AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > August > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMcCann has long career ahead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
It wasn’t easy to look past Jeff Francoeur after he was whisked up from the bush leagues last season. Local kid. Natural athlete with a rifle for an arm. Rarely ever saw a pitch he didn’t like. Bubbly personality, even when he struck out, which came with unnerving frequency, triggering hope that he wouldn’t become the next Rob Deer, whose trademark had been frequent home runs, more frequent strikeouts and a depressed batting average.
Surely a candidate for Rookie of the Year, though I felt it my duty to move in another direction as the season aged. What about Brian McCann? McCann had moved into the mind of Atlanta baseball without flourish. He, too, had been called up from the Mississippi farm club, but in an emergency. Johnny Estrada had been bulldozed in a play at the plate by Darin Erstad, an Angel only by affiliation.
“I thought I’d be here maybe two or three days, until Johnny was OK again,” Brian said, “so I didn’t pack heavy.”
Well, about 14 months later, Brian McCann is not only still here, he is an All-Star catcher leading the league in hitting, which will become official once he has had a few more at-bats. By mid-September, McCann was my Rookie of the Year, with all due respect to Francoeur. While Estrada’s body was in recovery, here was McCann, a 21-year-old kid handling a bunch of pitchers, mostly veterans, day in and day out. His second game as a starter he was paired with John Smoltz, 38 years old, crusty and tough. An April-September battery.
“Did he shake you off a lot?”
“Oh, no. Before the game we had sat and talked over what pitches he’d be throwing to the hitters he’d be facing. I called the pitches because we’d talked it over, uh, for about 15 minutes, I guess,” he said.
For most of the rest of the season, McCann was the catcher. Estrada was traded for two low-rent pitchers, the widely-traveled Todd Pratt was brought in as a backup, and until further notice, catching for the Braves will be Brian McCann, still only 22, with a long career in the offing.
There is a certain solidness in his bearded face and makeup, with a 210-pound body constructed for the daily wear and tear that comes with catching in the big leagues. While last season it was a more orderly group, this year it has been a collection of guys routinely migrating between the farm and the big club. Some just reaching for a star, some who’ll never be back again. Pitching to a 22-year-old who’s aging before his time. If he has one flaw in his game, it’s handling the pitches low and wide, of which there have been many.
He started off in the game playing second base. “But I realized I’d never be a second baseman in high school or college, so I just put on the gear and started catching, and here I am.” And it must be said that he runs with catcher speed. Hitting runs in the family. His father, Howard, once coached baseball at Marshall University, now he’s a hitting coach. So Brian gets plenty of home-grown instruction. “He keeps on me, showing me what I do wrong and stuff like that.”
While he might have thought he was preparing his game for college, that never came to pass. “The Braves made certain I got college out of my thinking,” referring to his rather generous signing bonus. “I have no idea what I’d have majored in. Maybe some time later I’ll think about it, but right now I’m concentrating of being a major league catcher.”
Two years ago, playing on the Myrtle Beach farm club in the Carolina League, he was listed as the Braves’ eighth best prospect. Whatever became of the seven in front of him, I can’t say, but I suspect that one of them is his housemate. That would be Francoeur. Brian bought a house in Duluth and he and Jeff share it. Brian’s the landlord. The way it should be. Catcher runs the game, catcher runs the house.
Permalink | Comments (40) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Furman Bisher
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By Derrick
August 15, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this
I know that the average fan seems to have a huge man-crush on Franceour, but McCann isn’t going to wind up as twice the player. People love the long ball, but McCann looks like the future second best catcher in all of baseball.
By Greg
August 15, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this
I sure hope he gets those ABs to win the batting crown. Then maybe the world will wake up to the fact that Joe Mauer isn’t the only stud young catcher in the game.
