You guys are probably right about Francoeur being hurt. That foot thing has been nagging him since high school so why don’t they deal with it. Sit him…DL him…but do something, because he doesn’t seem to be healing while playing.

While I’m here, and since it appears that M. Bradley is checking these from time-to-time, Mark, just when did baseball writers and broadcasters decide that the plural of an RBI is RBI? Did somebody change the style guide? Cause it looks and sounds funny, and further, the treatment isn’t consistent from one use to the next? Just thought I’d ask.

By nique

June 19, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

frenchy has great talent and is young. he just needs to be patient and learn the strike zone. i just hope he learns some lessons from andruw in how not to work to advance your skills. if he doesn’t he will be a waste of talent just like andruw is now.

By Roge

June 19, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

He’s not hated, just realize what’s going on and the position he’s in when he comes to bat with runners in scoring position and try to get them around. Lay off that first curve ball, which Andrew couldn’t do. The pitchers pick up on this so fast.

By B.

June 19, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Frenchy is great - nice, personable, mature. I’d have a beer with him any day.

But baseball’s about winning. As much as I like the guy as a person, he drives me up the wall as a player. I don’t know how many times I’ve sat on the couch screaming “take a pitch, Francoeur!” He never does, pitchers know it, and so they’d be foolish to give him anything decent to hit. First pitch swinging? Absolutely.

Gwynn, Rose - these guys weren’t such good hitters because they knew how to physically swing the bat (though they did so very well). They were good hitters because they knew how to take a pitch, how to work a count, how to get something they could work with. The idea of waiting for the right pitch…well, I wonder sometimes if Francoeur even knows that it’s an option.

Bobby Cox should tell him: you have to take two pitches before you swing. Every time. Even if the first two are right down the middle, you can’t swing - until Frenchy gets used to the idea that he doesn’t have to swing at everything.

By Cooper

June 19, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Jeff needs to be lower in the order and get regular days off to get back on track.

Also TP may not have the answer for JF. He needs a personal hitting coach who can get through to him during this tough patch.

If there was not such a stigma for fielders (versus pitchers) JF should go to the minors and work with the AAA hitting coach and test out his new swing in games that don’t mean anything.

Why is it ok to send a pitcher to the minors (sometimes repeatedly) to work on his stuff but not ok for a position player?

JF is not slumping he has a mechanical problem with his swing and clearly needs to work on pitch recognition.

By Kenny

June 19, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

FOLKS, 24 is NOT a kid. I’m sorry. By then you are an adult, most likely doing your chosen profession for a living.

SUPES Do you have any knowledge whatsoever of the historical development of major league ballplayers? You seem so damn ignorant as if you just started watching baseball yesterday.

What a ballplayer does between the age of 27 and 32 is what makes them a superstar.

What a ballplayer does between the age of 25 and 34 is what makes them an all star.

What a ball player does before the age of 25 and after the age of 34 is what separates the Hall of Famers from the all stars and regular joes.

Even then, most HOFers, except for the truly elite, do little more before the age of 25 and after the age of 34 other than play average ball and compile the numbers needed to make the Hall someday.

Go read some history books, Supes. You are not ready to talk baseball at the big boys table.

By JCSmalls

June 19, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Remember Mike Vick was just a kid at 24……that turned out great for the city of Atlanta.

By Dr. R

June 19, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

RBI stands for “runs (plural) batted in” not “run batted in.” So adding an S would make it “runs batted ins.” Which might make sense to a college football fan but not anyone else. Don’t y’all have a spring game or a scrimmage or some recruiting sites to go visit?

By Bart

June 19, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Any season where your OBP is less than .300 is a terrible one offensively — I don’t care how many RBI (team dependent, batting position dependent) you get. He’s on pace for his second one in 3 full seasons.

How old he is is irrelevant as well. Experience is what we should be looking at. Players don’t all of a sudden get it from the age of 25 to 26 after they’ve been in the league for 4 or 5 years. There is no significant difference between a 30 year old who’s been in the league for 3 full seasons and a 24 year old who’s been in the league for the same duration. Either you’re getting better or you’re getting worse, and Jeff is getting worse.

Why? Because pitcher’s have adjusted to him since his hot start in 05 and he hasn’t adjusted to their adjustments. To be fair, he isn’t capable. His bat is too slow, his swing is too long, his eye is too poor, and his baseball IQ is too low. Good luck, “Frenchy” (worst nickname for a grown man ever).

By Shamus Thacker

June 19, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

Bradley is into hero worship. That’s why he can’t understand the disgust we feel in Stenchy’s performance. I’m into the bottom line; what has he done for us lately!? I can tell you, NOT ONE DAMN THING!

By the Donger

June 19, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Just stop swinging at the first pitch, EVERY SINGLE TIME. Also kid, when they have two strikes on you, they’ll be coming inside.. high or low, you’re hacking… and missing.

And Bradley - goofyasswhiteboys should not use the words “quit hatin’ on…” - penis.

By BravesLover

June 19, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley there is no reason for you to get so testy when more knowledgable fans show you by the numbers that you are flawed. The Braves fan base will show you up EVERY TIME. You are an opinion writer (and pot stirer at times) so don’t pretend to be more knowledgable than the Braves nation. If Dontrelle can go to single A to learn to pitch again then Francoeur can go to double or triple A to learn to bat. BIG mistake bringing him up “for good” three years ago. Pitchers make a fool of him and all he can do is pull at his cup after every pitch and every step on the base path. I would like for him to do well but have only seen regression and confusion from him. BC doesn’t do Jeff a favor by keeping him on the major league team or batting in an rbi producing (supposedly) position.

By prattvillenolzfan

June 19, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

New Braves Blog is up………

By B.

June 19, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Thinking on this more, I wonder if the reason for “hating” on Frenchy is that his particular problems seem so easy to fix, and so frustrating to the fan. He seems like he’s on the verge of being a great player — but his inability to hit intelligently keeps him from it. It’s not like he’s got some mechanical problem, or a strange hitch of some sort. All he needs to do to be great is…not swing all the time. And yet…

It’s so frustrating watching that — you just want to duck tape the bat to his shoulder sometimes.

By ramjet

June 19, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

I’ll tell you what’s happened… All through the history of sports it’s worse than the Sports Illustrated cover, it’s worse than drugs, worse than any injury, and worse than getting a fat contract. What is it?… They get married.

By Shamus Thacker

June 19, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Stenchy is lucky he doesn’t play in New York. He’d be pelted with nickels, dimes, quarters, and batteries, from the outfield seats. He’d be ravaged by the New York [professional] press. He wouldn’t appear so nonchalant on the field because he’d fear for his life. lol

By Chris

June 19, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

I think the big thing that frustrates us is we know the talent to hit .300/30/100 is there, but he’s pressing. He’s trying to be this big ppower hitter, and he needs to be more like Bobby Bonds than Barry Bonds. He uses so much effort in his swing, it’s hard to look at. I think if he were to go up there and let instincts take over, you’d see him do a lot better. He’s trying to put pitches in particular spots in the field (or bleachers), and it’s not working.

I wouldn’t mind moving him down in the lineup, but who is going to move up? Blanco, Johnson and Escobar aren’t your prototypical power/RBI guys either.

This would be my lineup: Blanco/Jones/Anderson (whoever is playing another OF position and is quick) Escobar Jones McCann Tex Frenchy KJ The other speedy OF spot

We need the guys in the 1-2 spot to get on and steal some bases, so Chipper, McCann and Tex can drive them in, and put less pressure on the 6-7 spots. Right now, we got guys who get on with singles, and don’t try to steal.

TP is a decent batting coach (see KJ when he’s going right), but there are some players he can’t help. Frenchy needs to hit the cage with Chipper and McCann and learn to take a pitch or two.

By TQ

June 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

He’s 24 yrs old and feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, give him a break for crying out loud. He is pressing way too hard and needs a little love shown him by the fans! He sees the general lack of production..a*Abysmal team performance in one run games and away games and probably blames himself! Lighten up everybody - this is a good team, not a great team and at the end of the season they will be something to be proud of as will Frenchy! There are no slackers or bad apples here so the little league coaches can breathe a sigh of relief as far as role-models are concerned. By the way, by all testimonies, Frenchy is an absolute gentleman when he socializes in Public and we should be thankful for that nowadays.

By Shamus Thacker

June 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Thank God the new blog is up. DOB and Carroll are TRUE PROFESSIONALS!!

Bradley should be selling sunglasses to the blind…

By Westie

June 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

It is amazing that all these posters, who are probably losers at their own jobs since they are posting during office hours, find that they need to pour out their opinions of Jeff Franceour. If you know so much about baseball, why aren’t you still playing? Or why aren’t you a big league coach correcting all these players’ problems? And they say women ramble on and on about nothing?

By Chrissy Baldino

June 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Ever since Jeff got married, he plays like he is best suited to play on a girls softball team. No. 7 is a cream puff…

By Bud Wiser

June 19, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

I’ll cover all bets that say Francoeur will even meet, much less exceed, his stats for last year, and I’ll give you 3-2 odds that he will not. With his knowledge of the strike zone and situational awareness, he will NEVER catch fire as some of you Braves homies believe he will! The only thing that will catch fire for him will be his underwear if the old clothes dryer blows a circuit. Just looking at him tells you all you need to know…..the big toothy smile is gone, and that bat feels like he’s carrying a boxcar when he walks back to the dugout. Getting him with Chipper’s dad to learn hitting wouldn’t hurt, and freeing up Terry Pendleton’s spot as hitting instructor works for me. Anyone remember Rick Camp and his hitting prowess while he was with the Braves? Jefrey’s swing isn’t that far away…..

By David

June 19, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Doubt anyone will read down this far, but…

Slumps happen, even to the best of them. Give the kid a break. Tex isn’t exactly having a stellar year either.

Once again, Atlanta fans show little or no patience and display a twinge of that fairweather attitute which will be in full force come October when the Braves don’t make the playoffs.

By Won't beat me in HR Derby

June 19, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Giving a pass to a professional athlete who makes a ton of money (well maybe not Frenchy at this point, but last I checked $400k is a lot by any standard) is ridiculous. You give a pass to the mentally handicapped athletes at the Special Olympics, not these guys.

By techgirl

June 19, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Maybe id he’d stop swinging at the first pitch, which is usually low and outside, he’d have a better chance to succeed.

By techgirl

June 19, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Maybe if he’d stop swinging at the first pitch, which is usually low and outside, he’d have a better chance to succeed.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

I love how tihs guy acts like this season is just a flash in the pan, and that it’s a given that Frenchy will return to his “established level.”

As bad as he’s been, his numbers still aren’t as bad as his 2006 year. And both his numbers from 2006 and 2008 are worse than Andruw’s famously terrible 2007 campaign. The guy is a joke.

But what’s more of a joke, is that the AJC has fluffed him relentlessly through it all (Casual references to him as ‘the face of the franchise’ and ‘the next great brave’ everywhere.), yet this guy has the audacity to come out and ask “whats with the frenchy hate?” Give me a break. Even for a pot-stirring opinion column, that’s bushleague. Also, nice use of “stats” in your article (I especially liked how you entirely neglected 2008 and 2006 in how you established his “established levels”)

here I’ll boil it down for you: “What’s with the venom against Frenchy?”

He sucks. Yet your newspaper, our announcers, and the casual and fairweather fans in Francoeur jerseys have relentlessly insisted otherwise, despite SUBSTANTIAL evidence to the contrary. That and the fact that he left 15 men on base while picking up 0 RBI at home, in essence singlehandedly getting us swept by the Phillies recently (though you wouldn’t have known it as all the local media coverage focused on Kelly’s (who also picked up several big hits in the series) dropped flyball.)

AJC Braves coverage = A sunshine pumping joke.

By henry

June 19, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

I see very little hate towards Francoeur . Fans are simply tired of his selfish approach . I feel certain we have minor league outfielders with less talent who could produce better . He has all the tools , but refuses to learn how to win . He has cost us more games than any player on the team this year .

By ricknole

June 19, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Its amazing what happen to men after they get married…..

By Vince

June 19, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Jeff was made out to be a Superstar, from the fans and media, for his performance when he was first called up. It didn’t hurt that he was a local guy either. Jeff is a “Good” ball player, not a Superstar. Drop him in the order and let him figure it out. Don’t expect him to carry this team or be anymore than what he is. Besides, the Braves will need many new faces on the mound next year and he will probably be gone before his stock drops further.

By dont get it

June 19, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

What’s with the fair weather comments. I’ve been a Braves fan for over 4 decades, and to hear some fans call other fans that can no longer put up with mediocrity is crazy. We’ve had to put up with the Hawks, the Falcons, and the Braves…eventually you get tired of mediocre play. Most recently we put up with Andruw’s mediocre hitting for more than 10 years. Criticism is part of the game…get over it. It’s not bad if a “fan” makes criticizes something with real facts. Most of the stuff I have read today have hard facts to back up the criticism.

By The Professor

June 19, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Look who walked and scored the first run today. I’m a huge Francoeur fan. He’s not batting .220, he’s been slumping and he’s still above .250. Last time I looked his numbers as a rightfielder were better than Griffey’s. If he keeps his current pace he’ll hit 20 HRs and drive in close to 100. He’s frustrating with his lack of patience and plate discipline, but how many major leaguers,under 25 years old are in a position to average 20 HRs and have 100 RBIs in their first 3 full years of services. Throw in a gold glove too. Not bad production for paying major league minimum salary. Why don’t we question some high priced stars who aren’t producing? I’m going to stay loyal to the kid and support him in the good AND bad times.

