Braves

By ernesto

April 25, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

It’s too early to give up on Frenchy, but it’s not too early to be platooning him, or at least batting him 8th. He’s hitting that .184 pretty high up in the order.

By Sam

April 25, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

If Furcal was still in the leadoff spot and creating havoc on the bases Frenchy could, perhaps, get out of this by hitting second. Theoretically, the pitcher would want to throw mostly fastballs and mostly strikes with Fookey on first. But, alas, Fookey is in LA-LA land, Giles is batting leadoff and Frenchy looks destined for 8th in the lineup or…gulp…the bench. As usual, Bobby will stick with him but he will eventually have to make a move.

By JG

April 25, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Frank the tank will come out of it, he’s got to. If he doesn’t, we’re screwed.

By Kieran(Long Island Braves fan)

April 25, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

A few questions…

First off, what to do with Betemit once all three infielders are healthy? Is tehre any possibility of him playing over marcus Giles at second Base if he continues to struggle? Also, with Prado and Betemit both looking like viable options at second base, is a Marcus Giles trade possibly in teh near future? I Know Bobby Cox personally spoke to Shurholtz on Giles behalf when it was rumored he’d be traded for Hudson, but trading Marcus right now might not be a bad Idea to pick up pitching or a real leadoff hitter.

Also, you speak of problems with frenchy, is there a possibility they could trade for an outfeilder or an offensive player to either split time with frenchy or langerhans, or if a big time guy, langy and frenchy split time together.

I think the number 1 priority is to get a guy who can close games, whoever that may be, because Chris Reitsma is a pretty decent set up man but he is NOT, i repeat, NOT A CLOSER. Remember he blew a save against SOUTH AFRICA!!!

Thanks a lot.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

dob, it’s worse than this journalist realized. talk about a rally killer … last year it was fun to see francoeur coming to bat, now it’s painful. if francoeur does sit for a time jimmy smith does not wish to see first baseman brian jordan converted back to right field. the rumor is that fleet of foot eddie perez is coming back to play the of. imagine that one. now, cheese … cheese is everywhere in wisconsin. vending machines at the airport dispense cheese. you can get drive-through cheese (no, atlantans - not drive-by cheese- there’s a big difference). best of all are the cheese head hats at the stadium. now, little sausages … there is no truth to the rumor that chipper will be in the little sausage race tonight. imagine a sausage-related injury and the amount of time required on the dl to come back from such an injury. now, bobby cox … skipper is working on a lineup with no hitter batting over .220 … guess what? he can do it!

By Marc

April 25, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

The frustrating thing about Frenchy, is his refusal to learn, and change. Only one other guy in baseball can have success swinging at everything, and that is Vlad Guerrero. Vlad is one of a kind. I just can’t believe that Bobby and TP haven’t told Franceur to take some pitches. I mean come on figure it out, I wouldn’t be upset if Frenchy took the first two pitches of every at bat. How could the results be worse. At least he could see some pitches, and get an idea for what a pitcher is going to do. Major League pitchers are not stupid, they know he never walks. Why would they throw him anything straight, he swings at everything. If you look at all of the successful hitters they all have a good eye, Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, etc., these guys only swing at their pitches. Even a fellow sophmore like Ryan Howard, a slugger, has a good eye. Check out his numbers they are solid. It’s frustrating, Frenchy is a major league hitter, he needs to adjust. I don’t think he will ever hit his way out of a slump swinging at everything. He may get hot for awhile, but the balls he hits will not always find a hole. The Braves offense has been terrible but lets give them a break, when you loose your 1,2, and 3 hitters it’s hard to be succesful. When everyone is healthy, Frenchy should be moved to the eigth spot, which would take the focus off of him. Let him figure it out at the bottom of the order.

By the way no one should be surprised by the Braves starts or their recent struggles(besides the injuries). Everyone knew about these problems in Spring Training, and very little was done about it. Reeksma, has been inconsistent, everyone knew we needed a closer. The bullpen has been good in spots, but somewhat inconsistent,everyone knew this. Sosa has been terrible, he pitched in the WBC and got overweight, obvious. Laroach has been inconsistent and a strikeout king, knew this goign into the year. Giles is not a leadoff hitter, so far a low .200 average. Frenchy,people worried about a sophmore slump and the fact that he doesn’t walk, that has been happening. All of the Braves struggles were predictable, (save for the early struggles of the rotation). I hope the Braves can put everything together, and hopefully JS can make the right moves to help, because inconsistent play like this, isn’t going to beat the Mets this year.

By T 2 the D

April 25, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

Frenchy needs to go up there and bat left handed. Drop down a bunt, take a deep breath, steal second. Get his smile back. Seriously, needs to move his hands forward thus shortening his stroke and move up on the plate. T.P. you listening?

By T 2 the D

April 25, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

Frenchy needs to go up there and bat left handed. Drop down a bunt, take a deep breath, steal second. Get his smile back. Seriously, needs to move his hands forward thus shortening his stroke and move up on the plate. T.P. you listening?

By JMar

April 25, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

Platooning Francoeur is absolutely not an option - the only way he’s going to improve is by playing. I wish we could send him to AAA, a level that he has skipped entirely and could be extremely beneficial for him. But the saving grace is Francoeur’s defense, which will be far superior to anything that Jordan and Diaz could provide. Were he an average defender with an average arm, I expect he’d be in Richmond right now.

By Rodney Derrick

April 25, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

Sad to say this, but even with a Bobby Cox and his incredible patience managing, Frenchy would be on the bench by now if he did not come from Atlanta and have his fan base. It is time they let Langerhans play every game and give Diaz more chances to hit. He has shown he can play left, and Langerhans is very good in all three outfield positions.

By john

April 25, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

Francoeur will come out of it. You can see how hard he is trying by the look in his eyes. Give a time. Trade Chippie and keep Betemit, he’s younger and not as stupid.

By Aaron S

April 25, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

An aggressive hitter is one thing…an undisciplined hitter is another. Watching Frenchy hack at everything between the on-deck circles is brutal. I can’t believe TP & Bobby believe the answer is allowing him to air-condition Turner Field. No pitcher in MLB is dumb enough to throw him a strike - well maybe one or two. Let Brian McCann’s dad have him for a couple of weeks - or even Chipper’s dad for that matter.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith is in wisconsin - land of cheese, many, many opportunities for a cheese sandwich in milwaukee. in deference to doc, jimmy smith has tried for better habits and longer life. today, journalist tries lite-cheese on sandwich. ugh, tastes like paper. had to wash down with extra root beer. cheese tip: let cold cheese warm up for about half an hour before eating to allow the flavour and aroma to develop. now, more cheese … turnbow was throwing ninth inning cheese last night. now, seal … baby seal is still incarcerated but cooperating with authorities. hope to have baby seal back as soon as faberge egg passes. lonely journalist will keep you informed. now, beer … much beer in milwaukee, too. beer is available in many taverns - not root beer, but b-e-e-r. another famous journalist is frequenting taverns to find favorite beer - has not informed jimmy smith as to favorite just yet. 4:00 blitz will tell story each day in milwaukee. now, baseball … bobby cox has chipper back tonight so lineup cannot possibly be as bad as last night. look for jordan at other infield positions beginning soon - ability to create presence and boost morale, “hey, babe, hey, babe, hey, babe … ” . almost too much morale last night as jordan cannot catch up with major league fastball, or hit change, or field position.

By Carroll

April 25, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

Something has to be done w/ Francouer. He has become all but an automatic out. We can’t have that in the middle of our order and expect to keep pace with the Mets. What about Diaz in right and Langy in left everyday? I’m tired of seeing Langy sit on the bench. Dude needs to play every day. You wouldn’t bench Brian Giles against LHP would you? Or bench Moises Alou against RHP…..Langy is the equivalent of those guys in my mind and needs to be in there daily. Diaz hould be serviceable in right until we can trade for a Craig Wilson or someone of the like.

By Alan

April 25, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

David, if the Braves had a viable replacement at Richmond or Mississippi (like KJ and Frenchy last year), I wouldn’t hesitate to send Frenchy to AAA. He’s hurting the team, as well as himself. He won’t admit it, I’m sure, but he has to be psyched-out right now. Problem is, who can replace him? Maybe a trade is on the horizon. While we’re all making fantasy deals for D. Willis, why not include M. Cabrera as a “throw-in”? Better yet, why not take a shot at Ichiro? It’s easy to second-guess now, but last off-season, I was hoping the Braves would have dealt for Juan Pierre. They really could use a spark at the top-of-the-order.

By noel malone

April 25, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

Okay, let’s everybody calm dow. Let’s get Giles, Renteria, and Chipper back in the lineup this weekend, drop Frenchy down in the order, and give it 2-3 weeks. We we don’t start winning, send Frenchy down and try to find a decent RF somewhere.

By Steve

April 25, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

He is 22, shut up, he will be GREAT not even fine…… .260 BA 25-30 HR 75-85 RBI…….ONCE AGAIN……..19 GAMES IN!!!! Give the TWENTY-TWO Year old a break…..As he told me the other day when I said “Dont listen to the BS Jeff, you’re great just keep the confidence” …..His exact words back…. “I’m gonna keep giving it %110 and I know I’ll be fine.”

He will…

By Chop Chop

April 25, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

Francoeur could be the greatest right fielder of all-time and not make up for hitting .184. Defense is great, but you have to at least get major league production from the position. The Braves do not have enough guys they can count on in the lineup to make up for Francoeur’s lack of production.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

chop chop is right. the lineup is not strong enough (pitching either) to overcome an automatic out every time the kid comes to bat.

By greg

April 25, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

i would trade him and find some players that know how to swing

By Chop Chop

April 25, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

Carroll, are you nuts? Langerhans isn’t the “equivalent” of Moises Alou or Brian Giles. Giles is a career .301 hitter with a .413 OBP. Alou is a career .299 hitter with a .369 OBP. Langerhans hasn’t even played a full 162 games in the bigs yet. Even so, you’re absolutely correct about the need for him to be in the lineup everyday. The Braves simply don’t have the luxury to platoon Langerhans if Francoeur is hitting like a pitcher.

Since you mentioned Craig Wilson, I just wanted to mention that he is playing first for the Pirates since Sean Casey literally broke his back. Casey will probably be out until early June (not that bad of a broken back, I guess), so the Pirates would be hard-pressed to trade Wilson.

By Nicholas Irwin

April 25, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

I’m not in favor of doing anything drastic with Francoeur yet, but not changing anything like we’ve been doing the whole year now is completely retarded. It’s almost like we have our heads in the sand about it or something. How could it possibly hurt giving him a day or two off? And for the love of all that is holy, please please PLEASE move him down in the order. It is mind-boggling to me that we haven’t done this. Bobby has always moved guys around in the order when they are struggling, just to give them a different look. Hell, he moves guys around in the order when there’s no reason to whatsoever, seemingly just for the hell of it. Why in God’s name has Francouer batted in the exact same spot in the order the entire year? It is absolutely insane. If our normal lineup is in, Francoeur should be hitting eighth. If Tony Pena is in the lineup, Jeff should be hitting seventh. I’m not in favor of sending him to AAA or benching him permanently, but at least mix it up a little bit. This is getting ludicrous.

By Casey Storm

April 25, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

I like Franc the Tank and he will be a star in this city like Dale Murphy was… BUT, he needs to be sent down to AAA to get his confidence back and to learn a little plate discipline. Take the medicine now and it will pay off in the long run.

By Cody

April 25, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

Move Fancoeur up in the order to give him protection. put him infront of Laroche in the 5th spot, he’ll get more to hit that way like he did last year

By Jman

April 25, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

The Craig Wilson ship has already sailed. We should have got him when we had the chance. While he may not be great I’d take him 10 times before I’d Brian Jordan. The Pirates wont trade him now that Sean Casey has proven what everyone in Cincy thought all along, he’s fragile. Injured all the time, so Pittsburgh found that out the hard way. Wilson’s playing everyday for him now.

