AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThinking of spring training, Francoeur’s future
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
All this bitter cold has me thinking about … Central Florida.
Gently swaying palm trees, the smell of hot dogs on grills and pine tar on bats, the sounds of bats hitting balls and balls popping mitts, the I-4 traffic and effervescent Disney employees — OK, those last two, we aren’t looking forward to.
Anyway, with one week until Braves FanFest, and only 41 days until pitchers and catchers report, it’s about time to start the countdown, don’t ya think?
(Apparently A’s general manager Billy Beane didn’t get the memo about taking some time off during the last few weeks, traditionally the slowest time in the baseball industry. Oakland’s GM did a little late wheeling and dealing while most others were traveling, kicking back, looking over recently tweaked rosters and determining what needs to be done between the holidays and opening day.)
I wouldn’t say I’m entirely ready to pack up and head to Dark Star (Disney) for six weeks of spring training, but I’m at least starting to think about it. Still got plenty of movies and college hoops to watch between now and Feb. 14, reporting day for pitchers & catchers — and ink-stained members of the Fourth Estate.
By the way, for those wondering about who’s gonna be at FanFest next weekend (Jan. 12-13) at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta: Almost every current Braves player is scheduled to sign autographs at some point during the two-day event, including John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson, Mark Teixeira, Jeff Francoeur, Brian McCann, Kelly Johnson and, yes, non-roster invitee Javy Lopez.
Even rehabbing reliever Mike Gonzalez is on the list the Braves sent me.
Closer Rafael Soriano (he lives in the Dominican Republic), Tyler Yates (Hawaii), Yunel Escobar and Mike Hampton are among the few current players not on the list. The Braves also plan to have coaches and some former Braves in attendance, but haven’t announced those names yet.
The next question those planning to attend might have, is one for which I don’t have an answer: When will this or that particular player be signing?
The Braves don’t plan to release a specific schedule of times for individual players. I’m gonna take a wild guess and speculate it’s because the Braves want max fan attendance throughout the two-day event, rather than big crowds showing up only for autographs by a handful of players. But that’s me speculating.
Speaking of Frenchy…. Came across something I found interesting last night as I was going through stacks of reference books and industry publications in my basement office, throwing out stuff (if you live on my block and were walking your dog late last night, you could have stopped by the boxes I had at the curb and picked up any number of old Stats Inc. Scouting Notebooks, Baseball Abstracts, or 2006 and 2007 media guides for every team).
It’s a January 2005 Baseball America with top 10 prospects for each NL East team. It’s easy to forget how young Fracoeur and McCann are until you read this and realize it was exactly three years ago, and that at the time Francoeur had only 76 at-bats above A-ball and McCann had zero. Think about that.
At that time, in January 2005, David Wright had 263 at-bats (and 14 homers) in the majors for the Mets. I use him for context simply because he’s someone that obviously everyone on this blog is (quite) familiar with, and because some on the ol’ blog sometimes hold Francoeur up against Wright in attempts to point out the former’s deficiencies, since Wright is only 13 months older.
(As if falling short in most offensive categories when compared to one of the very best young players in the game is somehow terrible for Francoeur. Wright finished fourth in the MVP balloting; how many players, period, are on a level with Wright? The vast majority fall short, whether veteran players or kids.)
Anyway, getting back to the BA rankings from Jan. 2005. Francoeur was rated the No. 1 prospect in the Braves organization in that issue, followed by No. 2 Andy Marte, No. 3 McCann, No. 4 Kyle Davies, No. 5 Anthony Lerew, No. 6 Jake Stevens (then a 20-year-old lefty who’d struck out 140 in 135 innings at Rome), No. 7 Luis Hernandez (remember that “can’t miss” shortstop?), No. 8 Kelly Johnson, No. 9 Jarrod Saltalamacchia and No. 10 Blaine Boyer.
(If anything, this list is a reminder of why the Braves don’t mind one bit having a supposed oversupply at one position or another, since inevitably some top prospects aren’t going to pan out.)
The synopsis on Francoeur included this: “One of the purest five-tool players in the minor leagues. Scouts rave about the way he consistently gets the barrel of the bat on the ball. He uses his hands well in his swing and generates tremendous bat speed, which combined with his natural power should enable him to hit 30-plus home runs annually in the majors. Francoeur uses the entire field and used his season at pitcher-friendly Myrtle Beach to his advantage, becoming adept at driving outside pitches the opposite way…. As impressive as his tools may be, Francoeur’s makeup may stand out even more. Of the most competitive players in the organization, he’s a fiery team leader, which could be just what the big league team needs.”
Among his weaknesses, the report said, “Francoeur’s greatest need is to show more patience at the plate, and at this point it appears to be the only flaw in his game…. The Braves don’t want him to change his aggressive approach, but he understands that better strike-zone discipline will make him an even more dangerous hitter.”
And there was this on his future: “Longtime Atlanta officials continue to compare Francoeur to Dale Murphy, and his swagger is more reminiscent of Chipper Jones. He’s an exciting player who gives the game every ounce of his energy every time he takes the field. His natural ability and approach could make him a 30-30 man and an all-start for the Braves. Even if he’s moved at a conservative pace, he should get his first taste of the big leagues by the end of 2006.”
A couple of things jump out at us: Francoeur got his first taste of the big leagues long before the end of 2006. Hell, he’d already been on the cover of Sports Illustrated by late-summer 2005.
A 30-30 man? Where did that come from? He never stole more than 16 bases in a season in the minors, so to think he’d steal twice as many in the majors was unrealistic. His career high so far was last year’s five, and stolen bases are never going to be a significant part of his game, nor do the Braves expect them to be.
Now the other part of 30-30, I can certainly see. Francoeur hit 29 homers in his first full season in 2006, then dipped to 19 last year while he increased his average from .260 to .293, his OBP from .293 to .338 and his doubles from 24 to 40, and had his second 100-RBI season (he had 103 in 2006, 105 in ’07.