By Kevin

June 19, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Frenchy appears as clueless at the plate as Andruw did last season! Every time he bats it seems as if he takes 2 fastballs sown the middle, then swings at a breaking ball 2 feet off the plate. What is really disturbing is that he no longer produces in the clutch! 2 for 18 with 7 RBIs in bases-loaded situations doesn’t cut it!

For that matter, with the exception of Chipper, the whole lineup is struggling with situational hitting. The pitchers aren’t getting sacrifice bunts down. Other hitters seem to be trying to pull everything, then they roll over an offspeed pitch and ground into a double play.

I think Bobby Cox should move Gregor Blanco to leadoff, bat Yunel Escobar second, move Kelly Johnson to sixth and Bat Frenchy seventh. That should relieve some of the pressure on Escobar and Frenchy, while providing a jolt of speed at the top of the lineup.

By L-Town Scrub

June 19, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Frenchy will be fine! I think the expectations are to high. Jeff is probably a .275 20 100 player. I think that once he keeps the left side in and gets his left foot down in time he will be fine. Being a Parkview alum I will always support Jeff. keep your head up!

By The Professor

June 19, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Look who walked and scored the first run today. I’m a huge Francoeur fan. He’s not batting .220, he’s been slumping and he’s still above .250. Last time I looked his numbers as a rightfielder were better than Griffey’s. If he keeps his current pace he’ll hit 20 HRs and drive in close to 100. He’s frustrating with his lack of patience and plate discipline, but how many major leaguers,under 25 years old are in a position to average 20 HRs and have 100 RBIs in their first 3 full years of services. Throw in a gold glove too. Not bad production for paying major league minimum salary. Why don’t we question some high priced stars who aren’t producing? I’m going to stay loyal to the kid and support him in the good AND bad times.

By mart

June 19, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

What do you mean, Atlanta fans show little patience? The Braves have won 1 champtionship in 40 years and that one was 13 years ago. No other city would put up with that level of ineptness without being cranky. Also, people need to lay off the cracks about being “only 24.” I’m 24 (or at least used to be) and am perfectly capable of holding down a job.
Wait til next year!

By Jonny

June 19, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

I’ll take him over Andruw Jones anyday

By He has it alright

June 19, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Im sure the “Frenchy” lovers will be all over the board now because he walked and scored. Thats what he shoulda done, if you didn’t notice none of those pitches were in the strike zone. Any other batter on this team would have walked and scored. Yet again we have a guy at third one out and what does he do…….sacrifice fly? no………..homer?no……Pop out? you bet.

By Not Terry Pendleton

June 19, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

Frenchy doesn’t know what a strike is, but worse doesn’t understand baseball. The problem with the Braves for the entire marvelous run is not knowing how to play the game. Situation hitting! The Braves are the only the team at any level that will watch a pitcher walk consecutive batters and then coming up swinging at the first pitch. I know you’re thinking well he’s going to groove this one, but he was trying to groove the last eight pitches, too. Look at a couple of pitches especially if you’re struggling. Maybe if Frenchy hadn’t come up with B. Mc he would get a pass, but the guy that has a harder job is blowing him out of the water with a little less time in the bigs. French is the new Fat Boy…Andruw and he definitely belongs in the minors.

By Brooke

June 19, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

If Frenchy was black he would have been benched or sent down by now!

And you know I’m telling the truth!

By matt

June 19, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Would it kill the guy to put the ball in play and drive home a run? Every time I look up he’s stranding a guy at 3rd with less than 2 outs.

By toopier

June 19, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

I had no problem with Frenchy’s batting woes until I saw him loafing on the home run in LA/Anaheim/Cali.

It was a 3 foot fence and he was a spectator. After seeing that, I started counting up the strike outs. Funny how a little hustle and attitude can make you overlook problems, but a lazy play will put you under the microscope.

By Bad news Braves

June 19, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

I think the whold problem is Jeff got married over the winter and he thinks he’s got it made. I believe he’s henpecked at home and takes out his frustration at the plate.

Jeff needs to take batting practice with no bat in his hand. Just stand there and watch the ball.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

In response to an above post:

I agree with you that Jeff was made out to be a superstar, despite the fact that he isn’t.

But then you claim that he’s a GOOD player. Look at the stats, he’s not. He’s the worst offensive right fielder in baseball. You can’t get the level of production we get from our corner-outfielders and expect to win. You also can’t get the level of production and power from the right side of the plate offensively that we get and expect to win.

That’s why it’s Frenchy’s fault. He doesn’t hit, yet he plays everyday, and hits in a crucial part of the lineup (He’s in the top 8 in the league in ‘runners on base’ on the year…I’d be willing to bet he’s in the top 3 in runners LOB.)

Again, he sucks. And if he wasn’t a local hero with a pretty face that schoolgirls pine over and sportswriters mancrush on (Obviously), he wouldn’t be playing everyday. Not on a competitive team anyway.

By The Professor

June 19, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Francoeur’s numbers have gone down since Kotsay got hurt. Wonder if this is just a coincidence? Braves wins have decreased since Kotsay’s been out.

By reading these posts I can see why there aren’t that many home town major leaguers. I’m not sure I would want to play in my hometown. Tough to separate reasonable criticism and personalize venom. I think Francoeur suffers from being overexposed which creates the backlash when he slumps. That’s a lot to deal with at 24.

By Shane

June 19, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Look who couldnt drive in a run from third with one out. Again

By By The Numbers...

June 19, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Francoeur has a CAREER OBP of .316 and slugging of .422. That is not bad, that is horrible!!! To put it in perspective, Greg Norton, a journeyman riding our bench, has a career OBP of .358 and slugging of .439 (both better than Francoeur). It’s simple, Francoeur will only be an average (maybe even below avg) outfielder and anyone expecting anything else is an idiot…

By Ben

June 19, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

come on guys this is a sport that declares superstars of anyone who can bat 300, think about 3 out 10, is that so great ?

By Ben

June 19, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

come on guys this is a sport that declares superstars of anyone who can bat 300, think about it 3 out 10, is that so great ?

By Tim

June 19, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

All you people talking about Frenchy “slumping” right now need to look at the damn numbers…he’s not slumping, he just sucks.

He has a CAREER .316 OBP…that includes the ups and the downs…everything….that is terrible, there is no way around how terrible it is, especially for a corner outfielder who plays everyday in the 5 or 6 hole (his RBI numbers are a result of the fact that he has so many opportunities, frenchy apologists.)

By Ben

June 19, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

come on guys this is a sport that declares superstars of anyone who can bat 300, think about it 3 out 10, is that so great ?

By The Way Sports Should Be

June 19, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Hey Jeff, I believe in you

By Darion

June 19, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

RE:

“By Brooke June 19, 2008 3:16 PM | *Link to this If Frenchy was black he would have been benched or sent down by now!

And you know I’m telling the truth!*”

Brooke - If Frenchy were black, he would be playing another sport, possibly be dead, have VD, be a deadbeat dad and/or be in jail by now!

Baseball is a cerebral person’s that requires thinking, concentration and patience. Maybe you should consider THAT to be the reason why our Right Fielder isn’t black.

You know that’s right.

By The Way Sports Should Be

June 19, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Hey Jeff, I believe in you

By Brian

June 19, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

I don’t care one way or the other. The kids public comments about George Bush turned me off to him.

By joshg

June 19, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Why the hate for Kelly Johnson? Who is a much more stable, better all around player than Jeff Francoeur.

By BUSHWACKER

June 19, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Any idiot who hates on Jeff is not a real baseball fan and is just another drive by, bandwagon fool who goes along with the crowd if they think its cool.

despite his low avg this year, he is probabaly the best defensive outfielder in baseball and he at 25 only a handful of players in the history of the game have driven in more runs than he has at this age.

Of course today’s espn kool aid drinking fans think home runs are what baseball are all about.

RBI’s is the name of the game.

While in some peoples eyes its a bad thing,he is a class act,and a good person.

We are lucky to have him and he is a true role model for kids!!

Don’t listen to the idiots Jeff, we know how lucky we are to have you.

By Dumbing Down

June 19, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Because he sucks and he should be traded for some pitching. He didn’t hustle in the outfield against the A’s on a home stand when a ball was hit to him. ANY OTHER TOWN would’ve booed him to hell and high water. The ATL is a joke when it comes to really letting the players have it…especially this “home-boy.”

By BUSHWACKER

June 19, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Brian, you could learn something from Jeff!!!

By Tim

June 19, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

The AJC’s Chosen One’s OPS by month:

2005: July: 1.326 August: .878 September: .694

2006: April: .601 May: .791 June: .691 July: .845 August: .781 September .724

2007: April: .908 May: .716 June: .665 July: .890 August: .748 September: .780

2008: April: .769 May: .679 June: .684

So since the first month of his career (which admittedly, was nothing short of amazing…what a ride 2005 was.), he has only had ONE month where his OPS tipped over .900 (and just barely)…ONE month out of SEVENTEEN.

Even worse, since the beginning of 2006, he’s only had THREE months out of FIFTEEN where his OPS was above .800.

And even worse, 6 out of his 18 months as a professional, he’s put up a PATHETIC sub-700 OPS. And worst of all, the past two months fall under this category.

THAT, Mark Bradley, esteemed ‘journalist’, is what all the venom is about.

By Daybed Wagmoe

June 19, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Mark — you refer above to some of what Francouer has done before this season. He’s better than Brad Komminsk; his two 100-rbi seasons (which are 2 more than Sizemore); 2-out rbi over the past two-plus seasons; Francouer hit better than Mac in ‘05 and ‘07. Those are fine, but what about what he’s done this year? You can’t say that he hasn’t struggled. He’s stranded tons of baserunners in key moments. He’s hitting .265 with bases empty compared to .237 with men on.

By Mitch

June 19, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

SHUT UP CLOWNS! You guys obviously don’t understand the game of baseball and are starting to sound like New York fans and it’s embarrassing. These struggles are normal for younger players and it’s the BIG PICTURE that matters. When he is able to establish consistency and have a solid career you guys will still probably not realize that you are ignorant baseball player hating clowns. Move to New York or learn the game and SHUT UP.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

An above poster claimed that Jeff was the “best fielder in baseball” and that anyone who disagreed wasn’t a true baseball fan. Hilarious.

Besides the impressive number of outfield assists he collected in his first three years, he is about an average fielder by most meaningful metrics. (Fielding Bible + / - & RZR (revised Zone Rating)) And after an above average year last year in those categories, which combined with his number of outfield assists, got him the gold glvoe, he has actually this year been well below his career numbers and below league average as well.

So maybe I’m not a “true baseball fan” like you, but at least I base my opinion on fact instead of the 4 games a year I see on tv or that one time you saw Jeff at a Billy ray cyrus concert.

By T.C

June 19, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

jerk bradly you didnt take up for drew so why jeff?last year was last year while your throwing up stats it just dont count.if i lost a 100.00 dollars on wednesday and the day is thursday,i cant go back to wednesday and try to find it.besides these guys get paid a ton of doe to play a steroid infested game.

By Shannon

June 19, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

This blog is a joke. Do you guys watch baseball? It is a LONG season. There are big ups and big downs. Jeff played all 162 games last season and hit .293. Any good baseball player will tell you that hitting in the big leagues is a series of adjustments. Obviously Jeff has to make some to get back where he needs to be. But don’t bail on a 24 year old guy BEFORE the All-Star break. That makes no sense. Is anyone bailing on Troy Tulowitzki because he is hitting .152 this season? Or Ryan Howard at .221 ? No. Because we know they are good players and it is only a matter of time before the numbers get back to normal.

By The Monk

June 19, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Mark - You are way off here. If anything, Francoeur has consistently gotten a major pass from Braves fans because he is a nice local kid. But seriously, he currently seems intent on being as bad as Andruw Jones was last year (and this). What is his seeming attitude? “Aw shucks, I’m just a real aggressive hitter.” That’s not working.

By Kamac

June 19, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

It’s not so much that people hate Jeff. It’s more that he doesn’t come through in clutch situations. But, even that would have been less irritating had he not been so arrogant as to turn down a contract offer from the Braves because he thought he was so dang good after only 1 year in the majors. Players turn down contracts all the time, but not after playing only 1 year. Bottom line, he got puffed up with his own importance, believed his own press, and this year is his reality check.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

We’re the Clowns?

We’re the ones providing evidence.

The Frenchy apologists are the one spouting off emotional diatribes and insults.

By Ralph

June 19, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Francoeur, doesn’t seem to be such of himself, he has no idea what to do at the plate, he wants to swing before the pitcher lets go of the ball, he doesn’t know how to read the pitcher, the opposition can read him pretty good. He try’s to kill the ball, wanting to hit a homer every time he bats, and is still playing with the same high school hero mentality. Terry Pendleton, since he has been hitting coach, hasn’t help any of the Braves poor hitters, it’s time to bring in someone, who can help the Brave. The Braves take way to many strikes, they think they are the umpires. A batter should take one, from there on protect the plate, one thing Francoeur, doesn’t do. There isn’t a dislike towards Francoeur, but the name of the game is to win, if you have a player, that has been given a number of opportunities, and haven’t deliver, you must put someone in that can. He’s young, and he most learn to from his mistakes, bring in a good hitting coach to work with him. What, Francoeur, needs to get rid of is his impatience, and big head mentality. Another thing get rid of Miller, the guy is the worse catcher the Braves ever had.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Good point Kamac.

Frenchy apologists are quick to cite ‘character’ as his biggest asset…even though they dont know him. (For the record, he is actually a really nice guy.)

But what about the fact that he has turned down the Braves offer two years in a row, despite the fact that he hasn’t proven himself at all on the field yet?

McCann took the offer, he’s about to be a three-time allstar, yet Frenchy turns it down two years in a row, despite the fact that he’ll never be an allstar?