I think Francoeur will eventually figure it out. I believe the first course of action should be to bench him for about 3 or 4 games. Let him come back and go from there. But if he would continue to struggle I dont think it would be a bad idea to send him down and let him spend a month or two in Richmond though. But in the interim what would we do in RF? Diaz surely isnt the man for the job. And we all know how old Jordan is. Craig Wilson although not great could be servicable in Right or Left. Still wont happen though. Pirates need him now. I know Kevin Mench is always on the trading block in Texas.

It’s not time to panic over the Braves just yet, but it may be getting close. Sure Renteria and Chipper are coming back, but both injuries could be nagging all year long. Not to mention Chipper’s frailty. Jorge Sosa I would say has one more chance to prove he can pitch this year before he’s moved to the ‘pen. Horacio Ramirez has been on the DL for 3 weeks. Smoltzie has pitched great 1 game, decent 2 game, terrible 1 game. Hudson was great 1 game, close to decent 1 game, and terrible in 2 games. Daves has pitched very well 2 straight games. Last year’s phenom Francoeur dont know which way the mound is anymore. Andruw is in a mini-slump. Giles is hurting.

By FANMAN

April 25, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

OK…everyone’s got their opinion so mine won’t matter a hill of beans anyway, so here goes….didn’t this kid come up abit early last year because of no other options…if bobby had it his way and the way it should’ve been, wouldn’t frenchy had spent most of last year at AAA with only a few appearances at the big club to get aquainted…when the “BABY BRAVES” revolution took over last year it was great…but it was definitely not the norm for a sports team…poor Jeff was branded as the new face of this team for the future..now the braves are stuck with a guy that needs some AAA swings, but they’ve printed his face all over the billboards like he’s albert pujols or something…what to do…what to do?????

By Mark

April 25, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

Cox is patient and is going to hold the fort as long as the Braves are withing shouting distance of the Muts. Francoeur is going to get his chance to play his way out of this or play his way too Richmond. Y’all drink plenty of beer , cause I think we are in for another month of this dodo. The real problems will remain unsolved and this team will implode if they even reach the playoffs.

By Nicholas Irwin

April 25, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

Alright, move him up in the order. Fine…whatever. Just do something different than what we’re doing. Something. Anything!!! That’s all I’m saying.

By Jman

April 25, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

IT’S THE MEDIA’S FAULT!!!

By Ace

April 25, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

Steve take a deep breath, you’re still too excited from having a little conversation with Francouer. Yeah he’s 22 but that doesn’t excuse him from his ineptitude at the plate. The fact that he is so young means that there is plenty of room and time for improvement. So while it would be stupid to trade him, it makes total sense to do something in the short term.

But maybe it would be good for him to sit for a few days and clear his head, maybe the platoon situation as has been mentioned. I think we ALL agree that he should move down in the order when playing.

And, changing veins, please can we figure out a way to get Betemit in there most days even when the infield is healthy…..

By Ace

April 25, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

Up in the order, eh…. you know its interesting that when the Padres moved rookie Josh Barfield up to 2nd he went on a tear. But, then again, he doesn’t swing at every pitch he sees either.

By bris

April 25, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

I believe he needs to be put down in the order too. Also why platoon Langerhans and take his bat out at all. He is clearly the best of the three kids.

New subject can we not get Wilson B at first base. Bob Ueker said LaRoche was one of the toughest outs in baseball last night on Radio and I almost spit up. For him to hit the ball with that uppercut is purely accidental. Play Wilson every day and he will certainly have more 20 homeruns and a far superior on base percentage.

By Jman

April 25, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

STUPID SPORTS ILLUSTRATED PUT HIM ON THE COVER, EVERYONE FROM ATLANTA TO BRISTOL, CT. WAS SINGING HIS PRAISES. I’m sure the AJC was big on him too.

Way to freakin’ go guys! O’ Brien deserves most of the blame.

Way to go DOB! It’s all your fault!!! Or maybe it was Global Warming?!?! Or maybe it was the gas prices, Or maybe even it was President Bush’s fault. Hmm….intersting! I think we should launch a full on investigation into it.

Just trying to lighten the atmosphere. I know I helped create the jump-ship mentality a few posts ago. It’s early yet. Things looked much more bleak last year and 2004 at this time. Go Braves!!!

By Chris Chambliss

April 25, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

I agree with the wise man who pointed to TP and Bobby on Jeff’s love of hacking. TP - I would love to see you tell him before his first at bat of a game “do not swing at the first 2 pitches.” How’s he gonna figure anything out hacking and looking like a fool? Hell, his head is pointing towards left field before he starts his swing — he looks like a moron out there!

I say it’s time to start platooning his a*, and maybe giving him a couple nights off — in a row.

Come on John — pull off a big trade!!!

By Ben Sutton

April 25, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

Frenchy will be fine. I do think Pendleton needs to be a little more involved, though. That is what his title is, right?

By mista don't play

April 25, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

Francoeur getting his eye back is exactly why you have three levels of grooming below the Big Show. He might need some swings in AAA to get his eye back. Thing is, nobody to call up in his place. Dare I mention an early season trade? I’m not serious. Stick with the kid. You know his potential.

By DHD

April 25, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

It won’t hurt for him to go to Richmond like almost everyone else has. Remember Brad Komminsk, old timers?

By Tomahawkin

April 25, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Give the dude a break, he hasn’t even played the equivalent of a full season in the pros yet…However I would like to see T.P Be more involved as well, Hell have him drop and do fifty push-ups everytime he chases the first pitch that isn’t a strike, JK

On a more serious note Why in da he!! aren’t our coaches particularly Roger McDowell and T.P. More hands on with the players during the games, like Don Baylor and Leo

It must be their philosophies or sumptin…

By Bob

April 25, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

DOB, why didn’t you warn us that you were going to address this issue so soon? I’m crushed! All of my great comments appear in the last few Blogs … and, a lot of thought went into them too.

hk, For what it’s worth …

I think that I commented a while back that Larry’s interview caused me to revise my opinion of him … I don’t recall my words but I remember that the interview made me hopeful that he had finally turned the corner. At the same time, I somehow felt that maybe, like some teachers helped struggling athletes maintain eligibility, he was given the questions before the test.

I guess, down deep, I’m too full of Lady MacBeth’s “Milk of Human Kindness”. (For those unfamiliar with the Bard; that’s not suggesting that I’m good … just that I’m too much like everyone else.) When I relly want something … I see what I want to see and hear only what I want to.

It’s too bad that some people’s bad traits are more like the Leapord than the weather … subject to change.

Chipper’s not one of Baseball’s Bad Boys but he’s not a member of my 3 digit club either. I liked the wild eyed Rookie a lot better than the wise old seasoned veteran of 34. He’s proud of the fact that he’s never been on a losing team … and when he thought he was, couple of years back, he sure looked alot like Jeff.

Maybe the most Classical thing about the WBC was Chipper’s comments. If I were the Francoeurs, I think I’d be more than a just little worried when Chipper gives his “not to worry, I’ll look after him” speech.

Jimmy’s looking for “P’s” … well, Larry’s return to the lineup should present no problem in that regard … Pampered, Pompous, Prima Donna … are just some of the Possible P choices … but, Mama likes Chipper ans says to be nice.

I like most Rookies … and aging Veterans … maybe because of the “Miss Minnie” in them, I’m not sure. That’s “I just so proud to be here” Pearl, not Quartz Milk.

While agreeing with Bobby’s “one-ata-time” even keel approach, I think that some of the fellows misunderstand it … and few, if any, have Bobby’s uncanny ability to properly combine that with competitive fire and boyish enthusiasm. God blessed Bobby with a touch of genius! But, it seems that trying to follow the Skipper’s good advice may have turned some of the kids into old men before their time.

Jimmy’s “Oh man, what a game!” coupled with some of his more “serious” moments shows him to be a lot like Bobby!

By EB

April 25, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

PLEASE, let’s get the kid a better nickname than “Frenchy”. He deserves better than that. It’s awful and has terrible connotations of weakness and surrender…he’s no cook, he’s a freakin’ major league right fielder who needs a tougher nickname.

By Tomahawkin

April 25, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

Also I Think Frenchie maybe scarred from the limited Spring Training resulting from that fiasco called the WBC…Thaks a lot Dud Selig

By Andy

April 25, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

If we have the regular line up—he will get more pitches. His defense alone will keep him playing everyday—he will end up batting 6 or 7 through the year(as long as we don’t get anymore injuries). I would rather have Macan hitting 5th or in Laroach’s spot—edgar hitting leadoff. But that is just me.

By Andy

April 25, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah—there is no tough call—my thoughts he will go no where but out to right field everyday. Slump no slump. EVERYDAY

By Chop Chop

April 25, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

Leo really wasn’t that good with young pitchers after the Braves started having a lot of success. Sure, he helped Glavine and Smoltz out, but Smoltz had a freakin’ sports psychologist coming to his starts when he was just starting out. Maddux was already a Cy Young winner when he showed up in Atlanta. Avery’s best years came at 21 and 23 (18 wins in both seasons). As an aside, isn’t it amazing at how quickly Avery’s career fell apart? I know he had injury problems, but it’s just startling that a pitcher whose career began so well ended up being out of the league at the age of 29. When he was 33, he made a comeback in ‘03 with the Tigers and won a couple of games, but that was the last time he pitched in the big leagues.

Anyway, the starting pitching no longer seems to be the problem. It’s the hitting. At the risk of sounding like Rumsfeld at a press briefing…is it Terry Pendleton’s fault? Probably not. Is it the injuries to Chipper, Giles and Renteria? Golly gee. Probably so. When the Braves get all of those guys back, the team should hit better and, if we’re lucky, find a happy medium in their pitching and hitting.

By Jim from TN

April 25, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Just like Billy “Downtown” Anderson in the movie Major league 3. Billy also thought he was hot stuff, until he was sent back down only to learn a valuable lesson from “quantum leap” star Scott Bakula. I think we all could learn a little something from scott bakula.

By Tomahawkin

April 25, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

I just don’t like seeing The likes of Frenchie, LaRoache, and McCann trying to pull the ball all the time swinging for the fences

OT Watching the Marlins Last nite I think they are going to be a thorn in our side, especially down at Fort Lauderdale. Has anyone seen that Reggie Abercrombie kid? that dude is raw, reminds me of a young Raul Mondesi

I used to like LaRoche’s swing in 2004 when he first came up…but after seeing it for so long it pains me to see him go fishing

Makes me appreciate the Sweet swing and eye of David Justice…

By Miles

April 25, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

whoa whoa whoa….whats with everyone suddenly wanting Giles to be traded? Unless Schuerholz is certain that he can get a top tier closer than Giles SHOULD NOT be traded. I dont care what Bettemit’s stats are right now, Giles is the 3rd or 4th best hitter on our team and an all-star 2nd baseman. If he cant continue to hit lead-off then you bump him down to 2nd in the order where he’s more comfortable and you put Renteria in the lead-off spot.

Ideally, if the braves had a higher payroll it would have been nice for them to acquire Juan Pierre to be the lead-off hitter and then have Renteria bat 5th where he would provide excellent protection for Andruw.

LF Pierre 2B Giles 3B Chipper CF Andruw SS Renteria RF Langerhans C McCann 1B LaRoche

what a lineup that would be….if only…

By Sir Stealth

April 25, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

Love the doom and gloom, fellas.

Who would have thought that people would actually be asking for Francoeur to be traded less than a year after he got called up in the first place? Are you serious? Also, did someone say that LaDouche would actually offer “protection” for Francoeur if they switched places in the order? ADDam couldn’t protect anyone in our lineup these days if he was guarding them with a castle and a moat. The guy is more into the letter K right now than a redneck with some spare white sheets lying around the house.