Now comes the balancing part. The Braves were thrilled with Francoeur’s development last season, with the strides he made to become a better and more patient overall hitter. He was happy, too, with everything except the power decline.
That’s why Francoeur went into the offseason determined to add some muscle through weight training and a better diet, to give him more power and muscle stamina that he could sustain over the course of a 162-game season (and with him it’s truly a 162-game season; he’s played every game for the past two years).
It’ll be interesting to see if he’s pleased with the results, since he’s had to fit his workout regimen around getting married and all that goes with that.
Francoeur knows he still needs to keep improving on his plate discipline and using the entire field, since he’s always more productive and a tougher out during those stretches when he’s staying in his approach, hitting line drives and using the whole field, not trying to pull balls over the left-field fence.
Again, it’s a balancing act. He wants to be a 30-homer guy, because he knows he can help the team by providing another legit power-hitting threat pitchers have to be concerned with (not to mention, he probably knows you get paid a lot for hitting homers). But he also wants to maintain an average between .280-.300.
With so much attention understandably directed toward the return of Glavine, the situation with Teixeira, the huge question mark in center field, and other matters with the Braves, it’s possible that much of their success could also ride on the continued development of their right fielder, who’s now the veteran of the Braves outfield, a Gold Glove winner, the team’s union player rep, and a team spokesman on many matters. That leadership is emerging, more and more. He’s made for that role.
Now, it’ll be interesting to see how the future continues to unfold for former Atlanta-area prep phenom, the can’t-miss prospect, the newlywed, the energetic, upbeat kid who so far been able to thrive despite nearly impossible expectations some have for him.
Oh, and it’ll obviously be interesting to see if and when he and the Braves come to a multi-year contract agreement that could both cement his status as a face of the franchise and possibly lift at least a little of the pressure off his sizeable shoulders.
And now, a tune…. Been listening to a lot of Replacements and Westerberg lately. Which makes me wonder how I ever go long stretches without doing so. The man’s remarkable.
”ALL THAT I HAD” by Paul Westerberg
King and queen
Full and twin
Leave the key
It’s time to move again
Brand new lease
New set of locks
This end up
Ten city blocks
I gave it up for a room in a box
And I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
I’m doing fine
I’m doing fine
Life is simple or it’s impossible
You always half empty
You ain’t never half full even now
Me and yesterday hopped on a track
I swear to God neither of us ever coming back
And I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
I’m doing fine
I’m doing fine
And I gave all that I can
Every time
Didn’t follow my dreams
I lost the map
I live my fantasy instead
Till I found it was a trap
Gave a life, got a living
Hey that’s all right
All is forgiven
I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
I gave all that I had
It’s taken some bad times to show me
Comments
By cricket
January 4, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
1st?? india is giving real fight to australia in the cricket match, life is good. can’t wait for the baseball season to start.
By brian
January 4, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
first?
By 22oz
January 4, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Someone should tell Francoeur that he should just use HGH. That’ll give him more time to do other things.
By NCBravesFan
January 4, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Great blog DOB. Sure am glad the cold is starting to ease up a bit!
I love what Francouer has been able to do in such a short period of time. It was good to see him focus on being more patient at the plate and he had a lot more quality ABs as a result last year.
It would have been nice if he had been a little more aggressive at the plate in some situations last year, especially since Andruw Jones wasn’t picking up the slack. Singles to right are good, but sometimes the #5 guy needs to pick a spot to drive pitches when runners are on.
My guess is that’s part of the learning process and he’s gonna have a monster season this year.
By brian
January 4, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Congrats on the big Kansas win last night.
Just a question - do you think that signing a big multi-year, multi-million dollar contract will take pressure off of Frenchy or will it add to the pressure to perform? It seems to me Francoeur is as hard on himself as anyone else. If he hits a slump and has the big contract, I would wonder if he would try “too hard” to right things and start pressing
By Thrillhouse44
January 4, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Just tell Francoeur to stay away from supplements provided by McNamee. Have you seen Francoeur this offseason? How successful has he been adding muscle?
By brian
January 4, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
cricket you beat me
By Anders
January 4, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
DOB
(As if falling short in most offensive categories when compared to one of the very best young players in the game is somehow terrible for Francoeur. Wright finished fourth in the MVP balloting; how many players, period, are on a level with Wright? The vast majority fall short, whether veteran players or kids.)
Thanks DOB, was it good for you too? Anyone got a cigarette?
By NorthBeachScott
January 4, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
DOB Care to share any more of the 2005 perspective on McCann, Salty, Marte, KJ, and Boyer. I suspect that it will demonstrate just how difficult it is to project, especially in Marte’s case. Thanks and Happy New Year!
By cricket
January 4, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
brian, yes, I did, sorry brother. but i must say i used only B12 shots to get the 1st post in. abt frenchy, other than all the points mentioned above, i think his output will also be affected by his position in the lineup and the hitters hitting before and after him. As of now, looks like he will start hitting before McCann and may drop behind him based on how McCann does.
By JMar
January 4, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness Hampton won’t be at the FanFest. I’d hate for him to blow out his elbow signing autographs.
By Jeff
January 4, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
I like Francoeur if he’s hitting sixth. He seems to pile up numbers without winning games.
By Erik
January 4, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
I find all of this “Francoeur was born to lead” stuff kind of funny. In his senior year of high school, he didn’t bother to run for class president. A skinny computer nerd named Dan Tippetts won instead. Runner-up? Katie McCoy, the future Mrs. Francoeur.
But a sports team? Sure. He’s a leader all right.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
January 4, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Jeff Francoeur will be 24 next week (Jan. 8th) and he already has a gold glove , two one hundred RBI seasons and his picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
The young man has done his iron man thing since October 1st 2005 (326 straight games and counting). It is simply amazing what he has accomplished so far. We are lucky to have him and Frenchy will be a fixture in RF for many more seasons in Atlanta.
By Marvin
January 4, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
You mean none of those effervescent Disney employees are hot babes?