What say you Frenchy apologists?

By Bart

June 19, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Tim,

Don’t you know that all your “stats” mean nothing? He’s driven in 100 RBI, remember? Forget that in the other 500 plus at bats during the season he’s making terrible outs, killing the team, and basically appearing to be the dumbest homo sapien to ever don a baseball uniform, all the while serving as the equivalent to comic relief to struggling opposing pitchers.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Re: Bart’s comments about Jeff being ‘comic relief’ to the struggling opposing pitchers.

Earlier this year in our trip to Philly. The game Brett Myers started. The Braves were destroying Myers, and after McCann got on base, so Frenchy was coming to the plate, and Charlie Manuel came out to pull Myers. Reading lips, the following conversation happened:

Myers: But I own this guy. Manuel: I know. Next time. Myers shakes head and walks off field.

The word was out around September 2005 on this guy and he hasn’t adjusted since.

By Zach

June 19, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Bradley I’m not feeling your sharp words towards the bloggers when you’re defending the biggest hole in the braves lineup.

Frenchy has been TERRIBLE this season in clutch situations, and the ONLY reason he has as many RBI’s as he does is because he’s top five in the league with plate appearances with runners on base. He has totally forgotten how to play fundamental baseball at the plate and keeps making the same painful mistakes over and over again. In all honesty right now I would rather have infante out there now than him. At least he can make fundamental plays and he’s not striking out ever other pa.

I personally think that he knows he’s playing for his contract and he he’s pressing too much for that. He just needs to calm down, maybe take a day off or so and remember how to play fundamentally at the plate.

The bottom line is that we have higher expectations for frenchy that he clearly hasn’t lived up too. And your perspective is the exact opposite of what we need to get him going.

By NCBravesFan

June 19, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

Mark I think it goes back to the expectations for all the Braves as a team. Kinda tough to blame the guys who are injured, so Frenchy has, for whatever reason, become the whipping boy. (Even though quite a few Braves are not performing up to par.)

One question I’ll throw out there - could part of the issue be the muscle he added over the winter? I’ve heard it said that baseball is one of those sports where bigger is not necessarily better.

Anybody have any ideas on whether that could explain his struggles this year?

By LivininAL

June 19, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

No hate for Frenchy, Frenchy is not producing nad is still playing for Bobby just like Andrew did. He finally sat him one game. Let him sit 3-4 games. It is not like we are gonna lose a big amount of production if he is not in RF. I think Blanco, Jones and Anderson showed some tools too.

By Ben

June 19, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

swinging at everything and looks like he’s running in sand on defense. this has gone on for half a year now. noticed he hit the ball after he was benched for a game. try a longer break —- now.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

I know not to expect an answer, but are all you people that keep speculating about Jeff’s struggles this year (is it his marriage? is it the weight he added? is he just slumping? is it the ‘lack of love shown him by the fans’?) looking at the numbers?

I really don’t think you are.

Take this in again…his CAREER OBP is .316. There is no getting around how terrible that is. (To put it in perspective, Andruw had a .311 last year in one of the worst seasons any of us could have imagined)

Think about that for a second.

Then read my post above with his month by month OPS breakdown…

…then look at his minor league numbers and remember back to how short-lived his hot start was in 2005.

Is he really slumping?

Or does he suck?

There’s also a lot of talk about unreasonable expectations. Gee I wonder where those came from? Could it be that the same hacks asking “why the venom against Frenchy?” were the same one’s proclaiming him the second coming of Dale Murphy in 2005?

I think we all know the answer to that one…

By Braves never win on the road

June 19, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

Frenchy just sucks a baseball player end of story .He don’t have a clue when he is batting .Looks like he swatting flies when he swings .. Trade him for a bucket of balls something get him off the team before its to late

By George Alexander

June 19, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

The hole team is VERY GOOD.

By George Alexander

June 19, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

The hole team is VERY GOOD.

By atl-fan

June 19, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Bradley STOP crying!!! If he played better then fans would have nothing to complain about. Get it together!

By Tim

June 19, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Frenchy up with the tying runs in scoring position in the 9th…what will happen…

By PMC

June 19, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

I think I can unequivocally say Every Braves fan wants to see him succeed. He’s got an opportunity now, so I hope he can do it. We all do. He HAS to get better though especially if he wants a big long term deal.

By Jim

June 19, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

.252 does not tell the story. What is his average with men in scoring position. I bet below .200.

By ATLien

June 19, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

OK.. runner on 2nd and 3rd. Braves down two in the ninth with Frenchy at the plate… let’s see if he can FINALLY step up………..

By Stuart

June 19, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

If Heyward keeps hitting .330 in the minors then we won’t have to worry about frenchy in about 3 years.

By True Atlanta Fan

June 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Thankfully, none of you are baseball experts and do not have any impact on what Bobby Cox does. It isn’t fair to compare Jeff to future hall of famers his age. Maybe the media is soft on him because some of these lofty expectations have come from them. He will always be in the lineup because of his run producing abiliity. Sorry he isn’t Kelly Johnson and doesn’t strike out looking everyday. Baseball players go through ups and downs, lay off. You do not want to root for a Georgian to do well, that is fine, you probably were rooting for Russia during the Cold War too. I guess you believe that you have the ‘right’ to criticize your own, but don’t jump on the bandwagon when Jeff becomes an All-Star. If you believe that Jeff is such a good guy, why would you think he let his best friends’ success effect his play. You don’t give Chipper a hard time for being a pansy or dodging good pitchers because of a fake injury. Hope all of these fair-weather fans enjoy putting their players through the mud. If I was Francouer, I’d go for as much money as I could get. Signing that contract is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and the Braves are cheap and lowball everybody. Especially after hearing all of these garbage posts on here, I would not feel the need to be loyal one bit to you unrealistic idealists. We’ve lost too many players over the years because of cheap management. So if you want to blame somebody, blame the Braves for not putting a competent hitting coach in place. Just because Pendleton hit, does not mean he knows how to help others. These posts sicken me, but I guess that I should not be surprised, your the same a***** that make it dangerous to drive in this city.
-true atlanta fan
p.s. who brought us within one run today in th 9th? the same ‘bum’ that you all want out of town. And spare me the ‘luck’ argument, watch Bull Durham.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

It’s slighly above .220 on the year, Jim.

Frenchy got lucky there. Hits a feeble grounder back to the pitcher who cant field it, but deflects it for an infield hit. I’ll take it, but that wasn’t exactly coming through in the clutch. Little luck never hurt anybody.

By ATLien

June 19, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

WOW He just got a hit in the ninth with the game on the line. Kudos Frenchy.

By braveswin

June 19, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

In defense of Francour, We do not have a hitting coach.TP ruined A Jones and will ruin Jeff and the rest of our young talent if he stays.Someone tell me one player that has developed as a hitter since TP was hired.I’ll wait but I won’t hold my breath.TP must go. Maybe he will be a good manager someday but he is without a doubt the worst hitting coach in the league…..

By Tim

June 19, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

“True Atlanta Fan”,

I can’t help but notice you didn’t cite a single statistic in your Too-Long-Didn’t-Read rant. It’s ok though, that kind of irrational, reactionaory, emotional defensiveness has been par for the course for you Frenchy apologists in this thread.

Keep it up, it’s amusing.

I like how you all manage to accuse anyone who questions Frenchy’s talent as being “not real fans”….despite the fact that all the evidence supports their conclusions. Hilarious.

By Bobby's Cox

June 19, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Mark,

I commend you for listening to our voices as fans.

However, I cannot possibly agree with you when you say that you feel sorry for us and not frenchy. Let me refresh your memory.

It was Frenchy, not us, that declined the braves contract offer to him last year. Frenchy, has told the media he wants a contract in the neighborhood of Ryan Howard. He also told the media he wanted to increase his walks by a certain percentage this year and every year thereafter, and get his power stroke back. In ST, he bragged about his added muscle in batting practice. He also played golf on many occasions with Smotlz and Tiger Woods instead of hitting the cages. I’m afraid the golden boy is trying to live the high life instead of doing what’s best for the team.

Frenchy’s added muscle and desire to get that power stroke back, has halted his progress and halted this team’s rise to the top with numerous AB that hurt this team this year. Not to mention he’s one of the slowest OF at age 24 in the NL. All we wanted out of Frenchy this year was to have him try to hit base hits to RF and work better counts (i.e. try to progress). But he has regressed substantially.

Early today, Frenchy grounded out with a runner on third with < 2 out. He failed to hit the simplistic sac fly and we are down by 2 in the 9th with a runner on 3rd and 1 out. Frenchy by the way is at the plate, in what should be a 3-4 braves deficit. Now we have to rely on him getting a hit instead of yet another sac fly. Situations like this have plagued the braves all year.

Frenchy in spring training came to camp with 20 pounds of added muscle. He took it into his own hands to replace Andruw Jones power. But boy, has he instead replaced the AJ that we are last familiar with. (Frenchy just singled to the pitcher).

And we are to blame? Yikes. Time for the golden boy to grow up.

We’d be up 5-4 right now in the ninth btw. Hope this doesn’t turn into another 1-run road loss on what has otherwise been the best road trip of the season. See our point?

By Tim

June 19, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Had to quote this one again:

“You do not want to root for a Georgian to do well, that is fine, you probably were rooting for Russia during the Cold War too. “

Hilarious.

He caught me. Because I cited statistics showing what a below average player Frenchy has been, I’m a communist.

By atl-fan

June 19, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

True Atlanta Fan you are a moron! When fans pay money to see a team play they have every right to make analysis of the team that takes the field. Frenchy, while popular, is playing poorly and has yet to bat .300 for a season in his career. I mean- he was a first round pick! It amazes me that some of you can have so much compassion for a super-star playing poorly.

Get it together!

By Dre

June 19, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Give Frenchy a pass? What in the WORLD has he done for a PASS? a year or two of ok stats? The Only brave that is not on the pitching staff that can a pass is CHIPPER! Frenchy has had more chances for RBI’s than any Brave and he only has 40 RBI’s. he is batting .160 with bases loaded with less than 2 outs.

By ATLien

June 19, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Another blown one-run loss on the road… Somebody tell Bobby to keep his righty/lefty matchup obsessed fat a** in the dugout next time and quit using our entire bullpen for one half inning.

By Mike

June 19, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Way to field that ball cleanly Jeff…atta boy….your right Bradley, we should give him a pass, look at all he did today…LMAO.

By jz

June 19, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

Impressive way to end the game today, Frenchy. Way to make Bradley look good.

By space485

June 19, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

Gee, I thought the idea of the game was to win. Not just compete but to win. It is clear that with Francouer batting in the 5th or 6th hole we don’t stand a chance. Neither do we stand a chance with Teixeira hitting in the 4 spot or with the overworked bullpen that we have. Of those three problems the easiest to fix is moving Francouer down in the line-up or benching him all together.

He looks just like Andruw Jones at the plate minus the falling down. He has stranded more people on base that hurrican Katrina. And we’ll leave Iraqi before he hits the ball to right field consistently. And your going to argue that this ok because he is only 24 and a local boy. Those are arguements that cause teams to finish out of the playoffs.

By TURTSNAP

June 19, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

Yep, here we go, blame the game on Frenchy. Most of you bloggers are a bunch of low-life scum sucking maggots!

By harness

June 19, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

he’s a bum send him to richmond

By MBPELICAN

June 19, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Sometime since last season ended Francoeur lost something, and he needs to find it, and find it fast, that mental error in the OF just cost us the game(That and Bobby pulling Ohman for no good reason)

By McFann©

June 19, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley—

Does that answer your question?

By Braves have no heart

June 19, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Who cares where he is from? What in the world does that have to do with anything? The guy has no clue of how to approach an at bat, but he’s a local guy so back off? Jeff Francoeur is one of the easiest outs in baseball and is a horrendous situational hitter. He is a rally killer and now seems to be loafing in the outfield. He’ll be a bench player on a mediocre NL team when ever the Braves brass realizes he is a liability.

By bigjon

June 19, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

“Son, we’d like to keep you around this season, but we’re going to try and win a pennant instead.” ……….Casey Stengel

By Del

June 19, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Bradley —- Do you need any more validation of the fans ire with JF after todays Game?

By bigjon

June 19, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

“Son, we’d like to keep you around this season, but we’re going to try and win a pennant instead.” ……….Casey Stengel

By bigjon

June 19, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

“Son, we’d like to keep you around this season, but we’re going to try and win a pennant instead.” ……….Casey Stengel

By BT

June 19, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Solid column as usual Bradley. Your boy comes up with the game on the line and barely makes contact, hacks at a ball, actually gets a bat on it, and after getting lucky with what should’ve been an error on CJ Wilson, he boots a routine grounder in right and costs the Braves the game. His lack of plate discipline is unacceptable. I didn’t bother reading what you had to say, but this guy doesn’t need anyone going to bat for him. He needs to get in the cage himself.

By Al

June 19, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Its the fact that he hasn’t signed a long term contract yet. Chipper has a below market contract, so does McCann because they want to play for the Braves. Francoeur thinks he deserves a better deaal than those two guys and he’s wrong. When he become a “Brave” like Chipper & Brian…he will get all the respect and love they get.

By Braves never win on the road

June 19, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

F*&^ You JF you stink

By Biff P

June 19, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Jeff needs to spend a couple hours watching film of Bonds at the plate. Notice the discipline, awareness of the strike zone, and compact swing. Yeah, we hated him, but Bonds knew what he was doing at the dish.

By Tomas

June 19, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Mark,

You make a good point. Every player goes through there share of slumps: A-Rod, Derek Jeter, Andruw, etc…. The thing is that Frenchy has never had a consistant year wher he hits close to 300, and has around 30 hr. His pacience has improved, but he is still a guy pitchers have confidence they can’t get him out. This is exactly why the Braves haven’t signed him to a longterm deal.