The probability of Giles being benched in favor of Willy B is about as high as trading Francoeur right now. However, I do agree with everyone who really wants to see Betemit get into the everyday lineup. Sticking him at first seems like more complete wishful thinking though. Chipper at first would make more sense with his injuries, but I see very little chance of that happening. The bad news is that we will probably have enough nagging injures for Wilson to play plenty.

Langerhans has earned the right to play everyday, in my opinion. I don’t think there’s any way that he shouldn’t have pinch hit for Diaz last night in that situation (or started in the first place), mini-slump or not. I think Diaz has a pretty ugly swing and ain’t really that hot.

I would probably move Franc down to 8th in the order at this point. I think its still too early to bench him or send him down, but we should minimize the damage while it continues. That being said, I always find myself joining in the criticism of individual decisions that Bobby makes, and I always feel stupid in the end because his thinking always comes through in the long run. The guy just has a wider (and more correct) perspective that is harder to see when moves here or there seem questionable.

By Tomahawkin

April 25, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this

Miles, that crap happens every year, Dat (exepletive) gets old( Just like everyone wanted Andruw Traded, and there are some people who still want chipper traded). I wonder where some of these people come from….

I just ignore it, just like everyone is thinking we can land Dontrelle Willis and Roger Clemens…

I have baseball fantasies like seeing CoCo Cordero here closing games, but at least it ain’t a longshot

Clemens will go back to Whinebrenner before he comes here, so wwe need to kill that mess…

By bobby's boy

April 25, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

Bobby has fiqured out a way to win 14 straight titles. I think that he has earned a little leeway on how to manage this team, decide which players to play where and advise the GM on who he wants to keep and who he wants to trade.

Being in 2nd place a few weeks into a 162 game schedule is no big deal. Patience boys, Bobby will bring this team around.

By Penn

April 25, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this

I believe at least half of Francoeur’s problem is in his head. He has enjoyed success at every level until he hit the real big time. He has no clue how to handle this and he is too hard headed to listen to anyone.

Clemson wanted him real bad and so did the Braves. He is saying to himself, “if all those people wanted me how can they be wrong?”

He apparently refuses to listen to his coaches or Cox and he is hurting the team. Platooning is not going to help him since he has not been hitting either right handers or lefties. He is hitting no one.

A trip to Richmond is perhaps the only choice and he should be told, “when you learn where the strike zone is located we’ll bring you back. However, if you continue doing what you are now doing we will never bring you back. Go up there and learn to hit. We need your glove and arm but we don’t need your bat the way you are misusing it now.”

By Penn

April 25, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

Here is a post I put on the last blog about the sale of the Braves. I did too much work on it not to post it.

Good grief, is no one reading the facts? I guess not.

Fact 1. Arthur Blank was born in Queens, NY and came to Atlanta when the first Home Depot was opened. He’s not exactly a native although he has adopted Atlanta as home. I would still like for him to buy the Braves but if he does he is going to buy them with a sharp eye on the bottom line. He would be nuts not to and he is surely not nuts.

Fact 2. Corporate ownership is not necessarily a bad thing. The Braves have been CORPORATE owned for ten years and have won the division each of those years. Was that bad?

Fact 3. The key factor and probably the most important constant in this 14 year reign has been the management team of John Scheurholz and Bobby Cox. This year they are fielding a team that is costing their company about $78 million. That compares with the Cubs who are also corporate owned and are spending $94 million for players. And who would trade the 40 man Brave roster for the 40 man Cub roster? I say none of you would.

Oh yeah, before someone challenges my numbers I know the Braves payroll says $92 million but $14 million of it is being paid by their insurance company for Hampton.

A bit of realism here. Of the top 10 payrolls how many of them are corporate owned? Here is the list. You decide.

NY Yankees 198,662,180 Boston 120,100,524 LA Angels 103,625,333 Chicago Sox 102,875,667 NY Mets 100,901,085 LA Dodgers 99,176,950 Chicago Cubs 94,841,166 Atlanta 92,461,852 Houston 92,101,503 San Francisco 90,862,064 I don’t know who owns them all or what connections the owners may have with corporations.

If you really want to see some surprises when it comes to baseball and politics you can click on this link and see who gave to which party during the 2000 presidential campaign. http://www.opensecrets.org/alerts/v6/alertv6_32.asp There are some real surprises in there.

By Voice of Reason

April 25, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this

The only real option for Franc right now is to simply drop him to 8th in the order. The kid has to develop plate discipline and the only way to do that is to play. He won’t be sent down because the PR backlash would be brutal to both the club and to Ballpark Franc. (I absolutely refuse to call him Frenchy.) A couple of days on the pine wouldn’t hurt, though. I believe he’ll come around, the question is “When?” My BIG question now, though, is: when Chipper, Edgar and MG are all back, where does the club’s hottest hitter go? To the bench? For the love of all that is good and kind, please find a lineup spot for WillyB somewhere! I feel certain he could play 1B and he’d be a heckuvalot more protection for Andruw than LaRoche. Druw’s getting nothing to hit right now… Heck, would you pitch to him with LaWhif coming up?

By geauxbraves2000

April 25, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

I want Francoeur to bust out of this also, but truthfully he’s been in a funk since August of last year, and he shows no signs of breaking out, with the exception of a game or three. I know the Braves don’t want to give up on him, but sometimes a trip back to the minor leagues will wake up a player and make him realize no major league roster spot is guaranteed. If he doesn’t want to work hard (learn to take some pitches), there are a hundred more guys who will. IMHO.

By Rob

April 25, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this

Once again I reiterate, we are the worst fans in the country. Do you think this stuff happens in St Louis? My guess is they stick by their guys in slumps. Hell even in New York they give the occasional standing O to boost the guys confidence. It’s APRIL you tools! Relax and enjoy it. They will win it again. The Phillies blow, Marlins blow, Nats blow and the Mets are our BIATCH! Remember this conversation we are having today when Frenchie is hitting .260-.270 in July with about 20 bombs. Hell he may even see a 3 ball count by then.

By bobby

April 25, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe some the idiots that post here. Regardless of what they think, every player they want is not available foaming at the mouth wanting to play for the Braves. Also for all of the Chipper Jones bashers, Who has done a better job for the past ten years or so and who do you think the Braves could get to replace him?

By doc

April 25, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

the answer is a question: how long will it take for betemet to learn how to play right field?

let frenchy sit a bit and have the game slow down a bit for him. ultimately, he will do fine but much longer and he will embarass himself to the point of no return.

By Voice of Reason

April 25, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

To “have the game slow down a bit for him” is exactly what Ballpark Franc needs. As I said earlier, a couple of days on the pine wouldn’t hurt. I would venture a guess that WillyB could probably handle LF, but that’s only a guess. I sure hate taking his bat out of the lineup…

By Andy

April 25, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

Sir Stelth if you were speaking to my comments about BM batting in Laroaches spot—I just like BM as a better situational hitter—-he makes more contact—and when he does make an out—generally they are productive outs.

By Voice of Reason

April 25, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

I’d hate to be called “BM”…

By Miles

April 25, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

the stupidity by some people continues to amaze me. “trade chipper and play bettemit at 3rd”. wtf???? Yea, lets have a lineup full of singles hitters. Im sure Bettemit could protect Andruw in the lineup for the entire season [sarcasm].

By geechee

April 25, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

By Steve

April 25, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

He is 22, shut up, he will be GREAT not even fine…… .260 BA 25-30 HR 75-85 RBI…….ONCE AGAIN……..19 GAMES IN!!!! Give the TWENTY-TWO Year old a break…..As he told me the other day when I said “Dont listen to the BS Jeff, you’re great just keep the confidence” …..His exact words back…. “I’m gonna keep giving it %110 and I know I’ll be fine.”

I just wanted to reprint the above post from Steve in case anyone might have missed it since it is the best one on here today.

By Voice of Reason

April 25, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else find it ironic that we have lost playing time from 3 out of 4 infielders, and LaWhif was the only guy left standing? God does enjoy a cruel joke now and then…

By Scott

April 25, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

He never even played a full year at AA. He’s 22 years old and was rushed last year because of injuries. He was heralded as the savior and now that he’s slumping as a 22 year old that has never played a full season at AA he’s being torn apart by his “fans”. Some players can’t make the jump from basically high A ball to the majors. Brian McCann has but he’s a REALLY gifted player with a good eye and great defense. People were all over Frenchy last year but McCann is going to be the anchor for the next decade in Atlanta.

By Voice of Reason

April 25, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this

I’m leaving now. Gotta go get some pie. GO BRAVES!!!

By doc

April 25, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

geechee, sometimes a guy needs to sit to get it out of his system. it has helped a lot of ballplayers including roachy last year who came on to be the best hitter in sept and oct. its called pressing in spite of frenchy’s denial i imagine he is feeling it. no dramatics to send him down unless he is still looking lost in july.

a bit of an edge for a poet like you with all the dense lettering dude. have the trade winds stopped blowing out there or have you been sent back to the land of midnight in the garden of good and evil?

By Bob

April 25, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

Penn, as some of my earler posts were intened to convey, I believe that your analysis of Jeff’s problem is definitely on target … and I have great difficulty in calling it a slump.

My only problem with your post is the “… believe at least half of Francoeur’s problem is in his head” part. You’ve never been guilty of understating things and I was mildly surprised when you started so doing.

I also considered reposting some of mine … those about Jeff … but reconsidered … figured maybe God was trying to tell me something and it’s better that not too many people see what I said.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

perhaps he is a frank served on day-old bread. perhaps he is an overvalued franc. he is hyped like frank zappa, hits like anne frank. let jimmy smith be frank, franoeur is not hitting enough to be high in the lineup. frankly, journalist thinks bobby will drop him in the order before long. jimmy smith agrees with voice of reason about the nickname, bm. if andy uses it again we must have a frank discussion with him.

By Sir Stealth

April 25, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this

I agree with those who cannot understand why Braves fans would want Chipper traded. He’s only been our MVP and franchise player his entire career. What gives?

People are definitely having a problem with a grass is greener mentality. To read some posts, our infield should be Salty, Prado, Escobar, and Betemit, with Chuck James and Anthony Lerew as our go-to starters. Maybe get some James Jurries in the outfield. I know that the idea of prospects can be exciting, especially after what happened last year, but proving yourself in the majors actually does matter. Of course, as soon as a newer players starts to slump (e.g. Francoeur, Orr), even after proving themselves somewhat, its time to toss ‘em out.

Wild trade ideas and position changes also seem to be all the rage. I have done no research to back this up, but I seriously doubt that Betemit has played in the outfield in his entire career. I will even call myself out as guilty for wanting him or Chipper at first. We have Jordan doing the position change thing and he has been a liability on defense (while bringing little to the table on offense). I know that there are players like Craig Biggio who have been exceptions but players are generally gonna be best at their actual positions We aren’t gonna get any of these great fantasy trades or a Clemens signing done either.

By Sir Stealth

April 25, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t disagree more about defending Liberty Media’s corporate ownership over the potential of Arthur Blank. I know Blank wasn’t born here, but he’s certainly an Atlantan now, has been for a long time, and has done a lot for the city. He has shown with the Falcons that he does in fact take pride in creating a winning team for the city. The guy doesn’t feel he has to choose between making money and winning, and with his talent, he’s probably right.

The only reason we have kept our streak of titles since Time Warner took over is that we have had exceptionnal personnel from Schurholz and Bobby all the way down running this ball club, developing talent, and then winning with whatever we put together. The cut payroll has hurt us plenty, and there is a significant chance that new corporate ownership trying to get rid of some stocks tax-free is gonna keep that hurt going or make it worse.