By McFann
January 4, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
I vote Francoeur hits sixth. (McCann fifth, of course.) About his contract, yeah, that should be int’resting. The Braves tried to give him one last year, but Jeff’s agent wanted more money (then McCann got??). We’ll see what happens. Personally, I’d sign Johnson before I’d sign Francoeur, for two reasons:
1) He walks a lot more, he’s more patient, and
2) He’s my sister’s favorite player.
Plus, IDK, Francoeur tends to get on my nerves. I don’t why. Maybe it’s ‘cause every talks about “how great” he is. Psh!! Whatever.
DOB, you still haven’t told me why you think I was acting like the lost son of the Brady Bunch. I can’t stop unless you tell me…
By JJean
January 4, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Not only is Francoeur a talented young man but very courteous person also. Whenever he comes to his childhood ball field and all the kids gather around he takes the time to talk to them and sign their balls or shirts and always has that wonderful smile. He melt even the grandmothers hearts.
By Savannah Guy
January 4, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness Hampton won’t be at the FanFest. I’d hate for him to blow out his elbow signing autographs.
That’s funny.
By JC FROM UT
January 4, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
DOB: Have there been any wispers of a long term contract for JF? Also what do you think about MLBTraderumors remark that if the A’s chipped in about 3 million the Braves may have some interest if they had to only give up a fringe prospect.
By flange1
January 4, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Agree on Frenchy. I think he will move it up another notch in 08. If McCann can improve as well and Tex can have a typical Tex year, it will go along way to replacing AJ and Rent..
On the last blog, you mentioned that the Braves would still get another CF. 2 questions:
WHO?????
Will they keep 4 OF or 5?
Thanks!
By cricket
January 4, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
McFann, i bet nobody here is surprised that you want frenchy to bat after McCann and i think the order of these 2 guys in the lineup will change multiple times during the season. Anyway, when McCann is not catching, frenchy will bat 5th. BTW, i like KJ but frenchy should not even be compared to him. he is and will prove to be a much better player.
here’s a profile of McNamee
By Admiral Tom Glavine
January 4, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Note To Jeff Francoeur:
I know David Wright, I served with David Wright and you sir are no David Wright.
By Savannah Guy
January 4, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
The Daily Buzz (Fly on Wall Report No. 036)
Mr. Fly’s off-season vacation in sunny central Florida was rudely interrupted by snow. That’s right, snow! It got so cold in the groves that all of his little orange blossom buddies disappeared. The horrors! No reason to stay there.
So, being a sleuth reporter, Mr. Fly decided to stay inside and do some work on hot-stove matters but was intrigued by the global warming talk. Mr. Fly knows about climate change. He once hitched a ride to Kyoto with some friends who, due to national security, cannot be named. It was a one-sided affair. Fly then sifted through many scientific articles. Anyway, he filed this report to clear up some popular misconceptions:
An Inconvenient Sleuth
Humans really are funny. They are so predictable, gullible and devious at the same time. They’ll go to any extreme to convince their masses of something when it benefits their eco-socio-political agenda.
The masses in turn, go to every extreme to convince each other and themselves that they know the truth about a very complex issue when they really just want to belong to a group. Makes ‘em feel safer. Makes ‘em feel smarter too. Many flies do that, but it’s usually around food. Food makes better sense than arguing about global warming, right?
Global warming is not about politics. It’s not about social engineering or socialism. It’s not about science. It’s not about economics. It’s not about religion. It’s not about redistribution of wealth or reducing CIA funds and reallocating those funds to global warming groups at a time when international intelligence needs all the help it can get to fight terrorism. No, it’s not any of these. It’s actually about all of these things.
The earth is in a warming trend. That is an undisputed fact. Unfortunately that fact has been twisted and usurped for a multitude of reasons by those who want you to think that humans are the cause of it. They stand to gain by that misinformation.
My human friends, climate change should not be a political subject. We should have a non-controversial and scientific/historical understanding of climate change throughout history…and focus on what we might do to be more comfortable and productive during this natural, cyclical phenomenon.
Did you realize that solar flares and eruptions on the sun can cause the earth to warm? Yepper. It has, many times.
The same “scientists” (which are not climatologists) that are wringing hands about the sky falling are the very same bunch that tried to divert funds to their own organizations several decades ago by announcing an ice age.
Of course, that didn’t happen and their ploy didn’t work. If we buy into the nonsense of man’s influence on climate change, we waste time, energy and trillions of dollars while creating unnecessary fear and consternation over an issue with no scientific justification.
This inconvenient (unfortunate) sham is a harmful diversion to true environmentalists that want clean air, water and soil. Global warming overshadows all of the good work some groups are doing in those areas. Kyoto accords are designed to punish America by insisting they cover the majority of costs to clean up the world. Massive redistribution of wealth and power would appease them it seems.
As always in the modern world, America is blamed for and expected to pay for everything. By the way, that’s not politics, just world news…if you follow that sort of thing.
So, my all too-human friends, before you contemplate joining the Gore Church of global warming, sell your coats and join in a chorus with the carbon credit crowd, just remember…the Inconvenient Truth had zero climatologists willing to perpetuate the myth. Just hacks looking for political or Hollywood connections and funding for their own dubious research groups.
There is much to read on the subject for those that don’t profess to already have the complex answers that elude even leading scientists and climatologists. Before joining in the fray with people that believe humans cause climate change, take a few minutes to educate yourself.
There are many articles and scientific reports on the subject. Check it out. It’s not as much fun or as rewarding as researching baseball stats but this stuff is good to know.
Since I’ve done some detective work over the years, being a sleuth Fly and all…I have an earth-shattering, non-scientific climate prediction for you. Within a few days after the coming elections in November, if Republicans win the presidency and regain a majority in both houses, there will be a turnaround in global warming, a gradual cooling of the earth and a migration of pseudo-scientists to other, more lucrative research.
The media won’t report that change in climate. Kyoto will become just another great city to eat sushi, watch the Hanshin Tigers play baseball and have a beer at the Fenway Park public bar (Big Bosox fans there).
No crystal ball or weird science, just a little common-fly sense and multi-faceted eyes that see through the fog of propaganda. This is not about politics…just a little weather related opine from a fly. That’s all.