By Head Coach
August 16, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this
Brian McCann is a 22 year old finished product thanks to his dad. Wow is all I can say ! He has all the potential of a young Johnny Bench. Francoeur is a young raw talent whose potential is cloudy at best. Furman you mentioned Rob Deer , I would mention Dave Kingman. I hope Francoeur far exceeds any of our expectations to the point that this time next season we can mention his name right alongside another great outfielder by the name of Dale Bryan Murphy.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 16, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this
Baseball icons in tragic accident: AJCC sadly reports today that 3 well-known baseball icons were injured in a pickup truck accident yesterday in southern Georgia, 1 fatally. A pickup truck carrying Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, bullpen coach Bobby Dews, and DL pine-rider Chipper Jones ran off a rural road and into a lake late last night. Although Cox and Dews were riding in the cab of the pickup truck they were able to escape and swim to safety, sadly, Chipper Jones, who was riding in the bed of the pickup truck, was unable to figure out how to open the tailgate, and subsequently drowned!…
By Shaun
August 16, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this
People are finally realizing that all those flashy stats (Francouer’s RBI total) don’t mean anything (hitting behind Chipper, Andruw and McCann who are on-base a lot). McCann is the real young stud of this team. I think Francouer will develop into a solid player (although I could be wrong if he doesn’t develop enough plate discipline to cost his team an out less than 70 percent of his plate appearances).
By William F. Miller
August 16, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this
Furman, you got everything right except for the “catcher’s speed”. Brian McCann runs the bases three times as fast as Johnny Estrada and twice as fast as Javy Lopez. I’d say he’s got excellent speed for a catcher and he has an excellent arm. He may also have more power than Joe Mauer. Bill Miller
By Rob
August 16, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this
hey JACKASS, i dont know what the F is wrong with you but you are seriously messed up in the head to write something twisted like that crap.
By John
August 16, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this
I can’t imagine what motivates drivel like the comments posted by Southern Jackass. Maybe he can get out there a play over 2000 games and let’s see how well he’s standing up to the daily grind. I’m guessing on his worst day - Chipper is about 1,000 times better than Southern Jackass is on his best day in his own mind (which I’m guessing is where he’s played all of his baseball).
By Mike D.
August 16, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
If the SouthernJackAss is capable of embarrassment, I suspect that’s what he’ll feel, when he realizes that he’s not particularly clever, only lacking in manners and almost as completely lacking in intelligence.
By scott
August 16, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this
To borrow a quote from Roger Clemens referring to Chris Burke’s game winning HR in the 18th: “How ‘bout the kid!”
By scott
August 16, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
To borrow a quote from Roger Clemens referring to Chris Burke’s walk-off game winning HR in the 18th last October: “How ‘bout the kid!”
By Braves Fan in CT
August 16, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this
McCann is certainly one of the most important building blocks of the Braves’ future, but so is Francouer. Can’t McCann convince his dad to work with Jeff? It couldn’t possibly do any harm and TP doesn’t seem to be able to get through to him! Somebody needs to convince him that taking a first pitch every now and then is a good thing. Especially with the bases loaded and two out.
By Lisa
August 16, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Brian McCann. He’s brought a fresh, new toughness to the team. He is the heart of the Braves of the future.
By ebineezer
August 16, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Nice article Mr. Bisher. McCain has been a blast of fresh air. SOUTHERNJACKASS, it was a joke, an old joke and pretty funny. Franceour came up with much fanfare and has had his moments. They like to show his stats of being one of the top 2-out RBI producers and it looks impressive until you see how many opportunities he has had and he becomes average at best. Makes no sense to have a hitter like Diaz at 8th in the batting order and Franceour at #6.
By Lisa
August 16, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
Brian McCann brings a tough new freshness to the Braves. He is the heart of the Braves of the future. I’m counting the ABs until he can qualify for the title!
By Ross in Pawleys Island
August 16, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
It is so easy to compare or contrast Francoeur and McCann, but why? Even Mr. Bisher can’t resist the temptation. I don’t see the point of creating media “competition” between members of the same team. Like Francoeur’s well-stated SI cover nickname, I guess its just “natural”. Both young men have wonderful potential at two different positions, both are talented in different ways, and we are fortunate as fans to have both of these local young men in the line-up. So why should one even think about creating a debate? We have enough external competition coming from Shea Stadium. As someone who faithfully watched both Francoeur and McCann as Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Mr. Bisher’s ‘bush’ league), I like ‘em both and its been wonderful to see the natural partnership that they portray to the public as Braves in “the show”.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 16, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this
Rob,..John,..Mike D.,..Moe,..Larry,..Curly Joe,..& Schemp—get a life you inbred, senseless, uneducated morons—you are the embarassment!!!…GO TIGERS!!!…
By Laverne in Stockbridge GA
August 16, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
I agree with Ross in Pawleys Island. McCann and Francoeur live, work and play together not for the sake of competing with one another, but as two young people striving to help make the Braves once again the team of the future. We are lucky to have them.