Of course, its hard to know what’s true as far as the likelihood of Liberty flipping the team over to Blank after they buy it at this point. Who really knows.

By ncscoots

April 25, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

what IS it with the folks who are so down on Adam LaRoche???? The guy’s on pace for a 30hr-90RBI year, plays near-Gold Glove defense, what else do you WANT from this guy??? And people calling for Betemit to play every position but pitcher??? Sheesh…if I didn’t know better, I’d think the blog was laced with herb…

By Sir Stealth

April 25, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

I would also like to agree with those who want to get rid of the nickname “Frenchy” forever. I personally and sincerely apologize for any times that I have lazily used this in my posts and will not do so again. Franc the Tanc isn’t that great but its better, as is anything really. I’d actually say that coming up with nicknames is one of Bobby’s weakest traits, even though he certainly likes them plenty. Gilly? Rochy? eh. I miss Señor Smoke, Crime Dog, the Big Cat, etc.

By Carolina Lady

April 25, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

I remember when Andruw was so very young and with the big club. I remember him and Randall Simon returning late from a visit home and getting to sit the night out on the bench, then receiving a good tongue-lashing (in private)from Cox.

I also remember when young Andruw had a little case of ‘too much publicity’ and wasn’t giving his best effort. Cox yanked him in in the middle of the game.

Andruw learned from his mistakes, matured, and look what we have now. I’ve never met him but I’m personally very proud of him.

The point is that Jeff has had too much too quickly and has temporarily lost his focus - a la Andruw. Bobby knows his players and knows what each one requires.

None of us know what conversations have taken place, what instruction has/has not been given.

And we also (should) know that Bobby will not let one player bring down the whole team. I have my own personal thoughts as to why a certain very good player is not on the current roster: he has to distance himself from his past a bit more and Bobby has him ‘meditating’ on this out of the spotlight. If the lesson is properly learned, the young man will emerge not only a better player, but a much better person. Just my take on it.

On another subject: this story on mlb.com really touched me, just wanted to [share it.] (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060424&contentid=1415977&vkey=newsmlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb) Read the story, then click on the Vinc Scully link and listen.

By Carolina Lady

April 25, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

Well, I sure messed up that link, didn’t I? :-)) I’ll try again….. link

By Bobbymahlon

April 25, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

Ok lets start by hitting Frenchy 8th in the lineup until he shapes up . If not do not put him on the bench because that will not do any good. He has got to work on his pitch selection. If I was a pitcher I would never throw him a strike because he is getting himself out on ptches out of the strike zone. Maybe he has got to go down to the minors where somebody can work on his problem because it looks like our hitting coach here is not helping him. What bugs me is that he appears to be a smart guy so why doesn’t he correct his problem.Another problem with him is that he uppercuts every thing trying to hit it out of the park.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

I apologize if I’ve too critical of those trying to help Jeff during these difficult days, regardless of what I might think of their efforts … and those knowing me would tell you that I’m sincere.

Something that I just saw on the Internet made me realize that … and just how lucky we all are to have the DOB Blog, inspite of the frequent Temper Tantrums!

The “BTK” killer is getting a lot of privileges in prison as a reward for “Good Behaviour”. Evidently he’s reformed and now wants his own Blog … they aren’t saying, but It wouldn’t surprise me if he thinks that, as a seasoned veteran who’s been there and done that, he might be able to help some of the young ones with their struggles.

Yes, it does take a sick mind to make the connection … but it’s not that much of a stretch.

By geechee

April 25, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

No doc, the tradewinds are doing just find out here as I hope you are. It wasn’t my post, I was just reprinting Steve’s post because I liked it and wanted to make sure everyone saw it. I totally agree with your post but many on here are not like yours. Many are attacking the kid like he is the enemy and he is simply a kid in a slump. You are right, maybe he needs to sit. Maybe he might need to go to Richmond for a fe weeks but that will be the last thing that Bobby tries. I just agreed with Steve, in the end the kid will be great. Chipper is one of the best hitters in the game when he is healthy and he goes through a slump almost evey year. Almost all of them do. Take care, aloha my friend.

By John Hoar

April 25, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

About pay-roll. Both numbers keep popping back up- either seventy-eight or ninety-two million. As I understand it, seventy-eight is closer. That was derived from a combination of insurance from Hampton and the fact that the Red Socks are paying some five to seven million of Renteria’s salary. I don’t think we are getting all of Hamptons covered or that would put us way below the seventy-eight figure. Someone out there-is this correct?

By John Hoar

April 25, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

Boy, I really goofed. I know it’s Sox, not Socks. Sorry. By the way, Carolina lady, I liked your thoughts on the situation.

By LeTwan Anthony

April 25, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

Pie? Raisins is having some pre-game pie. That is a good sign for tonight’s game. If more people ate pie this would be a happier and more productive blog. As for Francoeur, LeTwan knows he has demonstrated real potential but he is currently a liability at the plate. If he’s not going to change maybe Bobby will drop him in the order where he will cause less harm.

By Carolina Lady

April 25, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

Evenin’, John. Thanks for your kind words, sir! :-)

By Nicholas Irwin

April 25, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Rob, I guarantee you the message board of every professional sports and major college team in America looks about like this one. There’s the fans who always thinks that if it doesn’t work two days in a row, it should be immediately changed. There’s the guy who thinks the manager or coach is a complete dimwit and cannot be convinced otherwise. There’s the guy who constantly is saying that things will work themselves out in the end and that everyone who is hand-wringing about the current state of affairs is an idiot. The current player that is having a slump is constantly getting trashed. From going on message boards for my favorite teams in other sports and looking on other teams’ message boards just for fun, I can tell you that we are in no way special in this regard.

I mean, I doubt Cardinals fans would get on Pujols, but then, we stopped getting on Andruw Jones when he became MVP caliber too, didn’t we? Atlanta may be a bad sports town, but the group of people who are true fans of the team aren’t really different from the true fans of any other team, from what I can see.

By geechee

April 25, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this

John Hoar, I think you are pretty close to being right. The Braves total salary on paper at least is just over $90 million but, this does not take into account that the team should have been reimbursed 2/3 of Hampton’s $14 million plus salary and whatever the Sox are paying of Renteria’s. Renteria’s salary over the next three seasons is around $26 million of which the Sox are supposed to pay $8 million but I am not sure how that is broken down. Taking for granted that it is in thirds that means you can subtract around $12 million for the two of them off of the original total salary which would give you the $78 million total salary that you mentioned. The Braves can whine that they they are paying the 90 but in truth our total salary for this team this year is $78 millon.

By TennesseePaul

April 25, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

DOB: Stoked on this Blog. thanks man. It’s a nice break from ownership/roids debates.

I think Francoeur can come out of this. But I question how long it will take him. I hope it is a short amount of time. So far it is lasting for quite a while and as a championship team goes, this is leaning towards the unacceptable end of the spectrum.
I don’t think Raul got this much time (when spanning the two seasons). I despised Raul and was terribly upset to see his face with an Atlanta Uniform. But, he still had a great arm, though he didn’t look as at-home in the outfield as he did in his early years. Anyway, my point is, defense is the only thing keeping Francoeur in there every day. Diaz has been solid, but he certainly isn’t as good as Francoeur. But, when it’s only defense and a sub Mendoza line batting average I gotta wonder why the kid isn’t benched. Raul was released with a slightly above the mendoza line average and servicable defense (equally powerful arm). Langerhans was benched for having a string of oh-fers. Why is Francoeur getting all the playing time?

I see Bobby switched out Langerhans because he has been, how was this put, “whiffing at everything lately”. But Francoeur has been far worse and he’s getting more playing time. If they wait to long, the damage will be even more worse. The sooner some action is taken, the better.

Francoeur doesn’t need to go to AAA, but he shouldn’t be in the line up for a few days. He needs to get his head straight. He did great right out of the gate in ST after seeing no playing time in the WBC. Maybe he needs a break so he can come back fresh again and be on fire.

By Chad

April 25, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

We’ve got plenty enough offense with or without Francoeur. He’s young. He’ll come around. With the start he had last year and the guys we have out of the line-up, he’s pushing to hard to be the go to guy. Not to mention, he went to the WBC and rode the bench. He would have been better served playing a full spring training. What I’d like to see is a pitching staff, moreover the bullpin pick up the slack. I’d even like to see maybe the “D” Train come in from Florida. Then you could put Thompson in the pen for some stability and have a bad-a* lefty in the rotation between Hudson and Smoltz.

By JT

April 25, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

Drop Frenchy down to 8th, maybe sit him out a couple games, let him get his head on straight, look at some film. He’ll be fine. Trade Chipper? No Way he’s the cornerstone of the Braves, yeah, he’s been injured alot the past couple of years, but when he gets back in there, he’ll once again be All Star quality. Maybe trade Sosa and a minor leaguer with promise for the D-Train. They will all be fine though. Try Ray as closer a couple games if Reitsma can’t get the job done.

By hk

April 25, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

Bob, … say, that’s a pretty powerful passel of p’s you’re producing lately …

… there’s a Book I read pretty often that says in many ways that the ‘valleys’ in our lives can really be good for us, often better than times of prosperity … I think maybe what Frenchy is going through right now, under the microscope and all, will help him ‘turn’ in the end ….

By Bob

April 25, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

Steve, I like Jeff’s spunk … he’s larger than life in some respects … but there’s more than one way to to read “I’m just gonna keep giving it 110% and I’m sure everything be fine.”

Folks, put on your 3rd ear and go back and reread Carolina Lady’s posts up above.

Some good and timely insights!

Miles,

I like Andruw, he’s one of the few “good” power hitters. In fact, I like “good anything” hitters … they’re rare, almost extinct animals.

Time was when “bean” balls, drag bunts, squeeze plays and “hittin ‘em where they ain’t” singles hitters was … baseball … far more exciting to me than watching a bunch of “bad” .200 hitters swing for the fences … a lineup of “good” single hitters would beat them more that you think!

By Chad

April 25, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this

Chipper is here to stay. He’ll finish a Brave. As he should. Loyalty is hard to come by these days and he deserves some payback. There is talent in the orginization to trade for some help and bringing in Willis would be outstanding. Even if they can get by without him, they need to block someone like the Mets or Philly’s from getting him.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

he’s not ready to play! sit him down and let someone who can get down the line play. jimmy smith gets excited as we waste at-bats. the team is not together well enough to go at half speed or less against anybody - even the brewers. get well and come back - let someone else play until then.

By Nicholas Irwin

April 25, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

Rob, I guarantee you the message board of every professional sports and major college team in America looks about like this one. There’s the fans who always thinks that if it doesn’t work two days in a row, it should be immediately changed. There’s the guy who thinks the manager or coach is a complete dimwit and cannot be convinced otherwise. There’s the guy who constantly is saying that things will work themselves out in the end and that everyone who is hand-wringing about the current state of affairs is an idiot. The current player that is having a slump is constantly getting trashed. From going on message boards for my favorite teams in other sports and looking on other teams’ message boards just for fun, I can tell you that we are in no way special in this regard.

I mean, I doubt Cardinals fans would get on Pujols, but then, we stopped getting on Andruw Jones when he became MVP caliber too, didn’t we? Atlanta may be a bad sports town, but the group of people who are true fans of the team aren’t really different from the true fans of any other team, from what I can see.

By Dennis

April 25, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

Just a short comment. I can’t say with certainty what I would do with Francouer but as an old guy who remembers how Mike Schmidt used to scare the bejeebers out of me each time he came to bat against the Braves, I went back to check his career stats. I remembered him having a tough time early on.

In 1973, his first full season in the majors he played in 132 games, hit .196 with 136 strikeouts in 367 AB with 18 HR and 52 RBI. There was a chorus of boos for him that year from the Philly fans and many questioned the wisdom of playing him,much as many question Bobby Cox now. The Phillies stuck with him and he got some good advice from a hitting instructor and lead the NL in HR in 1974 with over 100 RBI. He suffered from Ks his whole career and I think struck out as much as 180 times in one year, but all baseball fans know of his career.