Brrrr…looking forward to a little global warming this spring.
By Lauren T.
January 4, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Any word on if Peter Moylan will be there? That’s pretty much the deal-breaker for me — if he’s in, I am too. :)
By N8
January 4, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
43rd?
Maybe if Frenchy wants to muscle up, he could get an injection of Lidocaine and B-12. It seems to have done WONDERS for Roger Bonds….er…McGwire…..er….Clemens’ career.
Anything LESS than 20-25 pounds of pure muscle being added by Francoeur this off-season, will be a disappointment. Both Andy Pettitte and myself, will then be forced to question his “committment” to his teammates.
Prediction: With the right training, and right ammount of vitamins being shot into his azz, Francoeur should be able to break David Wright’s HR record (what? You think Barroid is gonna hang onto it for long?), by summer of 2015. Yup. You heard it hear first. David Wright is gonna average 94 HR per season over the next 7 or 8 years, which not only will gain him the HR Crown, but it will have cost Francoeur a few MVP’s along the way. Though it’s hard to complain about a guy averaging 80 HR per season, and finishing secong.
WOW! What a couple of players the Mutz and Bravos have, huh?
OK. In all honesty. I’m very pleased with Francoeur’s “advancement” in batting average, and gaining a Gold Glove in his 2nd full season. The power numbers? Forget about it. If he is focused on being a better hitter, the power numbers will follow, and if they don’t? Who frickin cares? I’ll take a guy that does what Nomar does, any day of the week.
L8r.
By John in Tampa, FLA
January 4, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
The only thing bad about living in Tampa is my house is less than one mile from the Yankees training facility. Crap.
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Lauren, no — for obvious reasons (Australia).
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Erik, you base leadership of a pro sports team on whether a player ran for class president in high school?
Don’t know where you went to school, but at my high school the top male athletes weren’t usually candidates for student council or class prez or whatever….
Flange, not sure yet whether it’ll be four or five outfielders. That’ll depend, I’d imagine, on whether they get another CF….
As for Kotsay, if the A’s kicked in $3-4 mill, I could see Braves having interest, maybe. Wren knows what a great clubhouse guy Kotsay is, and when healthy he’s a good hitter with a little pop and still a well-above-average defensive player.
However, he’s also a left-handed hitter, same as Anderson and Schafer. So unless you’re talking about him playing every day, doesn’t make much sense. And with his chronic back problems, don’t know how Braves could count on him playing ever day.
They’d still be paying him $4-5 mill even if A’s covered about $3 mill or more.
By AdirondackDave
January 4, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
JC from UT — Could you explain what player you are talking about in the traderumors thing with the A’s? I’m a little confused… nothing new there.
By hk
January 4, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
… Daily Blog Entry totals (bar graph) for the Braves Blog and Braves & Stuff …
http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/brvstuff.htm
By armesjr
January 4, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
I think this is the year everything comes together for Francoeur, and he takes his game to the next level. He made significant strides at the plate with his discipline, which i feel resulted in a lot of clutch hits. If a certain former Braves player, could have understood the concept of “plate discipline”, no telling how last season would have turned out. If McCann is totally healthy, and plays like he did in 2006, we will have a pretty solid lineup. Cant wait till March 31st when the Braves dominated the Nationals in their new park. I will be there.
By TexasBrave
January 4, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Is Frenchy beefing up really going to help his HR numbers a whole heck of a lot? I don’t recall too many of his shots falling short because he lacked muscle. It was his increased plate discipline that caused a short fall in his power numbers. Too me I would much rather him focus on hitting to all fields, thus more plate discipline and cut down on his strike outs.
As for the batting lineup I would much rather Bobby stick with one lineup with French batting 5th and McCann either hitting 6th or 7th depending on whether KJ is batting up or down in the lineup.
I know Brian is a hitting machine but once he gets on base he is slow a foot and it takes bigger or more hits to get him in, that can kill some rallies. He only crossed the plate 51 times, (18 via his own HR) while batting 5th or 6th most of the season meaning once he gets on base it is fairly difficult to drive him in. Batting him behind Frenchy and KJ will allow him to still drive in runs extending rallies. I wouldn’t be opposed to batting him eight if one of the unknown starters that would hit in front of him has a high OBP i.e. Diaz, B. Jones or Anderson. McCann would be like our second clean-up guy with the pitcher batting behind him to bunt him over.
I know this will cut down on his at bats, but it would also save his legs some also. Again it depends on whether KJ bats up or down in the lineup and who the starters are in CF and LF as to whether to hit him 6th thru 8th. But I really believe this approach will end up producing more runs and saving Brian’s legs in the long run.
By McFann
January 4, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Braves Spring Training schedule is out!! First game is February 27 against them DAWGS. That should be fun. To bad it won’t be on TV and most likely won’t be on radio. I missed last year’s mach-up against Tech. All I know is that the Braves won. I like Tech, but when it all comes down, the Braves are first on my sports list. (Which is only two teams, so really…)
Man. That was the longest any picture of McCann was up on AJC. A whole week!! Dang. But of course, gotta have Francoeur up there. : P
Yeah, Cricket, McCann will bat fifth against righties, Francoeur will bat fifth ‘gainst lefties…that is, if all goes well with you know you. Francoeur better than…just remember who spent 2006 on the bench and still came back to hit…whatever he hit!! .272? I forget. .276!! That’s it. And he wasn’t too far behind “Frenchy” in HRs, either, my friend. But I’m stickin’ to backin’ up McCann’s playing abilities if y’all don’t mind. Course, if somebody says that “So-in-so is better than so-in-so,” I’ll deny it if it ain’t true.
By DonCoburleone
January 4, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
I think Mark Kotsay is a perfect solution to the “stop gap” problem we have in center-field right now. It would be strictly a 1 year investment, wouldn’t really cost anything but money, and he has potential to be significantly better in 2008 than Anderson or Schafer. Sure he’s an injury risk, but you have to take chances when you are a team that is ready to win now. If we could get Kotsay plus $3 mil for, say, Martin Prado, wouldn’t that be a no-brainer?