By Efrim

June 19, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

I get it. Driving in 100 runs in consecutive seasons wasn’t a representative sample, but going 2 for 18 with the bases loaded over one-third of a season is. Can’t argue with that cutting logic.

Because RBI’s aren’t the most overrated stat in baseball??? Right, because they are. The guy has a 720 OPS this season for a corner bat. .300 OBP for a corner bat is deplorable.

By Chuck

June 19, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

I think perhaps some fans are a little upset with Francoeur because he appears to be stubborn in his approach to hitting, kind of the attitude, “I am a star, always have been in every sports I have played, so I am going to do things MY way.” ML baseball involves making adjustments, pitchers figuring out how to get batters out, batters adjusting to that, etc. Only the top stars don’t have to make adjustments, and Francoeur doesn’t quite have that kind of talent. It seems to me that Jeff has the same approach he did as a rookie, and ML pitchers know how to get him out, just don’t give him a strike. He’ll hit mistakes, but ML pitchers don’t make that many of them. His base running also has not improved very much even though he should be better at it. Having big talent will get a player only do far, and Francoeur seems to want to rely just on that. I thought he had the potential to be a solid .280-.290 hitter, 20-plus homers, over 100 RBI’s every season. Won’t happen until he starts to think more at the plate and not fall victim to the Andruw Jones Syndrome. He could use some days off, to be on the bench and just watch the game, but Bobby Cox won’t do that, almost like he doesn’t want to hurt the kid’s feelings.

By Brent

June 19, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

This is what happens when you eyeball stuff instead of looking it up.

“Frenchy can’t recognize a strike.” FACT: Frenchy is seeing more balls than he did in 2005 or 2006 and nearly as often as 2007.

“Youth isn’t an excuse - see Josh Hamilton” You mean the Josh Hamilton who didn’t reach the majors until he was 26?

“Frenchy needs to FORGET about power numbers and get the average over .300 that will bring the RBI’s up.” - Right, because it’s the Placido Polancos of the world that drive in tons of runs, not .250 hitters like Adam Dunn.

“He swings and misses too much.” - Francoeur is making contact on 77% of his swings, which is the highest rate of his career, ie, progress.

“He isn’t progressing with the strike zone.” - He’s walking just as often as he did last year, when you weren’t calling for him to be benched.

“He strikes out too much.” - His current strikeout rate is the lowest of his career, lower than that of Gregor Blanco, and much, much, much lower than the rate Brandon Jones strikes out at. This has to be a joke, right? People want plate discipline so they want Brandon Jones, who strikes out once ever 5 plate appearances? For serious?

Sometimes fans just can’t deal with slumps, and they need someone to blame, so they take someone who isn’t living up to their own unrealistic expectations - hence the Frenchy-bashing. It’s easy, it doesn’t require much thought, and it makes them feel better. Regardless of whether Frenchy is making progress as a hitter (he is) and regardless of the bad luck he’s had when it comes to balls dropping in (a batting average of .281 on balls in play, when the average is up around .300), he’s an easy, easy target, and when you aren’t willing to really take a hard look at what’s real and what isn’t, the easy targets are the only targets.

By Mark Bradley

June 19, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

My original point wasn’t that Francoeur is having a great year; he demonstrably isn’t. My point was that the vitriol directed his way has been disproportionate, and I believe you folks — most of you, anyway — have proved as much.

By TURTSNAP

June 19, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

Mark you shouldn’t use such big words with this uneducated audience. Lord knows they won’t look the words up to see what they mean, they’ll just assume it means what they want it to mean :O)

By Braves never win on the road

June 19, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Mark He’s dead weight enough said .

By rick

June 19, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

My biggest disappointment with Francouer is that he “seems” to be under-utilizing his tremdous passion and athletic ability by not focusing more on hitting to all fields. Maybe it reminds me of Andruw Jones, I don’t know but it just annoys me to see guys time after time pulling off the ball trying to hit a HR. Look at how chipper will often simply take what is given and lace a single to left with a flick of the bat. Francouer has that tremendous passion to win I just get befuddled at how he can’t see how much more productive he would be if he made a concerted effort to hit to all fields.

By Dean

June 19, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

The reasons I hate Francouer:

-He declined to sign a contract extension like McCann. Guess who his agent is!?!?!? He will regret it.

-The obvious strike zone problems

-The LOB’s and GIDP’s

-The constant horsing around with frat guys in the outfield seats, it’s like he’d rather hang out with them instead of playing.

-Rolling over on pitches that are out of the zone, when the count is in his favor and there was no reason to swing at them.

-Training with college football players? Really? We see how that turned out.

-Local hero? Gross. He’s not mine. He comes across to me like just another spoiled parkview kid who had his way paved and has never been through anything hard. It’s the 21st century. We’d all rather read about and watch a player with some substance and charisma. Not a vacant flashy smiled rich kid living a charmed existence…until now.

-The Francoeur Non-Free Pass Era is exciting for me to say the least.

By Scott

June 19, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Regarding Francoeur, where’s the maturity and growth? He’s shown little progress as the team’s next cornerstone player. He’s undisciplined at the plate and in the field. He’s clueless when it comes to finding the strike zone or the cutoff man. We don’t need for him to carry the team. He just needs to be fundamentally sound when the opportunities arise — and he seems to be finding himself in clutch situtations alot this season. Being from Gwinnett (or Cobb) has nothing to do with it. Nothing seems to change. Today is yet another example.

By Tomy Fournier

June 19, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this

Is not Frenchy…is not Max…is not all the others trash…is the MANAGER AND THE COACH STAFF….PLEASE…LIKE THE “NEW YORK MET”…ALL OUTTTTTT…PLEASE FANS…NOT MORE EXPENSES BUYING “TICKETS”…TAKE ME OUT OF THE ATLANTA BASEBALL’S PARKS…PLEASEEEEE!!!!!!

By Ed Glennon

June 19, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

I am getting very concerned that Jeff will not make the $4 million he expected next year in arbitration. He played hardball with the Braves the last two years and had to settle for $430,000. Let’s face it, a family of two can’t live off $400,000. I bet he can’t afford to drive down I-75 with gas prices the way they are. I do not root for people who think they deserve more money and can’t back it up.

By Tim

June 19, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

I directed no vitriol towards Francoeur, nor did I claim he struck out too much.

All of my posts in this thread were only intended to emphasize these points: 1.Francoeur is well below average when it comes to getting on base, which is more important than any value you people are attaching to RBI and BA of years past.

2.This is not something new. As I’ve stated several times, he has a CAREER .316 OBP. So all of this talk about slumps and returns to statistical norms is nonsense. This is the norm: he has been the worst everyday outfielder in baseball this year, and has made more outs than anyone else in baseball since the day he was called up.

And that’s pretty much it. He’s not a good player; this year he hasn’t even been decent, despite the fact that your paper usually describes him as “great.” that’s it.

Also, I think if you read all the comments, you’ll see much more vitriol and irrational emotional nonsense coming from the Frenchy apologists than the critics.

Don’t know why I bothered responding again, but I was just dismayed at Bradley’s blank dismissal of all the evidence provided in this thread. Something tells me Mark hasn’t watched much Braves this year. He probably also thinks RBI and BA are better metrics than OPS.

By G Roberts

June 19, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Jeff seems to have the same level of maturity as Andruw Jones. I am still a fan of Jeff’s, and have been since he played at Parkview, but I am very disappointed that he has not progressed. Jeff’s progress does not compare that of B. McCann. Someone needs to have a come to Jesus meeting with Jeff.

By Jeff Francoeur

June 19, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

Sorry guys, my agent said guys who take walks dont get the big paydays!
Who Cares about winning! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

By Larry from California

June 19, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

Gargantuan elephantin the room is the Sad Sack of Senilty, aka Brain-Dead Bobby. Where’s it written manager get a freebie pass on seemingly 1-100 record in one-run games? His moves to the bullpen, absolute adventure in terror…Bennett to blow yet another game? Did any experienced Braves’ fan like that bonehead Dead-Man-Walking-Call-to-the-bullpen BEFORE THE winning hit? Does Cox just pick guys ar random? Leave Ohman in the game, he’s been solid all year. Ridgeway to protect a 2-1 lead? Not too sharp, either, but at least he’s new, not yet contending for the 2007 Dan Kolb trophy like Boyer, Acosta and favorite Bennett…. Yeah, maybe Sad Sack is a nice guy, his old-school rules carry weight, but why doesn’t he wear those close- games’ horns? He’s done, finished. Resume, tenure merit respect. But you know Babe Ruth once HR-champ. But how many would he hit now?

By Larry from California

June 19, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

Gargantuan elephantin the room is the Sad Sack of Senilty, aka Brain-Dead Bobby. Where’s it written manager get a freebie pass on seemingly 1-100 record in one-run games? His moves to the bullpen, absolute adventure in terror…Bennett to blow yet another game? Did any experienced Braves’ fan like that bonehead Dead-Man-Walking-Call-to-the-bullpen BEFORE THE winning hit? Does Cox just pick guys ar random? Leave Ohman in the game, he’s been solid all year. Ridgeway to protect a 2-1 lead? Not too sharp, either, but at least he’s new, not yet contending for the 2007 Dan Kolb trophy like Boyer, Acosta and favorite Bennett…. Yeah, maybe Sad Sack is a nice guy, his old-school rules carry weight, but why doesn’t he wear those close- games’ horns? He’s done, finished. Resume, tenure merit respect. But you know Babe Ruth once HR-champ. But how many would he hit now?

By Larry from California

June 19, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

Gargantuan elephantin the room is the Sad Sack of Senilty, aka Brain-Dead Bobby. Where’s it written manager get a freebie pass on seemingly 1-100 record in one-run games? His moves to the bullpen, absolute adventure in terror…Bennett to blow yet another game? Did any experienced Braves’ fan like that bonehead Dead-Man-Walking-Call-to-the-bullpen BEFORE THE winning hit? Does Cox just pick guys ar random? Leave Ohman in the game, he’s been solid all year. Ridgeway to protect a 2-1 lead? Not too sharp, either, but at least he’s new, not yet contending for the 2007 Dan Kolb trophy like Boyer, Acosta and favorite Bennett…. Yeah, maybe Sad Sack is a nice guy, his old-school rules carry weight, but why doesn’t he wear those close- games’ horns? He’s done, finished. Resume, tenure merit respect. But you know Babe Ruth once HR-champ. But how many would he hit now?

By Larry from California

June 19, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

Gargantuan elephantin the room is the Sad Sack of Senilty, aka Brain-Dead Bobby. Where’s it written manager get a freebie pass on seemingly 1-100 record in one-run games? His moves to the bullpen, absolute adventure in terror…Bennett to blow yet another game? Did any experienced Braves’ fan like that bonehead Dead-Man-Walking-Call-to-the-bullpen BEFORE THE winning hit? Does Cox just pick guys ar random? Leave Ohman in the game, he’s been solid all year. Ridgeway to protect a 2-1 lead? Not too sharp, either, but at least he’s new, not yet contending for the 2007 Dan Kolb trophy like Boyer, Acosta and favorite Bennett…. Yeah, maybe Sad Sack is a nice guy, his old-school rules carry weight, but why doesn’t he wear those close- games’ horns? He’s done, finished. Resume, tenure merit respect. But you know Babe Ruth once HR-champ. But how many would he hit now?

By h_charles

June 19, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Vitriol? Check the way Philly treated Burrell. That is too harsh. Frenchy should be better right now. He isn’t. He should be hitting .300. He isn’t. He should have much greater range in the OF. He did last year. This year he doesn’t. He is the future of the franchise. He is supposed to be clutch. He is supposed to be powerful. He is neither. He refuses to negotiate on a contract, holding out for his big payday. Meanwhile, his numbers stagnate. He needs to play better, plain and simple, or at least attempt to be more disciplined at the plate. He needs to take more pitches. Go the other way.
He gets the blame because he is carrying the burden of this team’s future on his shoulders, just like Ryan Howard and Utley in Philly, Wright in NY, Hanley Ramirez in Fla.

He isn’t living up to expectations. Not even close.

By mark

June 19, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

Braves need coaching chages top to bottom..The hitting has been eratic whole season andgiven the talent and potential thats not good..Cox has gotten to be a softie too many buddies on the team..Mc Dowell as of yet really hasnt bought anyone to the level..and there has been a lot of pitching potential ..and we seem to have way to many arm problems..Seems only coach that has had success with projects is Glen Hubbard..I mean that was quite a job transforming Johnson to a quaslity infielder in a short time..I wish Bobby would give the team to somebody like Smotltz next season..and sit back and have fun..just a thought..

By Peter

June 19, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark……..

Perhaps if Frenchy said were are all very disappointed or Mad, we didn’t win today that would be OK, I would appreciate some fire for a change!

BUT to make a comment we are all tired, and ready to go home…….well that sounds like excuses and baby talk to me!

Gee what is are these players making these days, and how many working folk are on the road all the time for on heck of allot less money.

Isn’t this just the first half of the season, they are already tired?

And then to say we need to go 5-1 or 6-0 at home……..Tell me what did they just do at home against the Phillies?

By Andy

June 19, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Mark,

A right fielder is normally expected to produce with the bat. Francouer had great numbers last year, in his sophomore season. Soph season is typically experienced by struggles and growing pains. This is his third season, so from what we’ve seen from him in the past, we expect more. Why shouldn’t we? We are frustrated with .250, terrible clutch hitting, etc. I think we’d be frustrated with any rf hitting like he is now. We’ve had David Justice, Gary Sheffield, and JD Drew out there, and I’d take any of the above over francouer.