I say give him a few days off and sit him down now and again, but keep him in the majors for now.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

hk,

I’m Pleased as Punch that you ‘Preciate my Profferings and Pontifications!

Sounds like we may read the same good book … plenty of powerful profferings in mine too!

Maybe Jeff can Pitch. If we put him in the Pen, we could take advantage of his great arm and not worry about his bat.

By hk

April 25, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this

Bob, … was thinking about your Macbeth the other day …’out damn spot, out I say’ (that title), ‘Methinks thou doth protest too much’ (Hamlet actually) and, at the end of that day, (back to Macbeth) … ‘so foul and fair a day I have not seen’

By KEVY BABY

April 25, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

Frenchy to the Benchy! c’mon - get your a* in the cage and learn to take a pitch! For cryin’ out loud - 55% of first pitches swung on? That is BUSH league. Sorry if you are a hometown boy, but this is the big time. I paid $45 for a seat the other night, and Frenchy looked pathetic. I want at least $5 back ($45 divided by nine players)

By geechee

April 25, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

The best lines from Macbeth sort of describe about 80% of our posts on here.

“To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”

By naet

April 25, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

Jeff Francoeur should be sent down to AAA

By naet

April 25, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this

Jeff Francoeur should be sent down to AAA

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

again, bob is kind to jimmy smith. journalist says, hello, and reminds bob not to be so hard on self. journalist notes that chipper is not running as fast as baby seal - and this is with seal burdened by heavy faberge egg! journalist suggests chipper needs to get closer to playing speed before returning to lineup. lineup tonight should be the best in awhile - waiting for results. the propensity for a plentiful parade of p’s in bob’s past paragraph portends prosperity. hk, did well, too. now, baseball … chipper is up - if he will hit it out he won’t have to run.

By hk

April 25, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

geechee,

…amen and amen …

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

journalist portends future! chipper hits hr! slow run will be okay.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

jimmysmith,

If he hits it like that, over the fence, he doesn’t have to run.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 08:54 PM | Link to this

Jimmy,

Hi! I know it looks like I saw your posts before writing mine … but, I really didn’t!

By Brian

April 25, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

The Braves do not have a choice. They need to send him to AAA or AA to regain his swing and confidence. Do it now and he can be back up at the All-Star break to help. And DO NOT LET HIM PLAY IN THE WBC AGAIN.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, you have a powerful pen, packed with Ps … pondered, and started to ask about The Lady’s Faberge reference the other day … but my patience was rewarded when you showed your knowlege, patience and skill in answering same … no egg on your face!

I hear that Jeff is a good “mistake” hitter … sure wish somebody would throw him some. I’m begining to think that maybe the Mistake Pitch came from the man that said Jeff could hit.

I don’t get TS, listening to WGST … how did Chipper get down the line on that one?

By geechee

April 25, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

No offense Brian but, the Braves do have choices and it is Bobby Cox’ job to decide between those choices. He has a tough job but, he does it as well as anyone in the game. We have the easiest of jobs. Our job is to just say “Go Braves” but many times it seems we would rather do Bobby’s job which none of us are qualafied for than just sit back and do what we are supposed to do.

By geechee

April 25, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

Sorry, qualified

By Bob

April 25, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this

geechee,

I knew that we shared some common ground … good thoughts … but there’s nothin’ wrong with what you said, son … I doubt that very many of us are “qualafied” either.

By Del

April 25, 2006 09:56 PM | Link to this

Bottom of the 7th. For the second time in two days in Brewtown we have been out-managed, out-hustled and out of luck. Our batting funk is starting to spread to the mound. What in the world was Hudson thinking about? With the announced pitchers for Weds game we could very well get swept in this series. Maybe thats what this team needs: a good hard slap in the face. Nuts!!!

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith looked up just in time to see italian sausage man sprint to the front in sausage race. bob, he looked pretty good going down the line. now, remember how the braves scored so many runs at the beginning of the season? why does it seem so hard to believe they will score enough tonight to come back? great picture of the road runner on atlanta braves website. need him back.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this

Jimmy Smith,

My Audio went out … what happened to our lead?

For your Webster … Highly Seasoned Veteran: Pitiful, Passed Prime Prima Donna Pining for Past Performance.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

bob, del pretty much hit it on the head in his post above. they hit a couple balls on hudson and then the defense went to sleep - sorta like the bats. do you think if bobby doesn’t do everything he can to put them in position to win each game maybe the players pick up on that and lose interest? jimmy smith saw a great player have a brain phart a minute ago. maybe he thinks they don’t have the tools to come back. uh,oh, turnbow …

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

francoeur vs. turnbow - ah, baseball

By Bob

April 25, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, maybe Ned will feel sorry for us and have his pitchers walk 4 and hit one or two … then, maybe we’d have a chance.

Thanks for giving out the “dope” on the game … do you have a license for “dispensing”?

Yeah, we need the RoadRunner back … about 8 clones would do just fine!

I didn’t see Ralph’s Picture but to whomever it was that I responded about “singles hitters”; the roadrunner was one of the best! Give me eight of him and we’d make you change your mind!

He’s a real fan! He overuses some of his pet phrases a bit … but has charm and a “great-to-listen- to” voice too!

By journalist jimmy smith

April 25, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

jeff won’t take a walk. he swung at ball four twice. then, he struck out. bobby may have sent him up there to hit it out, we don’t know. patience is not his game. of course, he took the bat out of mccann’s hands. tough loss. interesting topic for the blog in view of events.

By Miles

April 25, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

CAN FRENCHY AND LAROCHE PLEASE BE DROPPED TO 8TH IN THE LINEUP!!!

I’ve had enough of this crap, take away chipper and the team gets shutout by friggin Ohka..ugh. Thank god its still only april.

By J-dogg

April 25, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this

Why do we continue to play that stupid shift to every left handed hitter in the league? Whth the runner on 2nd theres no way there should have been a shift called on that hit by Feilder.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

Goodness!! Maybe ours is one of those “There’s your run … now, go out and do your part!” teams.

A Buzz Cut of all things … that’s all he needed, smart move Frenchy … No need to look further, you’ve found the answer!

Frenchy’s headed for the SI Cover again … same picture, different caption this time … “What, me worry?!”.

Famous GWTW quote “Frankly, Frenchy my dear … tommorrow is another day!”.

By J-dogg

April 25, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

How the f*** does Carlos Lee steal a base of hudson? That run played a huge role in the outcome of this sorrey game.

By Chop Chop

April 25, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

Two nights in a row with a few sloppy plays that cost the Braves big-time. Betemit’s gaffe last night and Carlos Lee’s steal tonight. Hell…even that play where Bill Hall hesitated at second was a chance for the Braves to get him at the plate. Andruw made a lazy throw to Giles, then Giles hesitated on his throw to the plate and Hall scored easily. Lazy baseball in close games gets you nothing but an “L”.

By Tomahawkin

April 25, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

It’s early but were playing like its October…This anemic lineup is really beginning to p-!ss me off…Come on Bobby shake up the lineup or get these dudes to do push-ups for trying to hit the ball out of the park or something

Were getting our a-s-ses handed to us by the Jubroni teams…Wait til we start playing the Big Boys, like the Stros and Cardinals

BTW Why Da He!! was Prado Sent down…If anyone that should be on the plane to Richmond should have been Pete Orr…He is not going to cut it in the leadoff spot…

By David Duncan

April 25, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this

Send Frenchy down to Richmond and let him stay there until he disciplines himself as a hitter. He is an automatic out every time he bats. The Braves will not win the NL East in 2006 if they continue to give opponents 4 or 5 outs per game. That is what the Braves are doing with Frenchy.

By Bob

April 25, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this

It’s official! Betemit has arrived … that’s right, even The ole man hisself, Furman Bisher, says so … featured him right there in his Bolg.

One concern, is the Terry Pendleton quote used by Mister B: “He’d be playing every day for a lot of teams in this league.”

I couldn’t decide if Terry was saying that Wilson couldn’t crack our great lineup but could so do on some of the less talented teams … or was venting his frustration over the Braves inability to appreciate Wilson’s abilities.

selah

By tyyosh

April 25, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this

OK I am racking my brain trying to figure out… “who is the very good player not on the roster right now having to get distance from his past”?!?

By hk

April 26, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

Bob, …

… hmmm, ‘selah’, that’s what my preacher always says at the very end of the service … my guess is this means you’re hitting the hay early tonight because there’s a 1:05pm game tomorrow …

… sure was good to have Chipper back in the middle of the lineup tonight … poor Frenchy, I was hoping he wouldn’t have to make the final out, and he struck out at that, and the one hit he got was probably an error …

By Bob

April 26, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

tyyosh, Only “The Lady” and Kent Allard aka “Lamont Cranston” really know … so don’t rack too hard … we have enough folks disabled as it is.

I’ve a hunch that you might find the answer to that question by changing your perspective … and just asking yourself how many really very good players you know who aren’t on the roster?

By Shawn B

April 26, 2006 12:40 AM | Link to this

If Francoeur doesn’t break out soon, I think Matt Diaz should get a chance to play everyday for a while. And as for the guy that commented that only if Furcal was still here, Frenchy could hit second and get fastballs because of Furcal’s speed on the bases, well, Furcal is hitting .215 in LA so far this season, so that would blow that little theory up wouldn’t it. Like they say, you can’t steal first base.Good riddance to Furcal, though I do miss his arm out as short. And speaking of arms and getting back to Frenchy. Maybe if he would stop airmailing his throws and gun some guys down and play stellar defense, it may be a case like with Andruw early in his career where Bobby left him in the lineup because he was saving runs on defense until he could get his bat going. But alas, it appears that Jeff feels like he has to show off his arm every chance he gets and he’s hoping that the ooohs and aaahs for his gun will cause people to forget him swinging at every pitch that makes it at least 55 feet.

By Bob

April 26, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this

hk,

Thanks for reminding me about the early game! I’ve taken my pain killers and will go to bed shortly …

I think that the only error made tonight with Frenchy was his position in the batting order … I was hoping that Bobby would have him bat 10th tonight.

There’s always been alot of debate over what “selah” really means. When I was a kid, I thought it was a cuss word that Furman made up and used when he wanted to get your attention!

By Andy

April 26, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this

jimmy smith with the powerful pen and perky petite seal who has plenty of BM BM BM BM’s when BM bats. baby.

By hk

April 26, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this

Bob,

… yes, it’s an enigmatic sort of word, some say it means ‘pause, reflect’ others say ‘amen’. other ‘always’, others ‘forever’ …

… I’m turning in as well, see you tomorrow …

By Bob

April 26, 2006 02:26 AM | Link to this

hk, I was just cheking to see what was new … Regarding Selah, I was only funnin’ … I grew up figuring that Mr Bisher either was saying “howdy” in code to some girfriend named Shela … or that he used it as “amen” … read some time later that nobody knows for sure, not even The Shadow. I’ve noted that some, smarter than me, say it means “Forever”.

Tomorrow, … we’ll win! tomorrow … and tomorrow … and tomorrow … creeps in

Oh well, selah

Well done Andy!