By Gil in Mechanicsville
January 4, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
DOB Begrudgingly I must offer you congratulations for the Jay Hawks’ victory over Va Tech last night. Except for the end results, it was really one of the better bowl games this year.
No use going into the could have, should have, would have because it won’t change a thing. But I will doff my hat to the Kansas defense because they made the difference.
Now baseball….. All the predictions and speculations about young ball players make you wonder some times, what were they thinking??? I have pointed it out before, you want the club to have a lot invested in you because you are given a much greater opportunity to fail.
That said, looks like batting .500 when predicting which guys are going to help the big club is not a bad average.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
January 4, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
Yes. Brandon Jones , Josh Anderson , Gregor Blanco , Jordan Schafer and Doug Clark are all left handed bats.
Frenchy and Diaz swing from the right side and are the only two returning veterans in the outfield.
Joe Borchard switch hits , but he isn’t really considered anything more than depth destined to start the season in Richmond.
This is going to sound all wrong , but it’s a reality. Replacing Andruw’s defense will be easier than supplanting his offense.
It is evident , the Braves are in the market for a defensively sound veteran right handed bat in CF.
By McFann
January 4, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave, you raise a fairly valid point. I’d rather have McCann drive in runs than bat fifth. My only beef would be that if he did bat low in the order, he’d be behind guys who didn’t get on base as much. Then I remember: we don’t have the A half of Jones anymore. If our other starters were Johnson, Escobar, Chipper, Tex, Diaz, Francoeur, and whoever in CF, then chances are, there’d be somebody on base even if McCann did bat eighth. I have to be open-minded and honest here. But it all depends on who’s in center. Perhaps the line-up should be:
2: YE
3: CJ
4: MT
5: MD
6: JF
7: B-Mac
8: That guy in center
That’s IMO. But of course, it all comes down to this:
Bobby Cox makes the line-up cards.
By KC
January 4, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
BREAKING NEWS…
All of the New Hampshire Primary votes have been awarded to David Wright.
By McFann
January 4, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
BTW, Erik, Katie is already Mrs. Francoeur. They got married on Nov. 3. Gee wiz, I thought all of you guys knew all the inside scoop on Jeff. Besides, they had that article about the wedding up on AJC for about a week.
Not so with McCann’s wedding. (I might not have known about it if it hadn’t been at our Church. Course, we weren’t in attendance. [Dang it!!] ) I mean, they mentioned the date once in the sentences on braves.com about his Lasik. But that don’t bother me. I like the fact that Brian’s not always finding ways to get his name in the paper.
Am I appearing to want attention? Sorry, and/or my bad.
By KC
January 4, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
Okay, you’ve been waiting for it (lol)! Here it is… my predictions for the 2008 Braves lineup:
Escobar: .287, 12 HR, 52 RBI, 16 SB
KJ: .290, 20 HR, 71 RBI, 13 SB
Jones (in 450 ABs): .323, 25 HR, 107 RBI
Tex: .297, 41 HR, 115 RBI
McCann: .301, 23 HR, 89 RBI
Frenchy: .291, 32 HR, 111 RBI
Diaz (if he plays everyday): .304, 18 HR, 81 RBI
CF… don’t know.
By KC
January 4, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
NEWS ALERT:
David Wright just took Michigan as well.
By DonCoburleone
January 4, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
DOB do you agree with the general blog consensus that this is the year Frenchy puts it all together and finally combines the power he had in 2006 with the plate discipline he showed in 2007? (as well as maintaining his ability to hit the ball hard to all parts of the field)…
By DonCoburleone
January 4, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Oh come on KC, at least throw in a predicted OPS with those numbers!
450 AB’s for Chipper? So you see him missing somewhere between 40 - 50 games this season?
I think you are being a little too optimistic about Frenchy and McCann… I’d say for Frenchy: .278/.342/.493 with 26 HR’s and 110RBI; McCann: .271/.334/.445 with 18HR’s and 88RBI…
One thing I’m definately curious about is how Brandon Jones does this season. He was a Top 3 prospect (top 5 at worst) in almost all major league prospect publications prior to 2007, so obviously all the tools are there…
By TexasBrave
January 4, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
McFann, True whoever hits in front of McCann needs to have a high OBP or it defeats the purpose of batting him lower in the order. Again it all depends on who the starters are going in. That is why I said that he could bat anywhere from 6th to eighth depending on who is in the line up.
I see that you have Matt batting 5th. I don’t know about that but can see him batting 6th and Brian 7th if whoever the CF is doesn’t get on base enough. Of course there is Brandon Jones to consider also and where to bat him with his probable platoon with Diaz. I can’t see him being as good a hitter as Diaz in his first full year.
The only flaw I see in my reasoning is that if Brian does bat eighth, he could be pitched around to get to the pitcher which would negate any positives that I was looking for in the first place. So perhaps the best spot would be to bat him 7th.
But as you pointed out BC makes out the lineup card. It would be great to sit down with the man and pick his brain as to why he does some of the the things he does. He has obviously had a very successful career doing what he does, but there are times I have to wonder.
By McFann
January 4, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Hey, KC, I like your predictions
BUT MONKEY
but I think you better give McCann a few more RBIs. How ‘bout you push the number up to around 91-94. But a .301 BA and 23 HR? That works for me.
Dang. I hope he stays healthy.
By Braveheart
January 4, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Good blog DOB.
McFann, it’s clear who hits fifth and who hits sixth. McFann hits 5th against righties. Frenchy hits 5th against lefties. Makes alot of sense based upon the differences in their numbers depending upon whether they are facing a righty or lefty. They are a perfect tandem in many ways. They each make up for each other’s flaws against righties/lefties. One is a more fiery, brash leader. The other more of a humble, lead by example, and by the relationships he develops with his teammates kind of leader. They each balance each other out to this fan.
