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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2009 > February > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA toughened Francoeur looks forward
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — It was a different Jeff Francoeur who took the field Wednesday for the first full-squad workout of 2009. He’s thinner. He has a new swing. Mostly he’s different because he bears a layer of scar tissue.
Last season hurt him. In one flailing summer the Golden Child learned the harsh lessons he’d managed to avoid in the first 24 years of a remarkably charmed life: That fame is fleeting; that people are fickle, and that the child’s game he plays for a living is actually a bottom-line business.
“My first two years [as an Atlanta Brave] were nothing but a fairy tale,” Francoeur said. “But fairy tales end.”
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Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
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By bravesfan
February 19, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
He’ll be fine unti he starts listening to Pendleton.
In all seriousness, his getting 20 lbs+ off will go a long way too. He’s much better as a gap hitter than as opposed to trying to be a 40 HR guy. He’ll be fine, and this may be his best year yet.
Pendleton must go.
By Bearcat
February 19, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
He just might be the surprise player of the year. I think he will be hungry and will give it his all. He will be just FINE in 09 if he will just get his mind set not to swing at any 0-2 & 1-2 pitches. Wonder what his average was last year when he was behind in the pitchers count??
By Alex V
February 20, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
Francouer is looking forward? Good, cuz looking back is frightening. He was the worst right fielder in MLB last year, and possibly the worst player, when you look at how much playing time he got. Hopefully Bobby has him an a very short leash.
By office space
February 22, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
Right now all you can give him is an A for effort. But the best thing he has going for him until he produces is that he’s a homegrown favorite. I don’t mean that in a derogatory manner just that he has a wave of fans behind him that I hope gives him one less huge distraction to move forward.
By Poorjeff
February 23, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this
1st he’s not my homegrown favorite. Not even in my top 150 players. We all know Bobby’s love for Frenchy, letting him play last year when he couldn’t hit the East Cobb little league. He is a damn Joke ! Should be in AAA……..trade him for Box of balls and 10 bats.
By bernie
February 23, 2009 6:09 PM | Link to this
Frenchy has to earn the respect of Braves fans again. He’s the most impatient player at the plate I’ve ever seen. I hope he has figured it out this off season but I don’t have much respect for him at all. All the whining about being sent to the minor leaque last year. The Braves should have left him there and maybe he would have really figured it out.Prove you can hit and I’ll change my mind and give you some respect Frenchy. GOOOOO BRAVES!