By Marc

April 26, 2006 02:54 AM | Link to this

We have two completly worthless hitters in the lineup. Did anyone really think that Laroach would all of a sudden become a good hitter. The guy is hitting .215, he’s a joke. He is going to have 200 strikeouts. Oh but he can field 1st base, whoopty doo. Anyone can field 1st. As for Frenchy, he will never be succesful swinging at every pitch thrown, so if he is not going to learn how to be a big league hitter, he shouldn’t be on the big league roster. This team right now is a joke, at least they are back to the good ole Braves we know, decent pitching, can’t hit a lick. Although you have to excuse their performance tonight, because they were facing a hall of fame pitcher in Ohka. 4 games out with the Mets coming in, time to figure it out boys. I agree with what Chipper said, you can only say the season is early for so long, pretty soon it is going to be to late. By the way I am sick of the excuse that this team starts out slow every year, why is that. They always have great players, a great coach, and a great GM. The Braves need to start busting a** now. It’s time to play like champions. Please BC drop Laroach to seventh and Frenchy to eigth, or just remove them from a lineup. How long do you give guys to figure it out, how many losses.

By Leonard Washington

April 26, 2006 03:06 AM | Link to this

I would like to see Terry Pendleton tell Francoeur to just go up there once and not swing at anything, even if it’s 60 mph right down the middle. I wonder what would happen to him, my guess is he might explode.

Seriously though, Francoeur is the future of this franchise. That doesn’t mean he has to be the present. If a 2-week trip to AAA will help him gain his confidence they should go ahead and pull the trigger and send him down for a little while. I’m guessing he would probably tear up AAA even the way he’s swinging right now. Yeah we might not have a lot of reliable outfield options beyond him at this point, but at the same time can you really get worse than Francoeur right now? I don’t think that we would suffer that much offensively if Diaz took his spot in the order for the next couple of weeks.

I think another reason he might be suffering is his awful nickname “Frenchy”. Come on now, ain’t we the same fan base who came up with Sheff’s Chefs? We can’t do any better than “Frenchy” for Jeff Francoeur?

I’m Leonard Washington, you better check ya tone son…

By Mark

April 26, 2006 03:15 AM | Link to this

Christ almighy its only april , calm down already. were 4 games out , its not the end of the world. Here is what I’d do : Bench Frenchy or send him to Richmond , Throw a couple of pitching prospects at the Reds for Ryan Freel. Put freel in right and bat him leadoff. Betemit and or Chipper at 1B , 3b. Ditch Jordan and put Laroche on the bench. Presto , a leadoff hitter who can run , throw , hit , steal a base , draw walks and play 6 positions. Betemit and Chipper both in the lineup , the two automatic outs on the bench and jordan retired where he belongs. okay , I’m as genius , lol. Now…… if it were only that easy.

By geechee

April 26, 2006 06:47 AM | Link to this

Selah is quite an enigmatic word from ancient Hebrew. Nobody truly knows exactly what it means and it can mean different things to different people. It usually comes at the end of some written phrases or psalms and loosely means that the reader should pause and reflect on what has just been written. Whether this is what Bisher means by it, can only be answered by him.

By tfbrave77

April 26, 2006 07:50 AM | Link to this

Get Betemit an OF glove stick him in left put the Langy/Diaz platoon in right. Two birds with one stone. Betemit gets to play everyday and French gets to work things out in the minors.

By glennbo

April 26, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this

frenchy needs to platoon and bat lower in the order - let him work out of this funk in the major leagues rather than the minor league cheese factory. it would also strengthen the bench with more at bats for diaz and jordan. Do the braves have a kangaroo court in place? chipper would be the obvious judge in said court. so, maybe if frenchy gets “fined” and and chewed out for being a free swinging moron in front of his , he’d start playing more responsively. Here’s my list of recent fines:

By glennbo

April 26, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this

betemit: $100 for that double clutch on that double steal. andruw: $200 for that lazy throw that allowed that run to score on hudson.
hudson: $200 for allowing fileder to steal. Laroache: $100 for every strike out. frenchy: $100 for each swing at ball four.

By raymond

April 26, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this

The Braves need to send Frenchy down and let him learn to hit. Part of being a hitter is being selective and not swinging at bad pitches and getting yourself out. Obviously the major league pitchers have figured out he will swing at anything and he has no discipline at the plate.

By doc

April 26, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

selah: loosely translated, that’s as it is and all that it is; a thoughtful reflection or weighing in of what we have seen or heard. when furman uses it it is from his perspective.

By jerry

April 26, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

If the tightwads had signed Sheffield they would have a right fielder who could hit.

By Michael

April 26, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this

I think Francoeur’s weaknesses as a hitter have been exposed and it is time to admit that he simply is not a major league hitter at this point in time. I don’t think this means that he can’t become a good hitter. He has gotten by with athletic ability his whole life and athletic ability is not what makes someone a good hitter. You need more than that and he obviously doesn’t it yet. Send him to AAA and let him back when he can produce at the plate.

By mista don't play

April 26, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this

the best temporary move in the batting order is to leave langerhans 3rd and place chipper behind andruw, when everyone is healthy. i believe 6th is a comfortable spot for laroche and the gwinnett boys (francoeur and mccann) bat ahead of the pitcher.

giles, renteria, langerhans, a. jones, c. jones, laroche, francoeur, mccann

i know this is not the forum, but the braves should shop betemit.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 26, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith has several comments and questions: glennbo, is there really a cheese factory in the minors? what kinds of cheeses? andy, baby seal passed the faberge egg late last night. baby seal is now in a sitz bath and is not expected to be himself for a few days - maybe he can blog with andy? tyyosh, carolina lady is wise. journalist thinks she means jj. that would be journalist’s guess. doc, jimmy smith is following prescription and feels much better - fruit is indeed our friend. doc, jimmy smith also subscribes to your interpretation of bisher’s use of “selah” - it is traditional close for bisher much like dob’s use of “when are you leaving the blog you stupid jackasss?”. dob, much ado made today of laroche’s diary or whatever it is called because of hushed whispers during interview - can dob please explain why whispering throughout interview? in church? somewhere you’re not supposed to be? hiding from woman? hiding from husband? sore throat? ashamed to be seen with strikeout man? now, sausage races - timing chipper down the line in first inning and last journlaist determined him to be too slow to beat out ball hit on ground - much like man wearing 30 pound sausage head. favorite for tonight’s sausage race is jorge sosa. go braves!

By Jim

April 26, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this

Can you say Brought up too soon ? Where’s Sheffield ?

By Ron Patterson

April 26, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this

While most are bashing Francouer, I have a real question about 1B .. La Roche. A team can’t win with a .215 hitter at a corner infield position and less than that in one of the corner outfield positions. I’m aware that Jurries is not supposed to be a great fielder, but hopefully while playing several years of pro ball, he learned how to CATCH a thrown ball. Does La Roche have pictures of some front office person?

By francoeur7fan

April 26, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

I don’t know why being sent to AAA is perceived as such a bad thing; as the club’s giving up on a player…I think AAA for a little while would be good for Frenchy. He can’t learn to read pitches in batting practice and we can’t afford for him to try learning it during games much longer either. Put Diaz in LF, Langerhans in RF. This would be a temporary situation while Francoeur finds his groove again in Richmond. GO BRAVES!!

By JasonInMaine

April 26, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

If we are going to win the division, some moves are a necessity…and I don’t think we can wait until July like in past years.

We have to get a closer…sorry, but it is a must. Reitsma is NOT the answer. We need more offense. Frenchy needs a trip to the bench.

We need an ace. We would have one if Smoltz could be Smoltz, but he can’t be. By his own admission, he can’t go all out and try and be the ace of the staff. Hudson is no longer an ace. Man, every single pitch of his looks the same. 87-94 MPH pitch that moves back over the plate. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of variation in what he is doing. Do others see what I am seeing?

I think JS needs to make a move or two sooner rather than later.

Jason

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

In his last 50 games, Jeff has been the batting equivalent of Joey Divine. Did the Braves keep Joey in Atlanta? No. They sent him down. This is a no brainer, in my opinion. Start Diaz, bring up Jurries, play Jordan as the 4th outfielder and give Jeff 10-15 games in Richmond to get himself together. I can’t think of a reason to allow a 22 year-old to look this bad in Atlanta (unless we are winning 4 out of every 5 games. We are not). This kid, regardless of how golden he once was, cannot be bigger than the team. And right now, he is clearly hurting the team. Just like Divine, GET HIM OUT OF THERE! It doesn’t mean we are throwing him out with the trash, it just means he “ain’t” ready to help his team now. What’s wrong with putting the team first and his ego second?

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

JasonInMaine, I thought Huddy looked pretty darn good last night. A few runs can go a long way to helping a pitcher. It’s hard to be perfect up there. Thomson went through the same thing on Monday. When you know you can’t give up a run, it’s harder to keep from making a costly mistake.

Bobby Cox = Total Patience. Franc = No Patience. I wish we could balance them out a bit in this case. Then maybe Franc would straighten out, or Boby would sit him some.

I do think it’s great that of all the bloggers, no one seems to be giving up on Franc. All the suggestions of sitting and the minors are all for his own good and the good of the team.

By Penn

April 26, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

If Smoltz can’t “go all out” for seven innings, how about “going all out” for one inning?

Is it possible the Braves have five serviceable starters w/o Smoltz? If so put him back in the cloer’s role. It could result in FAR MORE WINS than keeping him in a starter’s slot.

First base needs fixing and right field needs fixing. Other than that the Braves have a pretty solid team. Surely they can find a way to fix first base with some combination that includes Chipper and Betemit. Betemit is far too good a player to sit on the bench with LaRoche and Francoeur in the lineup.

By Shawn B

April 26, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

I don’t think Sheffield would have signed with the Braves no matter what. He said from the start of his free agency that he wanted to play for the Yankees, and no team is going to be able to outbid the Yankees for any player they want. And Marc, your wrong, not just anybody can play first base, that is one of the most important positions on the field to have a solid glove at, because he can save all the infielders by being solid defensively

By Randy

April 26, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

You know I agree with some earlier fellow bloggers and I say give Francouer to McCann’s Dad or Chipper’s Dad. I have felt all along that Terry Pendleton was a hitting coach hire because he was one of Cox’s “favorites”. T.P. doesn’t help hitters adjust to pitchers too well. Sometimes Cox falls in love with certain people and give them every chance and others he gives no chance. Pendleton was an average ball player, so he can’t command the respect of an athlete who has been a “star” his whole life. I’m not making excuses for Francouer because he also needs to learn how to make the proper adjustments and not fall into the same habits.

By MGL

April 26, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

I think we will see a turn-around within the next week. Keep in mind that the Braves got the worst opening schedule in MLB. 16 (1 ppd) road vs 6 home. Many games in cold and/or rain. This is a warm weather team. Chipper hasn’t even played at the Ted yet this year. Francoeur hit .375 in the only six game home stand. There have only been 6 games with the entire starting line-up. Hopefully, everyone will be healthy and rested for the Mutts on Friday.

By Ken

April 26, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Everybody keeps harping on Francouer taking pitches. It is not a question of taking or swinging, it is swinging at pitches you can handle. Sometimes a strike is not hittable, sometimes you can hammer a pitch that is out of the strike zone. I just think he is one of those funks where he has no confidence and no idea what pitch he wants to hit. I don’t know if Richmond would help or some bench time would be better. I am not the hitting coach but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night

By DOB's Lover (in a good way)

April 26, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

Why not just give Frenchy today off and then with tomorrow’s off day, that will be 2 days off to work in the cage and just take a break from everything. If he doesn’t respond this weekend, then maybe he should take a week off or something. It’s not like someone’s waiting to play instead of Frenchy. Diaz hasn’t shown us much and Jordan is garbage to me. Just don’t give up on him yet…HE’S 22!!!

By JasonInMaine

April 26, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Dubya Cubed,

He looked good through 6, but the bottom line is that if he pitched like he did last night all year, his ERA would be 5.14. Not what I would call ACE type numbers, would you?

Jason

By tom dowdle

April 26, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox has a record of not giving up on players he knows are really good. Franceur is a player who needs to learn that other teams who did not know him last year have figured him out. He needs to adjust and Pendleton is just the one to help him ala Andruuw Jones.