I am so sick and tired of him swinging at the first pitch and grounding out after our pitcher has just labored through an inning. I am sick and tired of seeing him overswing and not at least hit the sac fly or hit the ball to right side. His at bats are incredibly predictable now. 3 pitches and a strikeout, or double play. I think we’d be frustrated with anyone doing what he is doing now. He has no idea of the strike zone, and never really has. I think a lot of his rbi total can be attributed to renteria, chipper, and those guys always being on base ahead of him.

Why use age as an excuse? Would you pick frenchy to be in your lineup over any of these guys nearly the same age? JEREMY HERMIDA, DAVID WRIGHT, GRADY SIZEMORE, TROY TOULOWITZKI, MICAH OWINGS, JAMES LONEY, MATT KEMP, PRINCE FIELDER, RYAN BRAUN, MIGUEL CABRERA, JACOBY ELLSBURY, DUSTIN PEDROIA, JAY BRUCE, NICK MARKAKIS. Need I go on? Age an excuse? give me a break.

I think TP and Cox should really be at blame too. They will not sit him(my hs coach was the best coach in the country, and if i was playing like jf is right now, he’d find someone else to do the job).

Send him to the minors where he’d get special attention, do something. This is the major leagues, and if you go through a 3 month slump, something is terribly wrong.

If I kept screwing up in my job for 3 months straight, there would certainly be corrective action!

I haven’t even mentioned how he has developed the range of a sidewalk in right field. If a ball is in the corner, it takes 20 min for him to dig it out. Joe Simpson commented the other night that Blanco never should have gotten to the ball before francouer on a hit to right center. I think he defense is average. His arm is great, don’t get me wrong, but the ball has to be hit right in his direction. I never see any diving or spectacular catches from him, do you?

Were you just trying to score points with the dude with this article? Atlanta writers are too nice. I support the heck out of my team and the players, but enough is enough.

By Old timer

June 19, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

I think the problem here is that Mark Bradley and the ones that are “loyal” to Jeff are mistaken criticism as “hate” towards him. Reading through this post I rarely see “hate” towards Jeff. I see fans that are willing to criticize the ball player because they want better out of him. They want him to perform at his best. I see that as actually caring to be honest with you and in no way do i see that as hate…thats love to me.

I’ve been married over 30 years and my wife criticized me for things and I criticized her as well. That in no way means that I hate her or I’m “hating” on her. I love my wife. I think the fans that came on this blog today have a passion and love for this team that goes beyond one ball player. Their comments should not be called dumb or blatantly shoved aside by the poster of the blog.

By Peter

June 19, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark……

How many folks have said he doesn’t know the strike zone, or is impatient at the plate.

Do you watch the Braves with a seeing eye dog?

By Bart

June 19, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Boo him only if he isn’t trying. I don’t think that will EVER be the case. He is injured and will be the rest of the season. The only expectations I have of him are to be more intelligent with game situations. If the guy batting in front of you walks on 4 or 5 pitches and you are thrown two straight balls, why are you swinging at the next pitch? That’s guessing and it comes with pressing. He is going to be awesome though. I give him a free pass. He’ll come around.

By Greg O.

June 19, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Mark, got it. Give the guy a break. He’s having a bad year, but he’s only 24 and he’s better than his numbers currently show. Fair enough. But Frenchy’s swing hard in case you hit it approach has gotten him next to nowhere this season and he needs to change if he’s going to be successful in the future. He’s failed miserably with men on base this season. He left an Amish village on the basepaths in the last Phillies series. There is such a thing as having the book written on you by this point in a players’ career. That certainly has happened with Frenchy and the pitchers clearly have the upper hand now…

and what’s your point with the Sizemore comment??? others have touched on the difference between a leadoff hitter and one hitting in the five hole. But just to mimic your highly ignorant comment, how many 100-run seasons has Frenchy accumulated? Grady has three to Frenchy’s donut. How many 20-stolen-base years has Frenchy had? Sizemore is well on his way to a fourth straight while JF has none. Leadoff hitter Sizemore has three 20-plus home-run seasons. Frenchy has one. Sizemore walked 100 times last season. Frenchy hasn’t walked 100 times yet in his career (in nearly 2,000 plate appearances). Admit it. You’re so ridiculously off-beat with that comment. But maybe you could befriend Omar Minaya, who, as Expos GM, traded Sizemore, Brandon Phillips and Cliff Lee for Bartolo Colon. I’m sure you could cheer him up by downgrading Sizemore’s accomplishments.

By Mike

June 19, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Francoeur has been coddled since birth. He has a sense of entitlement that is not warranted at this level. He fails in situations time and again because he isnt a team player. The fact that he is pitched the EXACT SAME WAY everytime and he STILL CANT FIGURE IT OUT is ridiculous. Sliders down and away and up and in with 2 strikes. Goodbye, Francoeur. His defense is overrated. He dropped the ball when he had Kinsler dead at the plate. He had the ball before Kinsler rounded 3rd. COME ON. Im so glad he turned down that long term contract McCann signed. Frenchy kiss my a*, Jeff. Signed - 25 year Braves fan.

By Jeff B.

June 19, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t hate Frenchy, nor does any real Atlanta fan. What we don’t like is to see him give away the outter half of the plate and perform so bad in crucial situations over and over. Especially with the bases loaded. There has been alot of constructive vents that make alot of sense. Also keep in mind that all venters are not fans and take cheap shots at the team. Anyway, maybe Cox and Pendelton should vent a little bit. I don’t know? But please don’t say we are Frenchy Haters. Keeping my fingers crossed that things get a good bit better.

By northbeach Scott

June 19, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

One of the things that I have found annoying about living in Atlanta again is this silly insistence on confusing well supported arguments with not “playing nice” or bad manners. Grow up, folks.

Frenchy is not in slump he is a fundamentally flawed hitter who has been able to get by on his raw natural talent (quite good). Now that the league has figured him out, he is unable to make adjustments.

Also, his pitch recognition and plate discipline are amateurish at best. As a Braves fan since 1966 and as a season ticket holder I have a right to an opinion. That opinion is that Frenchy is just a garbage player at this point who have peaked. Not sure if he is just stupid, has a learning disability, or a vision problem, but he needs to find a solution.

By uga-brave

June 20, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

bradley,

i have been b*** about this overated stuffed shirt on DOB’S blog for two years.

for me, i identify him with the fracture of 14 staight division championships.

the guy has a sense of entitlement about him that really does not wash.

he basically got lucky that our corner outfielders were mondesi and jordan, when they needed help.

granted he had a spectacular quick burst, but his .ops has been in serious decline.

he is lucky that the braves have a player’s manager like cox that keeps trotting his below average butt out there.

i think he is stiil believes the hero gets the prom queen. he does not know nor really care how to work a count and be a part of the team.

final question MARK. do the math if golden boy hits say, 7 more hr’s i bet our record is 5 games better.

3 for 19 with the bases jacked.

MARK, you got close to 400 posts, that should answer your question.

By Edo River

June 20, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

We did it to Francoeur. and we will do the same thing to Heyward. YOu can mark my words.

The reasons are obvious. I don’t dislike Francoeur, because I don’t dislike myself. We are responsilbe for the utter failure of Francoeur to go beyond .250 The only thing we can do is start a fan club to encourage him to hit above .25-.260 because that is what he is becoming, just like Andruw. We did it to Andruw too, and Francoeur is just following in the same general path.

By Matt

June 20, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

I’m tired of seeing Francoer being a selfish player. Numerous times I’ve seen Tex or Mac walk in front of him on 5 or less pitches and seen him swing at the first pitch a pop up. That is selfish ball playing. He also has too much confidence in his ability to throw people out now, because he’s constantly trying to throw runners out and he does get some, but he also manages to throw doubles out there. I like him, but he does need to be grounded. He’s not a superstar.

By uga-brave

June 20, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

400,

that’s 400 posts, MARK bet you never got that many before in 18 hours.

time to put the fan’s rancor in print media.

the mob may be fickle but they are not always stupid.

the home grown braves thing really rubbed a lot of season ticket holders the wrong way.

it was cute for a while, but it was a marketing scheme to put butts in seats.

ownership can only wizz in your ear and tell you it is raining for so long.

one last thing, the braves only have two what you would call in their prime years players (27-32) tex and hudson.

the rest are young and somewhat unproven, or old and somewhat past their prime.

the laments of corporate ownership.

WHERE HAVE YOU GONE TED TURNER YOUR LONELY FAN BASE NEEDS YOU. sorry paul simon.

By cityofdecatur

June 20, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

Mark I have never gotten over your article after the second game of the 1996 world series. Never but that’s my problem. NOW I MUST SIDE WITH YOU against all the jerks rippin’ Frenchy a new one. 1) the problem here is the high (unrealistic expectations placed upon this young man when he came up ‘the sports illustrated cover the “natural” crap thrown his way. It is easy to turn on someone that doesn’t live up to the hype! but that is just what it was p r bulls*it. root for the kid don’t rip em too many here are NY wannabe know it all s that always know best and disappear when their solutions fall by the wayside. 2) pass on to frenchy that for years decades baseball players didn’t bulk up in the offseason they limber up stretched got more agile I think the extra weight and muscle has tighten him up and slowed him down. LIGHTEN UP EVERY BODY If given time he WILL find the grove and make up proud no sense cuttin him up for the sake of annoyomous know it alls to have todays answer (tomorrow they will have a different solution) to feel good about themselves and their OPINIONS WHICH AS WE ALL KNOW EVERYONE HAS JUST LIKE A*******HOLE$ AND MOST STINK JUST AS BAD. Frenchy will be ok (kid don’t read the papers ain’t gonna help find an advisor you trust and work at it let the noise float by.) Now theres my blog fart you whiners sniff it and pass out Bradley i’m with you on this one and i’ll forget the 1927 yankees comparison from this day forward

PS fan is short for fanatic in support not degradation of your team. Root Frenchy on don’t rip him a new one.

PSS Frenchy post a picture of A. Jones and cut the portions in have and f*ck the weight room stay limber and you’ll get your step back in the outfield and wear earplugs for the boo birds their are a lot of us pullin’ for you. really.

* AS FOR THE NAYSAYERS AND WHINNERS GET A FRIGGIN LIFE *

By Robert S

June 20, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

Mark, this isn’t “vitriol” we’re spitting out, it’s frustration based on the truth.

And the truth is that Jeff Francoeur is an overrated, under-performing baseball player. This isn’t “vitriol,” it’s honesty. He’s a rally-killer. He’s raw and undisciplined.

While there’s room for excuses when a player is new to the bigs, Jeff should have adjusted and improved by now, and he has not progressed. If anything, he has regressed.

I live in Mobile, Alabama, and the only station that carries Braves games has a very weak AM signal and is only available during day games, so I can only listen to XM radio at night, and only the home team’s games are covered on XM.

So when the Braves are on the road, I listen to the opposing teams’ home broadcasts. And usually, I hear either befuddlement or outright criticism (Ted Lightner of the Padres’ broadcasts or Marty Brennaman of the Reds are two of the more vocal critics) of Jeff Francoeur’s style of play. So it isn’t just us who follow the Braves, and Marty is one of the most respected broadcasters in the business, so his word accounts for something.

Facts are facts - Jeff may be young, but he’s not immune to flaming out early and becoming the next great “almost was” rather than the next Dale Murphy, as he appeared to be when he arrived…….

By uga-brave

June 20, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this

well there you have it, the fans pretty much hate guys that love to talk it but cant walk it.

oh by the way kinsler had not even touched third when golden boy misplayed the ball.

if he fields the ball, johhny damon’s arm would of thrown him out.

By proeye

June 20, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

I think it’s all about expectations Mark. That’s when people truly get disappointed.

This is his third year in the majors: First year we don’t get too excited, second year we figure that the pitchers may do a number on the player, but the third year? Hummmmm… I think that’s when fans start to expect some performance. You had two years to figure it out, now start doing it!

And it didn’t help that all during the off season we got reports that Francoeur was going to have a break out year. Well, that certainly hasn’t happened has it?

Yes, you are right, a lot of the venom has to do with this INCREDIBLY frustrating year. Those one run losses are extremely difficult to take. It seems like it’s one after another. And the team can’t play on the road - at all.

Anyway… I’m looking forward to 2009. This year is a wash. We need to start making trades for young players and building this team up as if we are looking for a championship next season. Yeah, we can hold out that this year will be the one, and the team will suddenly snap out of it, but come on, a little too late isn’t it?

By proeye

June 20, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

I think it’s all about expectations Mark. That’s when people truly get disappointed.

This is his third year in the majors: First year we don’t get too excited, second year we figure that the pitchers may do a number on the player, but the third year? Hummmmm… I think that’s when fans start to expect some performance. You had two years to figure it out, now start doing it!

And it didn’t help that all during the off season we got reports that Francoeur was going to have a break out year. Well, that certainly hasn’t happened has it?

Yes, you are right, a lot of the venom has to do with this INCREDIBLY frustrating year. Those one run losses are extremely difficult to take. It seems like it’s one after another. And the team can’t play on the road - at all.

Anyway… I’m looking forward to 2009. This year is a wash. We need to start making trades for young players and building this team up as if we are looking for a championship next season. Yeah, we can hold out that this year will be the one, and the team will suddenly snap out of it, but come on, a little too late isn’t it?

By proeye

June 20, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

I think it’s all about expectations Mark. That’s when people truly get disappointed.

This is his third year in the majors: First year we don’t get too excited, second year we figure that the pitchers may do a number on the player, but the third year? Hummmmm… I think that’s when fans start to expect some performance. You had two years to figure it out, now start doing it!