By Eric
August 16, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
Great work, Furman. “Spanky” McCann has quickly become one of my favorite players because of his quiet determination, and mature approach to the game. If he stays healthy, he’ll be in many more batting title races through the years.
For those who don’t know, he needs to get to 502 Plate Appearances to qualify for the Batting Crown (he’s on pace for about 475 right now).
The rule states, however, that for the number he falls short of 502, (let’s say 475 for argument’s sake) the remaining PA’s will be counted as outs. If he is still leading the league in hitting after those 27 (hypothetical) “outs”, he will still be considered the batting champ. He’d have to get about a .015 to .020 lead on Pittsburgh’s Sanchez to accomplish that, though.
By Eric
August 16, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
BTW, if anyone wants a humorous take on the Frenchy/McCann relationship…here are my thoughts on the subject:
http://gentlemanmasher.blogspot.com/2006/08/mighty-wingmccann.html
And please, understand that McCann is my favorite player, so this is all in fun.
By flbravesgirl
August 16, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
I’m so glad the AJC gives McCann his due. Wish the national media would wake up and notice him.
Eric, amusing stuff. Personally, I’d pass by Frenchy for McCann anyday.
By Eric
August 16, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks, FLBravesgirl…that gives us average guys hope!
By RobertH
August 16, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
I get sick and tired of hearing Braves announcers (including Lemke and the post game crew) in one breath praise McCann for being “the smartest hitter on the team”, “never wasting an at bat”, etc., then in the same breath excuse away Francoeur’s lack of discipline…”we want him to be aggressive”, etc. The game he say four pitches in five at bats…inexcuseable. If every one was as aggressive as Francoeur, opposing pitchers would be throwing 58 pitch complete games against us. A hitter can be aggressive and still be smart. Until Francoeur becomes a smart hitter, he will never improve. Here in this oh so critical stretch run, he’s hitting .221 the last three weeks. As bad as his walk/strikeout ratio was last year, it’s almost twice as bad this year…almost 9 strikeouts for every walk. As long as every pitcher knows that, when you get two strikes on him, all you have to do is throw it in the dirt six inches off the plate, he’s never going to improve.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If we’re no closer to the wild card by Sept. 1, send Francoeur back to Mississippi…making minor league money, getting minor league meal money, riding Greyhounds to Huntsville, Bham, and Montgomery…and tell him he can come back to Atlanta after he’s walked ten times. Would he be back in two weeks, or sometime around the All-Star break next year? My money says he’ll be back in two weeks. So far, he hasn’t been forced to improve because he knows he’s always going to be in the line-up.
By RobertH
August 16, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
oops…saw five pitches in four at bats.
By Eric
August 16, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
Ahhh…that’s a little harsh. If you want a wake-up call for him…bench him in favor of Diaz and Langerhans for a game or two. If that doesn’t work, give him his first games in a Richmond Braves uni! :)
By braves fan
August 16, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this
Back to the minors? Okay, some people know nothing about baseball. Langerhans and/or Diaz cannot provide anywhere near the same production as Francoeur. I think people are upset about the 10 additional HR’s and 25 additional rbi’s that Jeff SHOULD have, instead of being thankful for the 22 HR and 81 rbi’s that he DOES have. Remember Jeff is only 22. And while McCann is 22 also, he is the exception, not the rule for 22 year old hitters. I defy you to name more than a handful of 22 year old hitters with the same type of patience and hitting prowess as McCann. Even the Braves best player for the last 10 years, Chipper Jones, wasn’t as good a hitter as McCann in his first full season. He only hit .265 in 1995, and .309 in 1996, and we know how he turned out. But as for production, Francoeur is just about to pass Chipper’s HR and RBI totals in 20 fewer games. And compare him to Andruw Jones, he’s right in line with what Andy produced thru 22, even though Andy started at 19. So basically, he’s as productive as those two guys were, but for some reason he’s a big disappointment to fans who have a hard on for on-base % or slugging %. I see room for improvement. But I also see what he has already done. I’ve been to two Braves’ games this season, both ended in 9th inning walk off wins. Guess who was the hero? I don’t even have to say it.