By Bob

April 26, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

Leonard Washington,

I like your words but I’d rephrase and reorder some of them … like

Francoeur is the future of this franchise … could be that better expectations are found in Dickens.

Seriously though, I would like to see Terry Pendleton tell Francoeur to just go up there “more than once” and not swing at the first four pitches, even if they’re right down the middle.

I wonder what would happen to him too. My guess is he would be standing on 1st … or at least be in a good hitter’s count! In either case, it would be a good, new experience for him.

enigmatic … now can you imagine a nice boy like geechee using a word like that?! Doc, I don’t know what enigmatic means … is it a medical term or something … downright puzzling to me.

Jimmy, I’m racking my brain as to why you went and snitched on ole jj … I thought I gave tyyosh, a pretty good hint … The Lady wasn’t gonna tell and Lamont would have only laughed if anyone asked him.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Bob and jimmy, could just as easily be Joey D.? He’s got serious grand slam demons to slay.

I like the idea of Franc taking ‘til he has 2 strikes. I would imagine his legs would be sore from all the walking to first base.

By SCW

April 26, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

Please PLEASE stop calling him Frenchy! You may as well be calling him Fruity.

By Bob

April 26, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

Penn,

I hear what you’re saying about Smoltz, but John is smart and knows himself better than we … he’s paid his dues, and perhaps we should use our third ears when he speaks.

As great as he is as a Starter and was as a Closer, I’ve always thought that John would have even better and more valuable as a “Fireman” … putting out the trouble, regardless of when it came. One would think that would be a far more important role player than someone that comes in to pitch the last inning when you have a 2-3 run lead.

Randy,

I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t had more discussion revolving arround TP’s handling of these situations.

I like Terry … if memory serves, he used to live on the little lake up in Roswell, not too far from Dale’s old place. He’s a good cheerleader and an experienced, accomplished hitter. I’m sure that he has been a good influence on many … and helped them with their hitting.

I’m not sure if the role of a hitting coach is that of a hitting instructor … or just that of being someone that can “see” what the player is doing (what the player thinks/feels he’s doing is usually different) and effectively communicate to the player.

I think that the biggest danger in having a hitting coach who’s credentials are limited to his track record as a player … is the inclination to use what worked for him … to solve every problem.

One of Bobby’s real strengths is his abiltity to recognize the differences in each player and and manage each one accordingly … Bobby seems to do it naturally without giving it any thought.

Hopefully, Terry is doing that too!

I had a Golf Pro give my son lessons once … He sized my son up before starting … and during the first 3 lessons, never used a ball!

By journalist jimmy smith

April 26, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

journalist addresses dubya cubed and bob, may be jj and may be jd. only carolina lady knows for sure. both would be good guesses in this journalist’s estimation. now, seal … baby seal is in much discomfort. egg has been returned to merchant and all charges dropped. egg was a mess but jimmy smith hosed it off and wrapped in cheese wrappers. merchant seemed pleased since egg was uninsured. somebody will by faberge egg with history of its own. now, francoeur … journalist would not advocate sending him to anyone’s daddy. perhaps sending him to jeff blauser makes more sense. let blauser introduce him to red bat that created one magic season for blauser.

By Nicholas Irwin

April 26, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

On the topic of Carlos Lee’s steal last night, while maybe Hudson should’ve actually bothered to look him back at least once, somebody’s gotta yell to him that Lee is going. He had a freaking seven-step jump! Hudson was not even in his motion when Lee started. I don’t know whose responsibility it is to yell to him that Lee is on the move (I’m guessing LaRoche, but it could be Giles or Betemit). Whoever it is though, that steal is largely on them. If Hudson knows about it, he turns around and catches him in a rundown.

By glennbo

April 26, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

5 mil / year for tony gwynn as hitting coach.

By David O'Brien

April 26, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

SCW, we call him Frenchy because that’s his nickname, given to him by third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez several years ago and used by every one of his teammates and manager.

You know, just because the right decided a couple years ago that anything with French in the title was bad and effete or unpatriotic or whatever, doesn’t mean we all have to believe that garbage.

If you look up old-school baseball nicknames, Frenchy would have fit in perfectly. It’s old-school to the max, like Dutch and Three Fingers and Lefty and “Rapid” Roger, etc.

Only reason I bring this up and respond to your post is that you’re not the first to obsess over this, and it’s all from outsiders, not anybody on the team. They like the nickname, and some of us, do, too. So live with it.

His name’s French, you know? Or should he maybe change that, too, in order to fit in with the “Freedom Fries” crowd? Puhleeze. Gimme a break. It’s a great nickname, a great baseball nickname.

And by the way, it’s far, far down the list of concerns for Francoeur right now, what people might think of his nickname.

And he likes it, too. So if he likes it, his teammates like it, and a bunch of us like it, is it OK if you just live with it? Good.

By JasonInMaine

April 26, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

Why does Bobby keep batting LaWhiff and Jeff “I have to swing at the first pitch and am hitting .188” Francoeur 5th and 6th, respectively? I just do not get it!!

Jason

By journalist jimmy smith

April 26, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

ben sheets! ben sheets! strikeout man facing braves. 1st 3 batters down on strikes. laroche and francoeur beware. turnbow in ninth - lights out. betemit bats low in order, don’t you think?

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

Sheets is gonna strikeout a record 27 batters today.

By JasonInMaine

April 26, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

What the heck kind of start is that to a game? (: Sheets is always tough on the Bravos. Let’s hope Jorge “I love twinkies” Sosa is on today.

Jason

By Del

April 26, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

I have known some hard heads in my day. but believe me when I tell you that BC ranks right up there amongst the hardest. He insists on starting the same #5 and #6 hitters game after game after game expecting different results. You know what they call people like that?? Disgusting !!

Great start to todays game. 3 Braves up, 3 down on strikes. We are going to pad our league leading SO stat big time today. Like I said yesterday: maybe getting swept by the BrewCrew will finally wake this bunch of underachievers up. Lets hope so anyhow. I wonder if ADD is contageous ?

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

Sheets kills us. ADDam K’s again, but Frenchy (thanks DOB for justifying the use of this nickname) actually took the first pitch before his usual ground out.

I hate being this negative.

By Bob

April 26, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

WWW, One nice thing about it … if Sheets strikes out 27, we’ll have a good chance!

I like good extra inning affairs … don’t you?

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

Bob, free baseball would be great. I would be able to make it home and catch this on TV, instead of glancing at Gameday every few minutes while I work.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Awesome. We got one. Maybe Cox knows best keeping McCann down in the order. He gets on, pitcher bunts him over, drive him in.

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

Way to Go GILES!

Alright, Sosa is just down right baffeling. Why does he use so many stinking pitches? I’m glad to see some zero’s on the board, but the way he’s pitching I can’t see that lasting. He’ll be pulled by the 6th for sure.

Go Braves!

By doug

April 26, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

speaking of gameday, how about that picture of sosa on there. i thought it was pedro with a braves hat on for a second there.

By MGL

April 26, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Is anyone else having trouble with gameday performance? Last year, it would get a pitch or two behind, this year, it seems to be several outs behind most of the time. Are there any settings that can be used to speed it up?

By doug

April 26, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

sosa’s era is down to 8.10

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

I’m on GameDay. I’d say the biggest issue I’m having with it right now is, it just showed one pitch in the zone and then 2 in the dirt and Francoeur swung at all three. Come-on Francoeur!

Aside from that, I can’t tell if it’s late on the replay. Somedays are better than others.

By geauxbraves2000

April 26, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

How much longer is Francouer going to stay in the lineup? Why throw the kid a strike? He needs some time off to think about it, he is a liability right now. I want him to do well but he’s dragging the team down right now. This isn’t the minor leagues where he can just work things out. This is getting ridiculous.

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

That should correct the issue doug found with Sosa’s ERA. It was getting way to low. Good think Sosa started to relax when he had that big 1 nothin lead.

By doug

April 26, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

those were unearned runs, era now at 7.53. whew!

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

See that Francoeur? McCann took that first pitch. he couldn’t do much with it, why swing. It was called a strike, so now he fights that pitch off to show he can foul it out of play and still be in the box ready to hit. Then he gets a pitch he can handle, and he puts it in play. It’s that simple. had one of those been out of the zone, McCann would have taken it as well. It’s called hitting Francoeur. It’s a vital part of the game.

By Kenny

April 26, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this

Just keeping up with the afternoon game and it looks like more the same. I know it’s early but statistically I think we’ll have a pretty good idea about this season after the next home stand. Braves have a few things going for them: tradition, Andruw Jones and John Smoltz. Chipper and Renteria are great but are injury prone and therefore unreliable. Bullpen and starting pitching are shaky though seem to be getting somewhat better. The young players aren’t doing so well their second and third times around the league. LaRoche can’t produce like a first baseman should and the bench is really weak. I’d say the Braves are in real trouble. Looks like they’ll be 9-12 coming home. Pretty lousy. That’s one-eighth of the season. Is it enough to get a statistical read on things? Not sure yet but the time is nigh to find out. They may string together some wins here and there but can they produce day after day? Doesn’t look like it.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

Everyone can stop talking about what a good fielder ADDam is. He just cost us 3 runs. Betemit needs to call Rawlings or Mizuno and get some first baseman mitts to try. At least WB would have a chance to make up for any errors with his bat.

By doug

April 26, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

7.04

By glennbo

April 26, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

why doesn’t andruw hit with chipper protecting him? druw’s the alpha male now. chipper is just so much fluff. he’ll never hit 40 dingers again. he’s done. where’s the fork?

By Chop Chop

April 26, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

Ol’ Roachy got a hit and drove in a run. Good job, Roachy.

By Chop Chop

April 26, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Ol’ Frenchy didn’t get a hit. Take ball four, Frenchy!

By geauxbraves2000

April 26, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Hey Francouer, TAKE A PITCH!!!!!!!!!!! This is getting stupid. He either has to learn or has to go.

By Dr. Jay

April 26, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

It now seems a little silly that he played in the WBC as a representative of the USA, doesn’t it? Ironically, the infrequent at-bats of that experience may be the root of the problem. At any rate, send him to Richmond and let him get his head on straight.

By Chop Chop

April 26, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

What I’m waiting for is the moment when Bobby Cox encourages Francoeur to “Take ball one, Frenchy!”

By Matthew

April 26, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

Sosa appears to have been a little better today. 5 1/3 innings, no earned runs. he gave up the homer, but that’s one mistake. Maybe he’s coming around…

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

Would have been a good time to do a double switch. Frenchy made the last out, pitcher due up 3rd.

By Astro Joe

April 26, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

Come on. Dude thinks that a haircut will help him hit better? I know baseball players are superstitious but I didn’t think they were stupid. Instead of sending him to Richmond, it sounds like they should send him to the East Cobb Youth Baseball League. He and his teenage friends can all go a get new buzz cuts, swing by the Bruster’s to cruise for girlies and then knock over a few mailboxes on their way home.

Cool, dude, let’s have some fun and ignore the fact that Frenchy is an under-achieving professional who is looking for an answer from his freakin’ barber!

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

It’s Chuck James b!tch!

Glennbo, that just isn’t ever going to happen. Chipper is the 3rd hitter. He hits for high average and good power. But the most important part about Chipper being in front of Andruw is, Chipper has a career .400 on base percentage. You need a guy on base in front of your slugger to really take advantage of the sluggers power.
What is need is, someone other than LaRocher or Francoeur behind Andruw. I’ll agree, Andruw does need protection, but not Chipper. For the longest time it was, who is going to protect Chipper in the lineup. now Andruw is capable of doing it. So we got that covered, let’s find a capable guy of protecting Andruw. LaRoche really isn’t that guy. I thought Francoeur would be but so far he is making LaRoche look like Ty Cobb.

Come on Oscar! There isn’t a lead to blow so just get this guy out.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

Give ‘em hell Pat!