And it didn’t help that all during the off season we got reports that Francoeur was going to have a break out year. Well, that certainly hasn’t happened has it?

Yes, you are right, a lot of the venom has to do with this INCREDIBLY frustrating year. Those one run losses are extremely difficult to take. It seems like it’s one after another. And the team can’t play on the road - at all.

Anyway… I’m looking forward to 2009. This year is a wash. We need to start making trades for young players and building this team up as if we are looking for a championship next season. Yeah, we can hold out that this year will be the one, and the team will suddenly snap out of it, but come on, a little too late isn’t it?

By Braves never win on the road

June 20, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

this year was over when Kelly Johnson drop the pop up behind Tex that Friday night .Philles sweep ,next Cubs sweep ,no comeback in this team at all

By captain Midnight

June 20, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this

If you want a guarnteed out just let Frenchy come to bat with the bases loaded. He contributes as much as your absurb predictions do.

By jg

June 20, 2008 2:55 AM | Link to this

braves never win on the road your an idiot, you cant blame the season on Kelly’s drop- errors happen, I dont know if you know that but EVERY player makes a bunch of errors every season, Francoeur SUCKS AT BASEBALL!!

Ron- Its pretty bad when you compare frenchys stats with leadoff guys when he is in the 5 hole, Frenchy’s OBP is the WORST right fielder in the NL!

LETS SETTLE THIS..

Jeff has 45 more at bats than kelly…

both have 39 runs, francoeur has 5 more hits, same doubles same triples, jeff has one more hr, kelly has 11 more walks, same K’s, kelly has 7 more sb’s, kelly has a 50 pt. higher obp, higher slugging, and higher average…

By santa3247

June 20, 2008 4:25 AM | Link to this

Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Jinhae City southkorea now.

In any team and term, the original member exist. What is this original member? Answer is that.

Look! When Yunel Escobar hit game-off homer. Veteran can go out into the field slowly and no problem.

Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, Mattew Diaz, Kelly Johnson, Mark Teixeira, etc did fierce cheer at Yunel Escobar.

So many players friends of Babylon were the army of crusader not player of Braves and wasn’t be cheerful at original player’s game-off HR.

You got it?

Now do you want to expel J.Smoltz, T.Glavin, C.Jones, the original member? for young unverified player? for shortest record? The three star player did reduce salary for team. You got it?

May the force of Messiah be with you.

P.S: Theseday USA made weapon to be retired by the order from Babylon. You got it? Such as, A-10 Thunderbolt, MH-53(Helicopter), etc.

Look! these weapons are menace to Babylon living in korean peninsla. You can check your weaphon’s reliability only through attacking about Neutron. You got it?

Sonar, Radar, Resonance Schumann, High Active Auroral Research Project, are under the Neutron’s influence. You got it?

In U-boat, SS officer was on board. Why? for portable neutron machine’s driving. You got it?

Do you remember the great ability of korean submarine at simulation war in Pacific?

Think!

By Brent

June 20, 2008 6:37 AM | Link to this

Well…

Kinda hard to top THAT.

Does Mark Bradley want us to fierce cheer for Francoeur? I think he does.

By E-9

June 20, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this

Nice fielding yesterday in the bottom of the ninth against Texas there Frenchy.

By Dave Henshall

June 20, 2008 6:52 AM | Link to this

Sir, I’ve been following the Braves since 1966. For years, I’ve seen excessive negatively in Atlanta area media reporting; whether it be directed towards the Braves, the Falcons, or the Hawks. However, I’m pleased to report that your article is a breath of fresh air. Its about time someone stood up for our boys! Way to go sir!! We all should recognize the value of having a home team like the Braves. We need to offer them as much positive as possible and do all that we can to encourage them in their efforts. Thank you for your kind words!!!

By Charlie

June 20, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley is secretly the publicist for Jeff F. (apparently). Jeff is currently the biggest headcase in baseball. He comes to the plate with runners on, and he KNOWS that he will fail. That’s the consistent thing now about Jeff. He is clueless at the plate. He (as usual) cost a run early in the game when he coouldn’t drive in a runner from third with 1 out. (That has been his normal M.O. this year.) His last at bat should have been an easy DP. Only the glove of the Rangers pitcher saved him from another blown at bat (and on a pitch clearly out of the strike zone;) then he goes out in the field and blows a chance at a throw at the plate. HEADCASE. Now he’s babbling in the media about “we need to go home”. Jeff needs to go to the bench, or to “AA” ball. He talks about “kicking some butt on the next homestand”. Great. THEN DO YOUR JOB. Nobody “hates” Jeff. It just gets frustrating when a player almost constantly fails to do his job, hurts the team, costs them wins, and fan are then supposed to given him a pass because he’s a local boy with a nice smile. Jeff and Tex are huge reasons why this team will be (at best) .500. TRADE TEX, and send Jeff to see a sports psychologist.

By ronp

June 20, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

Frenchy is the new Andruw; he won’t listen and won’t learn.

Bat him lead off for a month to take the pressure off and let’s see what happens. Younel is no lead off hitter anyway. Bat him higher in the order and he can drive in the runners that Frenchy is leaving on base.

If it doesn’t work with Frency, there’s always the minors where he can learn the strike zone…don’t forget when Mickey Mantle was struggling early in his career, he was sent down and came back strong..

If nothing works, there’s always the NFL.

By jerry

June 20, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this

He swings at bad pitches. He does not know the strike zone. Apparently he can’t keep a mental picture of the plate while batting…maybe he’s retarded.

By ronald

June 20, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this

Frenchy is nothing other than a young Andruw Jones. If you want to get him out the formula is simple. DO NOT throw him a strike. Throw it a foot into the left hand batters box and he’ll try to pull it. I’m not too interested in hearing about how young he is. Andruw was perpetually young. I mean, you point out this same thing about him and all you heard was “he’s still young.” I give frenchy till the end of this year. If he does not develop some patience by then trade him. By the way, to criticize him is not to hate him. “Hate” is a word that is too freely used these days. If you offer a criticicism that does not mean you hate someone.

As I posted a couple of weeks ago, the problems with this team are to be laid at the feet of management. They knew the entire off season what the problems were and did not address them.

Until management gets serious about putting a big-league team on the field they are the ones who need to be criticized.

By ronp

June 20, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

Frenchy simply does not understand situational hitting…he doesn’t work the count well and lacks the patience to wait for a good pitch when he’s ahead.

It boils down to Frenchy learning discipline at the plate and at some point (perhaps when his weight is higher than his batting average) he will wake up….if it’s not too late by then.

By Glenn

June 20, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Frenchy doesn’t seem to understand that RBI are what wins games. He seems to think that he has to hit 6 run homers every at bat. If he would be more concerned with making solid contact the homers would come with that outlook. He has the wrong mental approach. Maybe he would be better in another city where he is not such a hometown hero.

By tom varacalli

June 20, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

It starts at the top. Cox has been around too long and the Braves need a younger dynamic person running the show. TP apparently has no influence with Francouer (he really looks like a high school kid with the bat in his hands). He even looks and plays slower in the outfield. The bullpen is as shaky as ever and no matter who comes up or goes down the results are usually the same. Under .500 almost halfway thru the season, whats new.

By Arbiter

June 20, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Folks, how many of us did not have any hiccups as we matured? Frenchie will be fine if properly guided and supported and Bobby/et al are the right ones to do it. Don’t react in such a hurry and watch for the change. It will come.

By Cal

June 20, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

I will never understand the Atlanta sports media. I guess it’s ok to take it easy on players who aren’t getting the job done. Regardless of age, if your on the team - you need to produce.

You would think the Mets were 15 games out the way the media and the fans responded to their mediocre performance. Fired the manager even. Guess what? They are now 1/2 game ahead of the Braves.

I guess as long as the media and the Braves themselves tolerate mediocrity , that is exactly what the fans will get.

By Ozzie Virgil

June 20, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

uuuhh, if not Frenchy in RF who then? We watched A. Jones have have a slump season, I think we can give Frenchy some time. Bobby is playing the team he has.

By Soxy

June 20, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

It may be that Francoeur peaked early. In any case, I was tired of the hype about him from the beginning because Brian McCann is the real thing. I also think Francoeur and his twit wife have bought into all the hype about him. His ego prevented him signing a long-term contract with the Braves. That may be a good thing, though if we traded him, I doubt we’d get much for him right now. (Might be worth a try,though!) He is an undisciplined hitter, and I believe it’s beginning to affect his play in the outfield.

By Tom

June 20, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

My issue with Francoeur isn’t his lack of understanding the strike zone so much as it is not understanding team baseball. When it’s necessary to hit to the right side, put the ball in play, bunt, etc. instead of trying to blow out candles along the 3rd base line with every swing. Also, when was the last time you saw him dive for a ball in the outfield?

By andy

June 20, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Francours’s problem is likened to a buch of the Brav4es, swing for the fence no matter the situation. As some others wrote, he must learn to use the plate and as they say hit it where they through it. Too many times he has gone up there and looked like a semi pro at the plate taking wild uncontrolled swings when just putting the ball in play may have helped him get on base. When he is on, he is hitting to the off field and with power. Also, I wonder if the weight he put on and probably from a lot of weight lifting has had an effect slowing his bat down. This may sound bad but I would look at the whole team philosophy at the plate. Too many times the younger pitchers have had games lost due to not scoring runs because of lack of hitting.

By rooterbaga

June 20, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Watching Francouer struggle ineffectually day after day makes me fear he’s on the verge of becoming a self-immolating head case. Me, I dunno what to suggest. Would a long trip to a farm club help him snap out of it? Might make him worse….I was interested to read the comment questioning Pendleton’s competence. Sounds like a question worth raising.

By Phil

June 20, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

I can sum up Francouer and the rest of the Braves problems in 3 words:

Bobby “Moron” Cox

By Fat Aussie

June 20, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

Gosh, so many aspiring GM’s and hitting coaches in Atlanta. And Peter Gammons, eat your heart out. Right, that’s why you’re all doing our taxes or picking up our trash, not on a MLB coaching staff or front office. Were any of you “band wagon” experts around when Dale Murphy started out in Atlanta?? Good thing, or you’d have sent him packing. Check his stats and you’ll see how long it took him to have one of Frenchie’s “less than mediocre” seasons. Let him have his slump and see where he stands at the end of the season. Then I will wash the blood from my hands when you see him sent somewhere else to have his “Dale Murphy” years.

By SCBravesFan

June 20, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

I wish it was as simple as one player but how many players have been left on base by numerous Braves? How many innings have the opponents scored runs because of a defensive miscue or error? I believe the Braves as a whole have failed to step up to the plate with the exception of opening pitchers. I have seen some excellently pitched games fall short because of a lack of offense or the bullpen.

By Tommy

June 20, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

I heard someone say the other day that if the first pitch to Jeff in a plate appearance was in the concession stand , Jeff would swing at it. There usually is always 1-2 good balls to swing at during an at bat , Jeff never see’s them that is what Bothers me the most.

By ADDMedia

June 20, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Vomit!!!! This is why Atlanta SUCKS as a sports town (and I’m a native), all this liberal, emotional BS! If I’m Jeff Francouer I WANT people to be disappointed in me if I’m not performing, thats what a REAL star is like. If he can’t hang here, his career is doomed because you don’t get an easier pass at adulation than here in Atlanta. When people love you, emotions run just as deep the other way when you don’t perform. Everyone here who loves Frenchy are emotionally invested in his success and when he strikes out with the bases loaded for the umpteenth time, the fans feel personally let down because Jeff is THEIR guy. I personally have always thought McCann was the better of the two from day one and he has proven me correct. I do think sending him back to the minors would do him a world of good for his mental approach to the game and remind him that he ISN’T the “Natural” and that he needs to adjust his game. I’d hate for him to waste all his potential like another “Phenom” we all know.

By Harold

June 20, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Everyone can should cool thier tools, Baseball is a game of averages and streaks. When all is said and done the streaks add up to the natural average. In short when the year is done Frenchy will be somewhere around .290, 25-30 HR, and 90 - 100 RBI’s. Let’s cheer him on, he is a funplayer to watch because he knows how to play even if he doesn’t know the strike zone so well. Neither did Yogi Berra.

By lilburnfan

June 20, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

I have watched Francoeur since High School. He’s had a free pass but that was due to being a top talent. That being said, he’s not improving and is killing the team with leaving RISP too often.

Slow down that swing a little, drive balls to right field and be the RBI man. Forget HR’s, RBI’s are more important.

He needs a little perspective so a trip to AAA might get his head straight.

By E for effort!

June 20, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

i cannot believe what i’m reading here. leave francour alone and give him support! he’s a brave and i think he needs our support, not our vemon. good for you mark bradley on writing this article. wake up you fair weather fans and get behind francour. he’s one of the better young players not only on our team, but in the entire league. he’ll be an all-star for years to come!

By Early

June 20, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

ABOUT JEFF F. YES HE IS HAVEING PROBLEMS HITING, BUT I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAVES HITING COACH. THE BRAVES HAS NEVER HIT WITH T.P. THERE HITING COACH AS THEY DID WHEN CLEARENCE JONES (CJ) OR WHEN THEY HAD DON BAYLOR AS THE HITING COACH.THE BRAVES NEED TO GET ONE OF THEM BACK AS THE HITING COACH. BUT I THINK THE BRAVES ARE ALL PLAYING LIKE SQUAWS NOT LIKE BRAVES.BOBBY NEEDS TO CHANGE THE LINE UP. THERE NOT BUT TWO THAT ARE PLAYING GREAT BALL, THAT IS BRIAN MCCAIN AND CHIPPER JONES.

