AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > August > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe Bradley Jinx can’t stop Francoeur
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
I was getting worried. I’d written a little something about the greatness of Jeff Francoeur — it ran in Monday’s AJC — and usually what happens after I write something like that is the guy goes 0-for-50. See, I have this reputation.
Our copydesk people used to expect whatever college basketball team I ranked No. 1 to lose its first game, which happened, believe it or not, three times in the ’80s alone.
And you might recall a certain World Series when, after Game 2, I wondered how the ‘27 Yankees might match up against the unbeatable ‘96 Braves. (Those Braves, you’ll also recall, didn’t win another game, making me the toast of the New York media over the winter.)
Sure enough, Francoeur responded to the Bradley Treatment by having a lousy (for him) game Tuesday. He didn’t hit a home run. He didn’t throw anybody out. He actually made an error. Just as I was starting to wonder if the old mojo was working once again, Francoeur had a big Wednesday. He hit a homer. (Also a triple.) He threw out Odalis Perez. And I felt altogether better.
Even I can’t jinx this guy. He’s too good.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Quick Hit
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By Brian
August 18, 2005 06:19 PM | Link to this
Just give it a little more time. :)
By Jerry Holcombe
August 18, 2005 07:02 PM | Link to this
Mark, I would request that you not tempt fate on this one. This might be like dispensing medicine. If it doesn’t work right, they might up the dosage a bit. Maybe you shouldn’t “up the dosage” and right a lot about the kid.
By T Robb
August 18, 2005 10:50 PM | Link to this
Like comments on the blog, the mojo just took a little lag time before it appeared.
By Brian
August 18, 2005 11:23 PM | Link to this
Yep. And he goes 0 for 4 tonight. You definitely may have written this one too soon. :)
By GT
August 19, 2005 02:40 PM | Link to this
Mark, you were the first writer that noticed Tech might have a good basketball team two years ago. It is a lot harder to pick winners than losers, there are so fewer of them. Frenchy is going to be the next Joe Dimaggio. If he doesn’t blame it on me, but he is and that’s the facts.
By Gene Phillips
August 20, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this
Mark, the jinx is not because of you. I believe it is “The Curse of Jane Fonda.” The Greek figure, Sisyphus is doomed to roll a boulder to the top of a hill where it rolls back down. The Fonda version of this curse allows the Braves to roll the boulder almost to the top, where it stops cold. I think that it will take powerful magic to remove her lingering presence.
By HAROLD LEE SCOTT
August 24, 2005 01:32 PM | Link to this
MARK, YOU ARE RIGHT ON TRACK THAT FRANCOEUR IS GONNA BE A SUPER STAR. HOWEVER MOST ANY SUPER PROSPECTS AS THEY ARE TESTED AS THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN TESTED BEFORE WILL RUN UP AGAINST THINGS LIKE THE TYPE PITCHER HE WAS FACEING WITH THE CUBS THE OTHER NIGHT, BUT I THINK HE ONLY NEEDS TIME TO ADJUST AND HE WILL OVERCOME. I DO THINK HE HAS THE STRENGTH, SPEED, POWER, BATTING EYE, BUT MORE THAN THAT A GREAT COMPETITIVE SPIRIT AND HEART AND SUCH DESIRE AND DETERMINATION TO BE THE BEST HE CAN BE, THAT YOUR FAITH IN HIM IS RIGHT BECAUSE HE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE HIM THE BEST. AND HE HAS SUCH A GREAT PERSONALITY AND IS A GREAT TEAM PLAYER AS WELL. SO YOU ARE RIGHT ON TRACK.
By op
August 24, 2005 07:18 PM | Link to this
Now Francouer has to overcome the Sports Illustrated cover jinx in addition to the Mark Bradley jinx? This may be his greatest accomplishment to date, if he is successful. Take heart, however…the jinx appears to still be occupied with torturing Nomar…maybe it won’t notice our #7.