Renteria should be in the 5 hole when he comes back.

Sweet, we got Sheets out of the game - that may be worth the run we just gave up.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

If there is any justice we will score 10 runs off Kolb here.

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

There are just so many things I dislike about Dan Kolb. It’s great to see we send all our underachievers up against him. I wish Chipper and Andruw would get a shot. They could drop him like a sack of potatoes.

By doug

April 26, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

no justice, none at all.

By Dr. Jay

April 26, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

There is NO justice… My ire is beyond words… For me, the “M’ on Kolb’s hat doesn’t stand for “Milwaukee”…

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this

Turnbow and the fat lady will be warming up together soon.

By MBATL

April 26, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this

Braves are 9-11 (maybe 9-12, but maybe not, by the end of the day). Couldn’t pitch the first “half” of the young season, can’t hit now. And today, the defense has let us down.

LaRoche won’t hit .200. He might only hit .250, hopefully a litte higher; but he’s at the top of the NL in doubles, is on pace to drive in about 80, and plays great D (today’s error notwithstanding). That’s his game.

Francoeur is struggling, and I agree that Bobby should consider sitting him for a day or two, but what do I know? … nothing more drastic than that. Those that want to banish him to Siberia or criticize his personal life, you may be right, but please lay off the bandwagon when and if he gets his swing worked out.

Sosa has had 2 good outings in a row (even though he gave up some runs last week against NYM, he threw strikes and ‘looked good.’ No earned today, and more strikes. Davies has been awesome last 2 starts. Smoltz and Hudson look good; HoRam back soon. Thompson’s been sharp.

I know I’m in the minority, but I think this team has great possibilities. Get a couple of guys hitting; get Edgar back… maybe find a closer (which we DO need) by the trade deadline.

By Jamie in Richmond

April 26, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

“You know, just because the right decided a couple years ago that anything with French in the title was bad and effete or unpatriotic or whatever, doesn’t mean we all have to believe that garbage.”- DOB

Hey Nancy Pelosi, can you stick to blogging about baseball and leave out your personal politics? No one cares that you think the “right” is full of garbage in its distancing from the Frogs. Maybe you should be blogging for CNN. Some of us may be less inclined to even read your stuff after seieng how passionately you rush to defend the French against big, bad conservatives.

Back to baseball please…

Nice error Roach. Most overrated glove in the NL…

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

I said for Betemit to look at gloves for first. I meant Chipper. He can make errors at first just as easy as third.

Still no ERs for the brew crew today.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this

Lance, how about some strikes? Ball 12.

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

Why is it our pitchers are scared of hitters? They get two strikes and then they don’t throw another one near the zone. It used to be, if an opponent was down 0-2, he was out. I guess our batters are the only ones still living by this rule.

By Chop Chop

April 26, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Prince Fielder may not have the power his dad had, but he’s going to be twice the hitter. I don’t want to see him again for a while.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

I’m glad we got Remlinger back. I know he cost us Friday, but he usually throws strikes and stays out of big trouble.

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

Wow, saw that JamieInRichmond rant on Nacy Pelosi and the French and was blown away. I had to scroll aaaalllll the way back up there to find out where that came from. Cracks me up. I agree, keep politics out of baseball.

Alright boys, lets strike-out as quick as possible and get on the road!

By JasonInMaine

April 26, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

She’s all over folks…not just today, but the season. This season just has a different feel to it…9-12 and swept by the f-ing Brewers. What a disgrace. 5 games out by the end of the day and at least 6 by the end of the weekend.

I hate to be negative as well, but there is no reason to be positive. It’s over. But, it was an unprecedented run.

By TennesseePaul

April 26, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

Nice Pink back ground on the picture there “Death” Ray.

By JasonInMaine

April 26, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

She’s all over folks…not just today, but the season. This season just has a different feel to it…9-12 and swept by the f-ing Brewers. What a disgrace. 5 games out by the end of the day and at least 6 by the end of the weekend.

I hate to be negative as well, but there is no reason to be positive. It’s over. But, it was an unprecedented run.

By Dr. Jay

April 26, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

This season does have a different feel so far…but I refuse to give up until late May. Remember, the Astros were 15-30 at one point last year. Of course, we don’t have Clemens, Pettite, Oswalt and Lidge, but hey…

By MBATL

April 26, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

JasonInMaine: you’ve got to be kidding! The season is over? It’s April and we’re (soon to be) 3 games below .500. I understand the frustration, but this team has a lot of talent, and… we WERE out 9.5 games at the AllStar break one year and won it. I don’t want to put ourselves in that position again, but man, that’s NEGATIVE!

Too bad jounalist hunter s thompson is no longer with us: “Fear and Loathing in the Atl” is a much needed work.

I guess by nature blogs are for complaining, but to say that the season is lost… wow!

By TrueBLUEbravesFan

April 26, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

You know if you put a pair of horned rimmed glasses on Derek Turnbow he would look like one of the Hansen brothers from Slapshot.

Its not over yet folks. If home cooking works this weekend they could be as little as 1 game back.

Keep the faith. I’m there at least on Saturday to cheer them on.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

I get so sick of relievers walking people. We’re down 3 runs already, so stop giving out free passes.

By glennbo

April 26, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

the atlanta braves used to be the milwaukee braves. but now, they are milwaukee’s b*tches.

By MBATL

April 26, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

Nice rip, Frenchy.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

Come on McCann, hit one out.

By Dubya Cubed

April 26, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Come on WB, hit one out.

By Chop Chop

April 26, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

9-12 is about right. The Braves haven’t been consistently good at anything other than shooting themselves in the foot, so that’s a fair record.

By Bob

April 26, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

I just got a call from “Frenchy” … that’s not a joke, I really did … that’s what was on the CallerID … missed the out of state call. Imagine that!

Kenny,

I’ve been told that statistics is a mighty powerful tool and that some folks even use it to make a living … but, I’ve also heard that it’s more dangerous to believe statistics than the tallest of tales.

I haven’t decided which I believe, maybe a bit of both. I’m no eye doctor but I don’t accept the old adage that hindsight is always 20-20 … It’s very hard for me to get a statistical read on things after the season’s over, much less now … or any time for that matter.

No, I don’t pay too much stock in using baseball statistics to predict anything … better to leave that with the experts … mixing people and numbers is just too complex for me to have any confidence in my doing that. Why that’s even harder than my trying to crossbreed Charlet with Angus, and I failed at that too.

I loved basketball back before the introduction of the “shot clock” ruined the game. Pardon my dribble, but back then, the “game plan” was far more important than it is today.

I sometimes wish that Bobby would just go out on the field; call time out, get ALL of his on-field players and one coach into a huddle, and say “Boys, this is what we’re gonna do … ” even draw a thing or two in the dirt to show ‘em what he’s talking about.

That might not have much of an impact on our players … but, boy would stun the umpires and send a buzz through the croud … Doc, I’d even bet some of the bad guys would be affected/infected with the “what’s that old fool planning now?” virus.

Cheerleading is essential and Bobby is GrandMaster at that, but I’d like to see him do something similiar in the dugout, between innings, too … especially when we’re behind … give them an updated game plan, that is.

DOB, if you really want to know what’s wrong with Frenchy … try reading the comments on this Blog during the game sometime … our emotions and views change with every pitch, or so it seems.

By MBATL

April 26, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

9-12 IS right, Chop Chop, and given our slumps, both hitting and pitching, we’re lucky to be there.

And, I agree on Fielder; he seems to be able to guide the ball to the hole.

Regarding Francoeur; does anyone think that Diaz or Jurries have “star quality?” Either might hit .280 (though I doubt it, if they played every day), might drive in some runs, but neither is gonna be a fixture in the Braves outfield. Am I wrong? Better to work with Frenchy to get back on track, because he does have star quality as a hitter. A day off or 2 may be in order, but let’s not give up on the guy.

Oh, and Turnbow: if Reitsma had a save like that - a 3-run lead, gives up 2 runs - would we be congratulating him, or criticizing him (actually, I think that happened, against the Dodgers, or somebody).

By David O'Brien

April 26, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

Love the Hunter Thomson reference, whoever made it.

I’m sure it wasn’t J. in Richmond, who somehow twists my defense of Frenchy’s nickname into “my defense of the frogs” and asks why I don’t go blog for CNN. Oh, and if that’s a threat from you to stop reading this blog, please follow through with it.

Because as I’ve said before, I’ll write whatever I desire on my blog, mam. If you can’t deal with someone who doesn’t espouse your politics and thinks that obsessing about a nickname is silly, then too bad. You’re free to write whatever you want here. So am I.

By David O'Brien

April 26, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this

Oh, and if Jamie is a guy and not a girl, sorry I called you mam. Don’t mean to make you sound “fruity” like Frenchy.

Jeez, thought high school was over. Use of the term “fruity” … niiiice.

By francoeur7fan

April 27, 2006 12:27 AM | Link to this

Sorry DOB, but I thought the politics mention when explaining Frenchy’s nickname was kinda outta place too. Had to read that twice. Which is why I quit my subscription to the AJC awhile ago; too much right-hating innuendos, etc. It gets old. GO BRAVES!!

By FRANK

April 27, 2006 05:05 AM | Link to this

Frency is scary. Him not taking the first pitch, you would guess he would know by now, that pitchers have figured him out, his impatience, and he loves fastballs also. He needs to learn how to hit, which means taking a ball. I hope it doesn’t affect his confidence since he is an aggressive hitter, but maybe toooo aggressive.

By Hal

April 27, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

i rember Brad komminsk very well and on his worst day he had more of a clu then frenchie ! His swing was muscle bound and stiff but he dident swing at pitches 6 inches outside and in the dirt .If a pitcher ever did throw a fastball inside he hit it and hit it hard ! our new savior swings on the same arc every pitch hoping the pitcher might actually throw it there.Also those raving about his defence must have selective memory at best its been average

By francoeur7fan

April 27, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

Hal, Frenchy’s defense “average” -at best?! I believe it’s you with the selective memory…13 assists in 67 games is average? His throws to home from RF twice in the same game - both time for the outs is “average”? I don’t think so. After Andruw, he’s our best OFer.

By dawgfacedboy

April 27, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

Move him down in the order, if that doesn’t work send him down. You have to have tried everything before sending him down. You are not giving up on him by sending him down. You are simply putting him in a situation where he can succeed and get his confidence up. If there is noone to take his place in the OF then it is the Braves fault for putting all their eggs in a 22 yr old basket!

By Jonathan

April 27, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Franceour has all the skills necessary to be an All-Star. Unfortunately, I have never seen a hitter with less of a clue at the plate. And that includes a young Andruw Jones.

I understand our bullpen hasn’t blown any games recently. But that is only because they haven’t had the opportunity (Braves are either losing or our starters throw CG’s). Our middle relief is very questionable and Reitsma is still the worst closer in the NL.

By wilson

April 28, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this

you all are right, Frenchy is like Murphy, and like the Murphy years, the frenchy years are going to be disasterous. Hopefully things will get going soon and we’ll loose a hundred games.

By JHD

April 28, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

There isn’t anything wrong with Jeff that Coach Buck (Parkview High’s former baseball coach) couldn’t fix in just a few short sessions together. Jeff just seems to be putting too much pressure on himself. He needs to relax and let his natural ability take over. If Jeff can just get his head together, he has the ability to hit 30 to 40 HRs and have a .350 average.

By Bobbymahlon

May 1, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

After watching Diaz struggle against Wagner he would not be a replacement for Franceour. When I say struggle he was so overmatched he didn’t come within a foot of any pitch.If you want to replace Frenchy who is going to replace Giles and Laroche . The answer is you don’t replace Frenchy and Giles you wait for them to come around. I guess you have to have patience just like Bobby Cox does and that is why he is the manager and we write in with all the answers yah .