Mensa Member, just saw your post at the tail end of the last blog. What you provided is a very general picture of how IQ is quanitified. What I provided was a more specific evaluation of those with higher IQ. And as I said in the post you referred to, the IQ classifications I used are just one of many ways that people evaluate IQ. I don’t think they have much value in measuring IQ. If anything, I think the classifications they used are more valuable for evaluating one’s OPS+ and ERA+ than they are for IQ. And that was precisely my point. But evidently that was lost on someone such as yourself who suffers from dullness. I wonder which concrete thinker that was….. hmmmmmm
By TennesseePaul
January 4, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
DonC: Kotsay is an interesting option. The A’s are obviously looking to “rebuild” and get cheaper so he might be available. He is owed 8 million this coming season, his last season of his extension. Mark Ellis is the current 2B on the depth chart, he has a 5 million club option for 2008 with a 250,000 buy out.
I’d imagine a trade for Kotsay would require more than just an infielder. Kotsay is a league average player. Moving him would leave the A’s outfield completely empty. Perhaps adding Blanco or Anderson to the trade would interest the A’s. They’d get a replacement that is league minimum in CF, a replacement at 2B in Prado that is league minimum, leaving them with the ability to buy out Ellis’ option year, or pick it up and trade him to maybe the Rockies who are looking for a 2B. And then maybe sending cash to the Braves for Anderson and Prado.
But I’d think the cash to the Braves part wouldn’t be that big of a deal, what with the “many millions more” to spend on next season’s payroll and all.
Or perhaps the A’s want two outfielders in return for Kotsay. I don’t know, but he’d be a good Stop-Gap. I’d be happy with him. Not really a speedster but he appears to be a pretty good hitter at the top of the line up.
By Braveheart
January 4, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
That wasn’t Chuck Norris standing behind Huckabee last night. That was David Wright posing as Chuck Norris standing behind Huckabee.
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
When Chuck Norris goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for David Wright.
By TK
January 4, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
With the A’s having a garage sale. I wonder what it would take to get CF’er Mark Kotsay from them? Then everyone keep their fingers crossed that he can at least stay healthy until June when one of the young players is ready.
By TexasBrave
January 4, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
KC, that’s the lineup I see BC opening up with also. Not what I like to see but what he will probably go with. Unfortunately Diaz will not get a full season with B. Jones a probable addition to the roster. I smell a platoon. Don’t you think if Bobby could see into the future that Matt was going to put up the types of numbers you mentioned for a full season that he would forgo platooning him?
By McFann
January 4, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I don’t see why you guys have McCann with less than 90 RBIs. Whatever…
You’re correct, TexBrave. I definitely wouldn’t have McCann, a Silver Slugger, bat before a pitcher. He should bat before Diaz and after Francoeur, I guess. (Oh, sorry, I know that would take RBIs away from Diaz…)
Braveheart, your definition of McCann’s leadership qualities are exactly the reason why I like the man so much. [And that’s what I was “fighting” with you about before Christmas. Glad you finally agree. ; ) ]
Are you perhaps using the first definition of “brash” for Francoeur? Heh, heh…true my friend. Oh so true.
By mike
January 4, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Who would win in a fight between Chuck Norris and David Wright?
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, that made me laugh. Out loud.
By Jim
January 4, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
DOB, Not to kiss up, but I think you are just about one of the finest sports writers around……..definitely the best the AJC has. Always informative, always insightful, always an interesting read. This article was especially refreshing since I just read yet another idiotic tripe article by Terence Moore (Terrance Mathis for Falcons GM…yeah, right).
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
DonC, I agree, Kotsay does make a lot of sense. And believe me, Schafer couldn’t have a better guy to listen to and learn from, if Schafer is up with the big club. Plus, I ain’t saying Kots’ wife is gorgeous, but…. Oh, my.
By Aram
January 4, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
David,
Thanks for another insighful blog. I have a question regarding the Braves interest in Mike Cameron. It seems to me his options seem to be dwindiling. At this point, I don’t consider it out of the realm of possibility that he will have to settle for a 1 year deal (Heck, Andruw Jones had to settle for a 2 year deal). If Febuary/March rolls around and this guy can be had for 1 yr, $8-9 million, do you see the Braves having interest?
By TennesseePaul
January 4, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Who would win in a fight between Chuck Norris and David Wright?
Norris would Sidekick him into a pulp, but the two and a half minutes of the beating would be decided by the judges in favor of Wright.
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
For those who are interested, Bill James projects these totals for the two young cornerstones:
Francoeur: .288, 35 doubles, 22 homers, 98 RBI, .333 OBP, .475 slugging, .808 OPS, 148 gms, 562 ABs.
McCann: .297, 36 doubles, 21 homers, 92 RBI, .360 OBP, .506 slugging, .866 OPS, 132 gms, 474 ABs.
Now, it’s beyond me how they can project only 148 games for Francoeur, who’s played every game for two seasons. But hey, whatever.
Couple more projections from James:
Kelly Johnson: .282, 30 doubles, 8 triples, 19 HRs, 76 RBI, .384 OBP, .473 slugging, .857 OPS, 147 gms, 539 ABs.
The projection for Mark Teixeira sounds about right, if perhaps a bit conservative: .289, 41 doubles, 36 homers, 120 RBIs, .382 OBP, .545 slugging, .927 OPS, 153 gms, 596 ABs.
And for Hoss: .306, 31 doubles, 26 homers, 90 RBI, .406 OBP, .542 slugging, .948 OPS, 128 games, 480 ABs.
By TexasBrave
January 4, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
DOB Just curious, have you ever seen a baseball players wife who was not beautiful? I mean most ball players have so many women falling over them that they get the pick of the litter.
By Braveheart
January 4, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Come to think of it, McFann, as a blogger, you are the anti-McCann. You are always pestering your manager for a new blog, always demanding that awards be sent to you as soon as possible, always pestering your blogmates about spelling, manners, grammar, cussing, and bloghouse etiquette. It’s kinda funny that you idolize McCann so much. You share none of the traits that make him special.
You were only on the blog for a month and got yourself a Wurlitzer - kinda like Frenchy only being up for a month and ending up on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Bet you never thought of it that way, did ya?