By stats don't lie

June 20, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

You people are complete morons!

Franceour’s Braves stats:

*leads team in games played and at bats. *tied for third in runs scored. *tied for third in hits (with McCann no less!) *tied for second in doubles. *tied for second in triples. *fourth in home funs and rbi’s. *third in total bases.

Give it a rest already —geez!

By Braves never win on the road

June 20, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

I think “E for effort” is JF mama defending her baby boy

By ballgirl

June 20, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe this is even being discussed! Isn’t it obvious? If you want the spotlight (i.e., Francoeur), expect high expectations. He can’t handle the pressure. My hubby and I know that every time Fran comes up with the bases loaded, he’s going to strike out because he wants to be the hero. Since baseball is a game of statistics, let’s see if someone can prove my hypothesis: the more people on base, the higher the likelihood that Francoeur strikes out. By the way MB, I’m not sure where you hear these complaints (around the water cooler is my guess) because, as much as I love the Braves announcers, they haven’t said anything negative towards Franky. The strongest it’s gotten is just recently and that was they referred to F in veiled terms when speaking of Kelly Johnson’s great at bat when he walked after fighting off the pitcher for 11 pitches (paraphrased, “what a great example of how to get on base without swinging at every pitch”), obviously referring to F NOT being a good example). I can’t believe how little has been said about Francoeur’s poor performance. He is swinging at every pitch like he did when he came up. He fixed it for 2 seconds at the beginning of last year but I guess since he bulked up his muscles so much over the offseason, he thinks he can jack every pitch over the wall. It helps if you actually make contact! The polar opposite is Chipper. He is always calm, cool and collected and makes the pitcher give him what he wants. These pitchers are not dumb, Jeff. They know you swing at everything so why not throw you pitches they know you won’t hit? You should be batting 7 or 8 so you don’t screw up everyone else’s rhythm. It’s great that Bobby Cox is a “player’s manager” with his never-ending patience but come on! At some point, someone needs to sit Francoeur down and tell him to grow up. This is not the minor leagues or high school where he is automatically the savior. The truly successful people (read: Chipper) are the ones who can outthink their opponents, not the ones who do it by brute force!

By Fan attic

June 20, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

It is amazing to me how people have no idea of what it takes to hit a 95 mph fastball, how one can sit in the armchair and say how it oughta be done. Hell, half of those offering there “high” criticism of Francouer or any other player for that matter, likely perform at a mediocre level in their jobs, which I would be condident to say are far less difficult to succeed in than baseball

By LivininAL

June 20, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Last year Jeff made some adjustments and had some success using the whole field, now he has gone back to whack and hack. Why not sit him a few and let him work it out. We will not lose any production with someone else in RF. Bobby platoons and does all that stuff, but I think Frenchy has not earned the play everyday status.

By Daybed Wagmoe

June 20, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

My point was that the vitriol directed his way has been disproportionate,

But why has it been disproportionate? Because he’s from Atlanta? Or is it something else?

Francoeur took a huge step last year, raising his batting average about .030 points from the previous year. His home runs dropped by a third, but I personally don’t care at all about that — I’d much rather see the rise in average. But this year, he’s taking a step back and not continuing on last year’s improvement.

Let me clarify that I, along with most Braves fans (I would think), don’t hate Francoeur — his success is the Braves’ success, and when he does well he can help the team win. See yesterday’s game when he got the rbi in the 9th. But for those of us that watch the games regularly, it’s very frustrating to see him CONTINUE to swing at pitches that are so far outside of the strike zone. It’s bad enough that he does so at all, but it doesn’t seem that he’s learning from his mistakes.

By griff

June 20, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Frency’s problems are correctable, give him a break. I predict he will be a super star. He needs to learn to drive the ball to right field and forget about being a home run hitter. I would move him down in the batting order until this happens.

By Glen

June 20, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Frenchy is a victim of his own success. He started out so hot that fans have high expectations. Pitchers adjusted to him, and he made some adjustments, but recently he’s fallen back into some bad habits.

He’s still young, so fans need to remember that he’s still learning. As soon as he learns that he’s strong enough to hit the ball out of any park in baseball and stops swinging from the heels, the batting average will come up and the home runs will happen.

By Phil

June 20, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Everybody is blaming Pendleton. My question to you is, who is responsible for Pendleton not doing his job? Bobby “Moron” Cox, that’s who.

Cox needs to step in and take Francouer aside and say “Listen son, don’t swing at pitches that are 6 feet outside and in the dirt”.

Same thing goes for the teams inability to get the bunt down and advance runners. Galvine is probably the only player on the team that knows how. Again, this coaching. The team is sorely lacking in fundamentals. And that comes from coaching. Only we don’t have any on this team.

By Gerald Barnes

June 20, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

It surprises me how quickly fans pick a player to place blame when the team is failing to meet expectations. Why pick on this one? Jeff Francoeur is a legitimate major league player. To better understand what makes a major leaguer I recommend reading, “The Road to the Big’s” in which Mr. Francoeur is mentioned. (roadothebigs.com) In my opinion, Jeff Francoeur contributes mightily to the Braves’ organization and I hope he stays here for many more years because of his speed, his arm, his free-swinging, but most of all, for his great attitude. The Braves could use a few more just like Jeff.

By ballgirl

June 20, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

E for Effort…do you even watch the games? What is the point of the games if it isn’t winning? You should call yourself “Clueless”.

By BN

June 20, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Good young talent-good kid— won’t be in Atlanta next year — not a star but a good ballplayer in the system—he will give good games and poor at bat games—somewhere in the league he will make some team a solid fit, but not in Atlanta..

By Mark Bradley

June 20, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

So people are mad because Francoeur didn’t sign a long-term contract to stay with the Braves. Some of those same people think he’s overrated and want him to be demoted/traded. Shouldn’t those people be glad he didn’t sign?

By randy ezra

June 20, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

This town is amazing! I have lived here for 10 years now and it amazes me how there is no loyalty to anything. If you want to know why we stink at nearly every sport it is because we are just a bunch of replanted bandwagoners. It is why we have no long term success here. Jeff had a very good year last year and will level out. Give him a break. If you really want to know why the Braves are average look to the payroll and where we are spending our big money. Jeff has some passion, something that this team is lacking in. What this team needs is some fire and a few breaks, one will come if the other does.

By E for effort

June 20, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

to ballgirl:

it’s not all about winning —it’s how you play the game. but you’re such a stupid-head you don’t understand!

By SoWeGa Fanatic

June 20, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Interestingly, for the game yesterday Frenchy’s BA was .333, his OBP was .400, no k’s and 1 BB, plus he had 1/3 of the team’s ribbies. Anyone in the league would kill for that offense every game.

By Carter

June 20, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Where’s Bobby in all this?

The answer is that his greatest strength, his loyalty to his players, is also his greatest weakness…

Where’s the press in all this? Sadly with as fine a sports seection as the AJC offers (and it is far superior to that offered in most other major league cities)the writers and the columnists here have become lapdogs raather than watchdogs…

Forget NYC, check out the major league beat writers in virtually every other city… they are quick to draw focus on the nonperformers. The AJC sports scribes take far too long to question, much less criticize.

The question posed today should be whay it’s taking the Braves so long to recognize and adjust… not why the fan venon. The answer to the latter is obvious.

By ballgirl

June 20, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

E for Effort…

You are the parent who thinks all the kids should get a trophy! That is not real life. This is “the Bigs”. If you don’t care about the winning, go watch a little league game! (Stupid-head? Sounds like YOU are in little league).

By Carl Jr

June 20, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

I just read in the SF Chronicle that the Braves are trying to get Randy Winn. That either means Kotsay isn’t coming back any time soon or maybe the Braves want more consistency in RF. Alas, it’s probably the former.

By Phyllis

June 20, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

All this hate talk about Jeff scares me. Was this much hate talk about Kelly when he dropped the ball that would have won the game and started the Braves into a tailspin?

By Mike

June 20, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

the Braves have lived “by the 3-run-homer” for so long that they don’t know how to hit situationally…everybody but McCann and Chipper and maybe Escobar try to “pull” the ball on every pitch…Frenchy just goes up there hacking and sometimes he actually makes good contact, but for the most part, he is clueless…in the game yesterday against the Rangers, can anyone explain why Blaine Boyer was called on to pitch the 9th? I can’t remember his last successful outing…

By McFann©

June 20, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

tied for third in hits (with McCann no less!) stats don’t lie

Yeah, well…Francoeur’s started every game but one this year (74). McCann’s started 63 games. PLaying all those games, Francoeur would have more hits if he was the “great player” people think he is, don’t you think?

By That's a Big Cow?

June 20, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

I think the Braves are looking to plug LF with Randy Winn. Why go with youth when an expensive thirtysomething might only cost you a couple of future starters?

By estoy2u

June 20, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Sometimes there seems to be an adjustment period within a marriage and professional performance….he’ll come back, it takes longer for some.

By Horner's Corner

June 20, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

So the other night Frenchy comes to the plate and my wife casually says, “I bet they start Jeff off with a slider low and away, but he’ll be sitting dead red and he’ll miss it by a foot. Then they’ll show him the desired fastball, but it will be too high and too tight. Jeff will swing anyway. Finally he’ll have his beloved 0-2 count and he’ll know the slider is coming again, but he won’t be able to resist the temptation even though it’s two feet outside.” I may be paraphrasing a bit, but the point is even my wife knows how to pitch to Francoeur.

Some posts refer to how young Jeff still is, but from what I see this may be his biggest asset. Many of his hits come on awful swings where is fooled badly, but his incredible athleticism allows him to adjust enough to get a hit. As he gets older and his reactions slow just a little, he will not have the ability to make these split second corrections. That’s exactly what happened to AJ. His athleticism always allowed him to make the adjustment and so he never bothered to correct his bad mechanics. When he reached 30 and his reactions slowed a little, he became a routine out.

Shorten the stride, shorten the swing, keep your head still and drive the ball to the gaps.

By ballgirl

June 20, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Phyllis,

Kelly hasn’t had the hype and thus not the high expectations. That was also an isolated incident (a bad one, yes); he hasn’t had as many severe valleys as Francoeur. He started off his career with the Braves with no hits in something like 30 at bats but his hitting now is acceptable (.278; Francoeur is .258). What is interesting is that they have the same number of strikeouts this year (51) but KJ has a higher average. That means he has a higher OBP: .352 compared to Francoeur’s .303. Kelly knows that, if he is patient, he can still get on base, even if it is not via a hit. Pretty amazing difference!

By Kelley

June 20, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

I’m not a bit surprised at all the negativity being expressed toward Frenchy.
I also get frustrated with his inability to get the big hit with bases loaded, I can barely watch anymore when he comes to the plate with bases loaded. That being said, I remember that he is young and I also see his potential. I truly think some “fans” out there just can’t wait to complain and criticize any little things the Braves do, or don’t do.

As a huge Bobby Cox fan, I’m simply amazed at how many people are always on his case and don’t appreciate how great he is.

Of course, many of you think that Bobby should handle Frenchy differently than what he is. That he should bench him, move him down in the line up (didn’t he do that yesterday?), or just publically humiliate him and stop “coddling” him.

If you bench him, exactly who do you put in his place? We barely have enough warm bodies to sit on the bench with all the injuries.

Bobby will never criticize him in public either.
Leadership 101-never demoralize the people you lead in public. Any person actually IN leadership with an ounce of sense knows that. I’m sure Bobby is concerned and is doing everything in his power to help him. That’s what good coaches and leaders do, guide and lead people when they are struggling.

Hopefully, Frenchy will turn it around. If he doesn’t, the Braves may eventually let him go.

As for Tex, I think he has the Scott Boras Hex on him, seems like any time we have a player represented by him in their contract year, they have a terrrible year, wonder if it has anything to do with him? Now Boras is someone I will direct some venom towards.

By Carroll

June 20, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Frenchy is an easy target because of his ridiculous swings, poor OBP, strikeouts, etc. In fact, someone above referenced Dale Murphy…if anything, Frenchy looks like the Murphy of 1989 and 1990, hopelessly flailing away at balls he had no chance of hitting.

But I believe that Frenchy is more a symptom of the problem, than the problem itself. To me, the problem with frenchy and indeed the entire team has always been Bobby Cox. Think about it. Over the years, we’ve seen countless different players come through, at least a half dozen different hitting coaches, etc. And through it all, the result is ALWAYS the same: An enigmatic offense that can’t seem to muster anything up against good pitching.

You see, the extent of Bobby’s coaching/philosophy is basically to encourage batters to go up there and “go get ‘em, kid.” What the hell kind fo strategy/coaching is that?! In fact, he and Schuerholz were the architects of the “quality at-bat” statistic. This is basically a stat that encourages and rewards the types of habits that frenchy and Andruw Jones exhibit. Basically, you go up there, swing real hard, put some good wood on the ball, and if you do that—hit or no hit—Bobby and the Braves put the same value on that at-bat as they would a walk or a base hit or homerun. Nonsense!!!

Players should be coached about making adjustments and putting the ball in play and hitting it where they ain’t, and hitting where they’re pitched, taking walks, taking HPB….basically, do ANYTHING to just get on base. It’s amazing how all the other stuff seems to fall in place when you take that approach. That was EXACTLY the approach of the Yankees dynasty of the late 90’s.

Instead, we always do the same things….make hay against the lower tier teams and pitching, but always dominated by the better pitchers with the same appproaches. Basically, pitchers that can throw hard with sink will dominate the Braves 9 times out of 10 because they are never coached on how to change/adjust their approach. it’s sad really.

It’s not to say that you don’t want homers or hard base hits, etc, but you can’t go up to bat with that mindset. You go up there looking to play small ball, and if the opportunity to do more presents itself, you take advantage.