I love McCann and Francoeur is a star in the rough. Everybody wants Frenchy to show some patience. Sounds like good advice for the fans too.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
braves fan:
“Everybody wants Frenchy to show some patience. Sounds like good advice for the fans too.”
Good point!
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
Woe!!!!!!
We sent down Thorman??? Jeez. That’s a lot of thump we just took off our bench. I realize we’ve got to keep Pena here to keep another warm body of the infile variety on the bench. But why not send down someone who can’t help this team like… oh I don’t know… Kevin freakin’ Barry!!!!!!
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
meant to say… “infield variety”
By braves fan
August 16, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
I should have said, Francoeur is about to pass Chipper’s production in his first full year in 20 fewer games played. And Chipper had the benefit of hitting in the three hole, with more opportunities to drive in runs, more plate appearances and better protection behind him, while Jeff has hit 6th for most of the year, unless McCann is out of the lineup.
By hop
August 16, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
mccann is the MAN OF THE FUTURE and the braves need to keep him long term.
the jury is still out on frenchy,but hopefully he will learn to be more patient and wait for his pitch, if not he will have a below average career
By Officer Mancuso
August 16, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this
How does Yankee stadium get torn down? Are the Italians going to tear down the coliseum? How about the White House? Is that old thing going to be replaced? Sometimes historic buildings (stadiums included) just need to stand for preservation’s sake.
By Thomas
August 16, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
Brian Mccan is proven that he is no joke. He is very good behind the plate(good throwing off runners and blocking the plate) runs like a catcher and with the injured ankle even worse.
By Thomas
August 16, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this
Brian Mccan is proven that he is no joke. He is very good behind the plate(good throwing off runners and blocking the plate) runs like a catcher and with the injured ankle even worse. His hitting 350 in 295 at bats, 15 HR, and 67 RBI, his 22 this is practically his first season, imagine what he will do the next couple of years, my prediction is (340AVG, 35HR, 88RBI)
By ATLER
August 16, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this
Now McCan is worth talking about. Hey Shaun thanks for seeing the truth about Frenchy.
By ATLER
August 16, 2006 07:22 PM | Link to this
Now McCan is worth talking about. Hey Shaun thanks for seeing the truth about Frenchy.
By ATLER
August 16, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this
Now McCan is worth talking about. A true future face of the Braves. Hey Shaun thanks for seeing the truth about Frenchy. That’s another fan that sees through the Frenchy fiasco. Hey true Braves Fans we should be venting more and harsher because we deserve better. Let rise up and start a BRAVES REVOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!
By Jordan Floyd
August 16, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
Not only is he the best catcher, but he is also a great all around player.I’m impressed with how he leads his team in batting average.He is one of my favorite players.
By Jordan Floyd
August 16, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
Not only is he the best catcher, but he is also a great all around player.I’m impressed with how he leads his team in batting average.He is one of my favorite players.
By Shaun Payne
August 16, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this
Okay, some people know nothing about baseball…But as for production, Francoeur is just about to pass Chipper’s HR and RBI totals in 20 fewer games
I do think Jeff Francouer will likely develop into a star, but I don’t think he’s quite ready offensively. It’s just funny someone would say some people know nothing about the game then later say Francouer is productive because of his homerun and RBI totals. His homerun total is pretty good, but his RBI are largely a result of batting behind Chipper, Andruw and McCann (three fairly high on-base guys) for most of the season and because he’s in the lineup virtually every game.
You talk about people being obsessed with on-base percentage (the most important single somewhat traditional stat) and slugging percentage, but it sounds like you are falling into the obsession that many have with RBI as a measure of prodution.
If you think RBI are a good measure of production, you are wrong. There’s no other way to put it. Good hitter’s drive in a lot of runs because they usually are in the lineup every day hitting behind high on-base guys and bad hitters sometimes drive in a lot of runs for that same reason.