I’m also betting you didn’t hear Frenchy cry that the mag didn’t end up at his house a week sooner the way you pouted about Lew not sending the Wurlitzer fast enough to ya, did ya?
McFann, you are more of a mix of David Justice and Deion Sanders than Brian McCann.
Anyways, did anyone catch Jerry Rice crying about Randy Moss not paying his respects to Rice after Moss broke his record? Same ole Jerry. Same ole Randy as well. Randy should have paid him more respect I guess but that ain’t Randy. Jerry should not have cried about the supposed lack of respect shown to him by Moss. But that ain’t Jerry either.
Barry Sanders never gave a crap about awards or records or respect being shown to him. Rice might have been the better, more accomplished player overall but Sanders will always have more respect from me than Rice and Moss combined. I was very glad to see that Central Florida kid didn’t break Barry’s record in the bowl game. That’s another absurdity of the NCAA. They now count bowl stats for regular season record purposes but they don’t go back and retroactively count bowl stats prior to 2003. Absurd. Just when you think Bud Selig and MLB is a mess of an operation, you remember how clueless the NCAA is.
David Stern is fortunate he has Bud Selig, Gary Bettman, Myles Brand, Vince McMahon, and the current sad state of boxing around. Otherwise, people might actually focus upon how the NBA has been run into the ground over the last decade since Michael Jordan retired for the second time.
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Aram, I can’t see the Braves paying that much for a guy who’ll miss the first 25 games of the season for a drug suspension (theoretically, the first 25 games would be when they need him most, since inexperience is the problem with the guys they’ve got).
Also, I think Cameron will end up getting a two-year deal with someone, if not for as much as he wanted.
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, I was thinking the New York-based judges might find some reason to DQ Chuck Norris before the fight even began….
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Watched the other half of Grindhouse last night, Tarantino’s “Deathproof.” Very cool flick, with one of the better car-chase scenes since Bullitt.
And they used the 1970 Dodge Challenger, just like in Vanishing Point, the outstanding ’70s car-chase film (which I have on DVD, gotta love it).
By Lew
January 4, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Don’t know about David Wright winning New Hampshire, but Edwards is going to be within a half hour of our house tomorrow in Lebanon, NH. Might just go and listen to a real candidate speak to actual people with no TV camera in between.
Might be interesting. Haven’t seen anyone Presidential since Old Dick Nixon visited Mercer in 1974. Saw the top of his head from about 200 feet away. And lots of Secret Service Dudes. Had to make sure we subversive Hippie Types didn’t subvert or anything. We behaved. Sort of.
By McFann
January 4, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
LEW, TELL THE POST-OFFICE TO TAKE AS LONG AS THEY WANT WITH THE DRAWING!!!
UGA, YOU CANN MISSPELL MY NAME IS YOU WANT TO!!!
BRAVEHEART, YOU CANN USE THE REAL WORD FOR “CRUD” IF YOU HAVE TO!!!
DOB, IF YOU DON’T HAVE A NEW BLOG UP UNTIL FEB. 14, IT’S OK WITH ME!!!
No commas? ALLELUIA!!
Me? I’m a nobody. Just expect to see me pop up to defend me humble favorite.
Besides, you know what they say: Opposites attract.
By Braveheart
January 4, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
McFann, hope you know I’m just funning with ya. Just a lil’ rookie hazing.
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, good points about Sanders, etc. Saw Barry play several times when he was at Okla. State (we lived about 90 minutes north of Stillwater at the time), and he was always one of my favorites. Class act, and don’t you just wish more athletes cited him as a role model than some of the ones they do.
I just wish Barry had stuck around for a couple more years. Just a couple. The record book would be owned by him. Emmitt’s great, but he couldn’t hold Sanders’ jock. Only Sweetness (Walter Payton) could, in my opinion, among the backs of the past 20 years.
My all-time top 5: Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Earl Campbell.
Sayers would’ve challenged for the mythical title if he’d played longer.
By Wayne in Utah
January 4, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
WW Loved the 8:17 post!
Kotsay’s wife is a looker huh? Sounds like we need him and Kris Benson for next year. Telecasts would definitely be worth watching, hoping to catch a glimpse of them in the stands!
Hey, Brian Jordan bats righty. Can he play some CF???
:-)
By Lew
January 4, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
McFann-Don’t yell. It is not nice being a Drama Queen. I always send the Wurlitzers via Priority Mail. I do it for everyone, not just because you showed impatience. Now calm down. It’s almost your bedtime and you’ll have trouble sleeping if you work yourself up like this. Have you brushed your teeth and washed your hands?
By Wayne in Utah
January 4, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Lew: How ya been? I think fondly of my NH/UGA friend every time I walk into my office at home, and see DM hanging proudly behind my desk!
Cleaned up/out my office during the holidays. Doesn’t look like the same place anymore!
By McFann
January 4, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
McFann, hope you know I’m just funning with ya…
Yeah, [sniff]…I understand…[sob]. I deserve a little insult every now and then. [tear]
Ol’ Prime Time here cann take the rap, homey.
Ya see? I was only funnin’ ya.
By McFann
January 4, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
Lew
I was sorta kidding about all that I posted back there. I know you’re not just doin’ that for little ol’ me. (‘cause if you were, well, that would just be unfair.) I’m calm. But being compared to Francoeur is pro’bly the “meanest” thing anybody’s ever typed to me. LOL
Just finished brushing and all that. And I only asked about the Wurlitzer because I’m so excited to see it…especially after seeing the drawing you sent via e-mail.
By Braveheart
January 4, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
McFann, you’re kinda right about opposites attracting for fans and their favorite players. I’m a loudmouth on here but alot of my favorite players have been the Willie Randolph, Edgar Renteria, Barry Sanders types …… guys who just quietly went about their business with an understated and underappreciated approach. Growing up a Giants fan, I was always amazed with Lawrence Taylor, never could take my eyes off him, but always loved Carl Banks and Harry Carson more.