Folks, it is high time for a new day in Atlanta!

By ballgirl

June 20, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Love the post, Horner’s Corner! Scary thought about him getting older!

By Skeezix

June 20, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Yes, Jeff at 24 is an adult, can vote, serve in the military, yadayada, but that has nothing to do with learning how to hit major league pitching. Unloading Jeff would be as big a mistake as unloading Jermaine Dye was. He is going to be a good one.

By JAS

June 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I have been a Braves fan since they moved to Atlanta. I really like the fact that the team has drafted many good local players. Jeff is getting worse as a hitter this year, however. He showed such promise last year with his approach to hitting and now how regressed to his old style trying to hit for more power. Now he is not hitting for power or average. He should follow any advice Chipper will give him and try to immulate Chipper’s approach to hitting (or even McCann’s for that matter). I hope he can improve and be a core member of the young Braves for several years to come. If not, let’s go with the speed of Anderson, Blanco or Shaffer in the outfield for the future.

By Bravesfan4evR

June 20, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

I’ve been a huge fan of Frenchy’s since he came up. He has been a huge fan favorite period. BUT, he has to start producing. I used to look forward to every time he came up to bat a couple of years ago, now i just hold my breath! (just like when Andrew used to bat) He needs more discipline at the plate! Lets all realize that Terry P. just doesn’t do a very good job as a hitting coach! Bobby is great at a lot of things but how many times have we seen him stick with player,or pitcher, way too long. Just because TP was a good player for us doesn’t mean we have to keep him on our coaching staff. Maybe give him a job like Ron Gant or Brian Jordan!! Everyone on the team is accountable, even the “superstars”. So if they don’t get it done, make a change Bobby! I have to produce at my job everyday!!!

By Squire to Knight

June 20, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

I think the problem is that he is trying to hard, wanting to do more with his contract situation up in the air. Look @ Texiera and A. Jones. Same thing. Contract in limbo, numbers went way down. If I was Frenchy, and wanted to keep playing with ‘Mac’ and the Braves, I would sign whatever contract management put on the table. Then I guarantee his numbers would go up because he would not be pressing as much.

By Colleen

June 20, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Hey, if he put the birdie in your ear to cry about the ‘wude bwaves fans’, send his sorry butt to Chicago! They will (and should) make mince meat out of his sorry butt! He sucks! He isn’t worth the payroll, and he sure isn’t worth the batting spot. The Chicago media and the fans would straighten him out fast. Braves fans and media are too nice to this guy..and the rest of the sorry players on a sorry team.

By jerry

June 20, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Jeff thinks too much and tries too hard. From all of the advice he has received his approach to hitting is “what mistake will I make this time with the strike zone”. I am old enough to remember Yogi Berra and his strike zone—anywhere that his bat could reach the ball. Jeff should go back to hitting his strike zone and ignore all the barbs—just make it worse on a highly strung, talented athlete. Jeff, relax and play your game.

By Tony Dobson

June 20, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

I really don’t get some of the hate for TP here. The team isn’t struggling the way it did when Merv Rettenmund was hitting coach for instance.

We’ve got a pretty productive infield, including Escobar and Johnson. The woes of the outfield go with some their natures, i.e. aggressiveness.

Remember Shea Hillenbrand and his aggressive streak when he came up years ago? He was taken advantage of until he went through a spell of taking just about every first pitch. I’ve got higher hopes for Frenchy than Hillenbrand’s career, but I wish he would take a first pitch more often, just to change things up a bit. Even Andruw Jones managed to keep his bat on his shoulder on one significant occasion.

By atlbravesfan44

June 20, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley, Please don’t compare Francouer to Sizemore. There’s a lot more to the equation than batting average. In Sizemore’s first three years, he increased his OPS, improved his plate discipline, and stole a lot more bases. The man has an .862 career OPS to Francoeur’s .772. That’s quite a large difference considering he’s only a year and a half older than Frenchy (and was a better player at a younger age). Yes, he had a down year last year, but leads the Indians in OPS this year (.900). As for 100 RBIs…when’s the last time a leadoff hitter reached that point, especially with guys like Shoppach (.298 OBP) and Gutierrez (.294) hitting (or not hitting) before him. In spite of that he’s still on pace for 93 RBI’s…OUT OF THE LEADOFF SPOT!!!! WITH NOBODY ON BASE WHEN HE COMES TO THE PLATE!!!!!

Frenchy doesn’t need to be sent out and probably doesn’t deserve to be benched (until Kotsay comes back), but he should defnitely be hitting eight in this lineup, with Blanco (.370 OBP, 3 BB from leadoff spot in 9 PAs) hitting leadoff and Kelly or Mccann at #5.

By chuck

June 20, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Part of it is we watched Andruw degenerate to unrecognizable at the plate over the past 2 years.

We’ve watched Frenchy change his stance like Cal Ripken since last summer…open up stride, close stride…he is uncomfortable. We have also watched his power numbers slow to a crawl. He has no identity. It may be affecting his fielding, having added the muscle.

I hold T Pendleton, Bobby, and ultimately the Braves system methodology responsible for the incomplete hitters we are seeing at the ML level. Drafting and developing is always a strength with the pitching, but with hitters, the only home grown guy we’ve had who could do it all is Chipper, and he is pretty much self-taught (with the help of Larry Sr.)

Examine that folx, and tell me I’m wrong.

By BossLady

June 20, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Francoeur has not been treated the same as other Rookies were treated.

He is a local fellow and admired by the hometown. There were other players during his time that were traded or sent down who I believe could have surpassed Francouer.

The scouts and critics said it best last year. He will make his numbers in homers and RBIs but it will be the ugliest site to see.

I’m glad the Braves did not sign him a long contract like McCann because he is not worth it.

By Juan Pablo

June 20, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Other than Chipper and Brian, the whole team has terrible batting setup and execution. Open feet and closed shoulders— How can you adjust and make a decision in 2/10th of a second?

By Juan Pablo

June 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Other than Chipper and Brian, the whole team has terrible batting setup and execution. Open stance/hips/legs and closed shoulders/upper body— How can you adjust and make a decision in 2/10th of a second?

By Juan Pablo

June 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Other than Chipper and Brian, the whole team has terrible batting setup and execution. Open stance/hips/legs and closed shoulders/upper body— How can you adjust and make a decision in 2/10th of a second?

By Juan Pablo

June 20, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Other than Chipper and Brian, the whole team has terrible batting setup and execution. Open stance/hips/legs and closed shoulders/upper body— How can you adjust and make a decision in 2/10th of a second?

By gus

June 20, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Other than Chipper and Brian, the whole team has terrible batting setup, discipline and execution. Open stance/hips/legs and closed shoulders/upper body— How can you possibly adjust and make a swing decision in 2/10th of a second with that setup? Then go swinging under the ball and at every low and outside pitch— even my eight year old can predict what the hitters are going to do.

By braves70

June 20, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

I for one would like to defend Terry Pendleton. If only we could remove that old carcas of a manager Cox and let Pendleton run the show, I think we would see vast differences. Pendleton is not afraid of getting in someone’s face and telling them that they stink. He cannot do that as coach on Cox’s staff. All he can do is offer advice and I am sure it eats him up inside when idiots like Francoeur refuse to listen.

By MT Braves Fan

June 20, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Francoeur’s setup has changed at the plate over his career. The way he stands and swings now, he is tying himself up on virtually every pitch, eliminating his power. What’s more, many seem to notice, but he never makes a change. I think, given the contracts that both he and Tex are going to command in the near future (Tex this year, Frenchy in a couple) that they should focus the money on Tex and trade Francoeur while he still has at least some value. We’d miss his arm, but with Anderson, Jones, Blanco, and Schafer, we have enough outfield depth for the future anyway.

By Bravesfan4evR

June 20, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

And whats the deal with Hampton anyway? lol, is he ever gonna pitch again?

Lets hope Tex and Frenchy start hitting soon, in our weak division we should be able to contend!

By Lee

June 20, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

I don’t think folks around here hate him. He is overrated and if we can get a better bat in the lineup then we should. It’s that simple.

By jjb

June 20, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Francoeur needs to take the outside pitch to right field especially with base runners at second and third. He is reminding me of Andrew which is really upsetting. He is trying to hit a home run every at bat. Not productive.

By Nathan

June 20, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Jeff has started off slow the last two years and still has lead the braves in RBI. Also at the end of the year he will have a 100 RBI.

By Nathan

June 20, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Jeff has started off slow the last two years and still has lead the braves in RBI. Also at the end of the year he will have a 100 RBI.

By ChrisfromSacramento

June 20, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Jeff, TAKE A PITCH!!!

By Bravesfan4evR

June 20, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Braves70—It is good to see another opinion of TP as hitting coach. I am only assuming that he is the problem. It could very well be Cox-but hard to tell unless you are involved in the organization really. I like Bobby, but am starting to think maybe this team needs a change. Cox will bring you the same consistentcy day in and day out, but heck, at this point, i’d almost be willing to have 2 bad then one great season that some new blood might bring. Look at the marlins-that haven’t had near the talent we have but have more world series rings than us the last 15 year. That is sad! But hard to get rid of Cox- I love the guy. C’mon Frenchy- relax up at the plate and make the pitchers work!!

By Bravesfan4evR

June 20, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Braves70—It is good to see another opinion of TP as hitting coach. I am only assuming that he is the problem. It could very well be Cox-but hard to tell unless you are involved in the organization really. I like Bobby, but am starting to think maybe this team needs a change. Cox will bring you the same consistentcy day in and day out, but heck, at this point, i’d almost be willing to have 2 bad then one great season that some new blood might bring. Look at the marlins-that haven’t had near the talent we have but have more world series rings than us the last 15 year. That is sad! But hard to get rid of Cox- I love the guy. C’mon Frenchy- relax up at the plate and make the pitchers work!!

By Dean

June 20, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

I love Frenchy as R-Fielder and as a human being….but his wild strike outs are too frustrating. He’s been in the league too long. He’s not “getting it”, and what makes it worse is that B-Mac (All-Star) IS and that is making Frenchy look minor league. We expect more from Frenchy and he’s just not giving it to us.

By Will

June 20, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

First off yeah Frenchy swings too much and needs to be more patient. But hes not the problem. Its Bobby Cox, he leaves our pitchers in too long and over works tehm. Looka t Boyer yesterday or Acosta, etc. they need the hook when tehy get in ttrouble not after they blowthe game I mean cmon lets be real.

By Season Ticket Holder

June 20, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

I think we should give Frenchy the chance to be real home town hero - let him play in Gwinett next year! With runners in scoring position the guy is an EASY OUT for any better than average major league pitcher.

By the Truth

June 20, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

If number 7 was not Jeff Francouer, good-looking, Parkview High hometown hero and instead was Pablo Dominguez from Anywhere, Puerto Rico his !@#$ would be on the bench or back in the minors. Now that he has proven he is not even a serviceable RF (see final play from last night’s game) then there is no reason to keep him on the team….oh wait, he does sell alot of $30 “7” T-shirts….well nevermind….lets keep him, its about money not wins!!!!

By Tony

June 20, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

One of my favorite quotes was from Billy Martin - “It doesn’t take any ability to hustle”. I take that to also imply that effort is what matters. My issue with Francoeur has nothing to do with his production (minimal as it may be) but more WHY he has failed to become a better player. We are talking about someone who doesn’t seem to WANT to get any better. Players who excel find ways to gain the most from their abilities. This includes discovering and working on the weaker parts of your game. As far as I can see, he has one tool - a strong arm. For him to be even an average outfielder, he has a ways to go.The Braves spent a #1 pick on him, so they obviously thought he had talent. Maybe he just really isn’t that good. But back to effort - I read somewhere where someone thought he may be playing tired? I’ve been 24 - I don’t know anyone that age who was tired from anything. It certainly isn’t from diving for balls (it’s possible he has done that - I’ve never seen it) and it’s an adventure when a ball goes into right field. There are many overrated ballplayers around; he just happens to be one on this team.

By salty dawg

June 20, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

• “I read somewhere where someone thought he may be playing tired? I’ve been 24 - I don’t know anyone that age who was tired from anything.” *

Tony, Come on man. I’ve been 24 too and at the time I was working, going to school, and getting smashed nightly. But all of that doesn’t even come close to what MLB players endure throughout a season. Think about the travel alone. Even at 24 I was wiped out by a trip to the left coast and back. Factor in with that practice, strenght & conditioning, and playing 9+ innings of baseball 28 or so times a month. Reality check - you and I and most likely nobody posting here has any clue what a drain it is to be a pro athlete. And think about the mental aspect of the game. When you are struggling there are 30,000 plus people watching in person and untold thousands watching on t.v. Have you ever had to deal with that type of pressure? Have you ever had a blog dedicated to the fact that you aren’t performing up to your potential? I just think people should keep a bit of perspective when bashing a guy who is likely giving it his all and will likely connect the dots some day in the near future. Hopefully when he does he won’t be playing for the Mets or Yankees.

By Dwayne

June 20, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

I just hope that Frency is not above being instructed and can be taught to make changes. Andrew Jones tought he was “too good” to take advice and now he has a one-way ticket out of the league. Frenchy is young and talented, but he needs to grow up start living up to the potential, or he will find himself and Andrew talking about glory days in somewhere besides the ballpark.

By Dwayne

June 20, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Has everyone seen the TV show about Frency’s childhood? His dad punished him one time for lying and Frenchy said how much of a lesson it taught him and how much respect he had for his dad doing it. Mabye his dad needs to step in and give him some advice and maybe a little butt chewing, because Bobby Cox sure won’t.

By Tony

June 20, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Fair enough on