DOB, I also wish Barry Sanders had played a few more years. I was angry with him when he so mysteriously stepped away all of a sudden. A few years later, I wished that he would have come back and jumped on the Patriots bandwagon and gotten himself a ring. But that wasn’t Barry. Now, almost a decade later, I think it is even better that he doesn’t hold the records. It sets the perfect example for children looking to idolize an unselfish athlete.
If Barry played behind that Cowboys offensive line with Aikman, Moose, Irvin, Novacek around him, Barry would have averaged 8, 9 yards a carry.
By SNIPER-69
January 4, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
The braves will finish 3rd again. Another shoulda woulda coulda kind of year.
By brian
January 4, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
everyone is worried about CF it looks like. Francoeur holds the key to CF. No he is not going to play CF, but if he can continue his maturity with his .280+ average and displays his power again (30+ HR) he will more than compensate for the loss of Andruw with his progress. Frenchy has to be a solid #5 hitter. With our current CF candidates we then would only need solid defense and decent average - the CF would be our #8 hitter.
we are not going to acquire a solid #5 or #6 hitter to be our CF. Therefore Frechy has to continue his progress and McCann has to have a solid season. Tex be Tex. Chipper stay healthy. No drop off from Yunel or KJ.
By TNScott
January 4, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
DOB Here’s my Top 5 car chase movies or car chase scenes that I’ve seen(Pre 80’s The Golden Age of Car Chase Movies).
By uga-brave
January 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
been reading a lot and not posting much.
savannah guy you are right. the polar caps are melting on mars and the last time i checked there are no martians driving SUV’s. solar flares.
i have just about had it with all this pandering toward mcFann.
kid or no kid, it is getting annoying.
i know i am not alone on that opinion.
gil, i thought of you last night, va tech’s qb’s have cost them the last two bowl games. three second half picks against my dawgs and the debacle last night.
i know you will be happy to see glennon go.
as for DOB’s post about francoeur, i agree on his leadership, fire, and gumption. i just dont see that swing holding up.
when HOSS came up you could tell. always had that smirk on his face that he could do it. swing was right, never off balance. dont matter abot age, it is about talent.
francoeur has got the desire, and he will become a very good baseball player. heck he already is but a star i dont know. guys like arod, howard, fielder, wright, were very good in their third year.
this is the year when we discover if he is a cornerstone kind of player. he plays a position that demands it. if you dont think so compare hs stats to the underated cory hart in milwaukee, harts stats are pretty much better in every category.
By brian
January 4, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
agree UGA Brave - I think we find out a lot about Francoeur this year. We will find whether he can be a leader both on the field and off (especially at bat) or whether he will be simply an above average player.
By uga-brave
January 4, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
tnscott,
the french connection and RONNIN, had the two best car chases i have ever seen. now if you add in the latest technology the matrix two was not bad either.
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
UGA-Brave, valid point about Francoeur’s swing, in that it clearly isn’t the sort of distinctive, natural and devastating stroke Chipper has always had. It’ll never come that easily for Francoeur. It just won’t. He has to work at it and use his strength, athletic ability and a sound approach to be a consistently effective hitter.
By uga-brave
January 4, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
another thing, brave-dave and i had discussions all summer long about the sub-prime thing. i said many a time that this would not only manifest in the housing market but would spread throughout the finacicial markets.
guys its on like donkey kong. citibank has lost half of their market cap, washington mutual may or may not be solvent from what i have heard. i could go on and on. i know this is not the place for it.
all i am saying there is a massive credit crunch going on.
beazer homes will probably file bankruptcy within two months.
By JeffersonBravesFan
January 4, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
What up uga-brave. I’m with you McFake. He is really p** me off. If you’re going to quit blogging on one blog and start talking sh!te on another one about the notorious DOB, then he’s fair game to me. Then you got HK posting his lame a$$ stats…I guess if 10-12 people on a blog is spectacular, well then …I don’t know what to say….Anyway, I predict 297 average from Francour this year with 38 hr and 115 rbi’s. Save this because it’s gonna happen. McFake, I don’t know any girls your age who use “sheesh” since the 70’s. Give it up dude. Later…Peace out B!Tches
By Braveheart
January 4, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Ronin was a recent movie with great car chases. Always enjoyed the Dukes of Hazzard car chases. French Connection was pretty cool as well.
It’s kinda hard for kids these days to appreciate good movie car chase scenes because they play Grand Theft Auto all day. When you can play a game all day and night where you load up on your weapons and intentionally hit cop cars or intentionally shoot an innocent pedestrian right in the middle of the street in broad daylight right in front of a cop just so you can get the cop to chase you and then go and make sure you smack every cop car until one of the cops gets out of his car and then you run into his car and steal the police car and then you go barricade yourself in a building and engage in an all day shootout with the entire police force with all the weaponry you have amassed for the express purpose of engaging in this gory and bloody shootout with the entire police force, it is kind of hard for a kid today to appreciate a good movie car chase scene. With that level of detail, I think it is safe to say I have played the game a time or two myself.
Although not a car chase movie, I have always loved that old Clint Eastwood move called Coogan’s Bluff. Great manhunt/foot chase movie.
By uga-brave
January 4, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
brian,
i got a hunch he will do pretty darn well. the guy has never failed at anything.
if he makes the adjustments? from a baseball observers take ” THE GUY HAS GO GOT WAY TO MANY MOVING PARTS” baseball americas read. ” THE GUY HAS TREMENDOUS TALENT BUT HITS AND LUNGES OFF HIS FRONT FOOT TOO MUCH WHICH TAKES AWAY FROM HIS ABILITY TO DRIVE THE BALL THE OTHER WAY”.
they go on to say he will be one of the top three defensive right fielders in baseball.
By Edo River
January 4, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Is Frenchy starting just another version of AndrUw’s career? (not to mention, he probably knows you get paid a lot for hitting homers). and then there is HGH to help this knowledge along. Best of Luck Frenchy.
By David O'Brien
January 4, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
TNScott, after much thinking (and looking through the ones I own), I’d go with these for brilliant chases: Fren