ajcsportstalk

By fanoffrenchy

July 6, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

He should stay down the required ten days that he was sent for, get his batting average back up to what he is capable of and used to, spend the all-star break relaxing and regrouping since he clearly never rests, and then come back to atlanta to do what he does best. We need him to add some life back to the line-up that he has been known for for so long. He will get it back together and with his heavy bat back in the game, just maybe the bravos can pull some magic for the “second half” of the season.

By gobirds42

July 6, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

go as planned…after the break. let him build up all the momentum he can down there

By Doug

July 6, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Francoeur should be kepped down the minimum 10 days. Having one great day is really good, but having sustained success is what we need.

BravesInfo

By jth

July 6, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

I think it is great this fast success he is having. Frenchy has got the talent, no question. I just hope these comments he has supposedly made are not true. The Braves are about the team and never about one player. He was not getting the job done up to his own or the teams expectations and a change had to be made. I guess they could have put him on the bench and try to work out his problems there but that seems to be defeating the purpose. Does he deserve to be sent dowm. Good Question. There are a lot of major league players playing everyday who dont have the numbers that Frenchy has right now. I must say, that as a lifelong Braves fan, it was getting tough watching his at-bats, especially with men in scoring position. He is too good a player to struggle so bad in those situations. This is just a slight bump in the road. I predict he will come back to Atl. on a tear and finish out the year strong. The Breaves need him desperatly and I hope he knows that.

By BravesLover

July 6, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

I’m not inpressed that he is hitting double A pitching. Let’s see ten days in double A then ten days in triple A and see where he stands. The Braves are 2-1 without him and I’m much less frustrated watching him flounder and whale. We even have a right fielder now that can go get the ball hit to the outfield. Nope, I’m not missing him a bit.

By sharp

July 6, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

He was on the verge of breaking out of it here. Another game or two then get him back here.

By robert

July 6, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

I THINK IT WAS A TOUGH BUT THE RIGHT DECISION TO SEND JEFF TO MISS. WHERE HE FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THE COACH THAT HE GIVES ALL THE CREDIT TO FOR GETTING HIM TO ATLANTA. HE NEEDED A BREATHER FROM THE PRESSURE AND SELF INFLICTED STRESS. I’M JUST LETTING EVERYONE KNOW THOUGH TO WATCH THE #### OUT WHEN HE GETS BACK. A HE FEELS THE WAS DONE WRONG, B HE FEELS HE WAS DONE WRONG, AND C, HE’S P** OFF. JUST IN CASE YOU CAN’T TELL BY HIS LOFTY .583 AVG THUS FAR. SO START FEELING SORRY FOR OPPOSING PITCHERS IN THE SECOND HALF.

By Cooper

July 7, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Three weeks min.

He needs to prove he can hit consistently and lose all self doubt. No matter what he said you know he was doubting himself as the season progressed.

Better yet let the mgt down in AA decide when he should come back.

I think it was foolish of Wren to tell JF there was a time limit on his time in the minors.

That sends the wrong message and trivializes how much work JF needs to do.

This season is just about lost so rushing JF back only to see him do a dead cat bounce is not doing him any favors.

By Bravesfan

July 7, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

Pendleton must go.

By Darren

July 7, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this

I think it was BS to send him down. I just thought he should have been benched for a little while so he could get his head together.

Now that he’s tearing it up, get him back up here, and quick1!!

By Dwayne

July 7, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this

Sometimes a little humility can make a world of difference. I want to see the player who can up three years ago, the guy who was so exciting you did not want to miss an at bat. In fact, it’s not just limited to Frenchy, the entire team needs a good kick in the butt and come out with some more intensity and fire in the second half. This team has taken on Bobby Cox’s attitude (laid back and no sense of urgency) I’m sorry, teams that are hungry win, teams that are laid back, play like it.

Case in point, the Tampa Bay Rays—-they sure do remind me of the 91 Braves.

By i love jeff

July 7, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this

yes. Frenchy was in a slump, but he deserved to be treated better. It was almost his 3rd anniversary in the majors and if you look at his numbers throughout his major league career they compare to those of dale murphy and chippers.
It’s not like Frenchy didn’t notice he was in a slump… he was starting to get his swing back and they should of just rested him a day or two… Frenchy who was brought so much to this team deserved more than a three minute talk that let him know he was being sent down.. he should have been warned or told that it was a possibility… Hopefully he’ll be back soon so all his fans can cheer him on again because his true fans know what he is capable of… Frenchy needs to just come back strong and do what he does best… and other than that pendleton needs to replace bobby cox ASAP! GO BRAVES!

By Frustated

July 7, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this

Why has nobody said the obvious. Terry Pendleton has never been credited with helping a hitter. They are on their own. Our minor league coaching is great but Terry Pendleton is worthless. Lets fire Pendleton.

By D'Andre Williams

July 7, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this

stay with the plan. Lets keep building up his confiidence. I wonder is he still using his new stance.

www.forum.braveselite.com

By Eric C.

July 7, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this

My Observations from Trustmark Park

I was at the M-Braves game this evening. Jeff was great offensively and made an outstanding catch on a sinking liner in short right field. 3 of his 4 hits were smoked. More importantly, he really seemed relaxed and smiled quite a bit throughout the game…in contrast to the picture being painted that he is feeling snake-bitten. The only blemish was the final AB…he came up as the potential tying run in the 7th with 2 outs and didn’t come through. Overall, he is playing his heart out.

Matt Diaz struggled early but ended up looking really good…made a long run for a put-out on pop-up in short left field and had a couple of good hits with 2 rbi and 2 runs scored.

By Carpetbagger

July 7, 2008 6:11 AM | Link to this

WOW… Hometown boy does good! He has been babied so much… I hope this dose of reality (not performing) gets into his craw and he is mature enough to learn from it. Welcome to the “real” world, where if you don’t perform, you get sent elsewhere. If he can’t adjust… another job seeker in the workplace. That alone should be incentive enough for the “babied man.”

By Joseph

July 7, 2008 6:15 AM | Link to this

Why was Andruw Jones never sent down to improve his batting average?

By Greg

July 7, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this

He’d probably get a lot of hits in a Little League game, too. Maybe what we should do is let Mike Hampton rehab by throwing pitches to Francouer. At least then, he’d be facing a veteran pitcher who knows that Francouer will get himself out. But the best solution is to give him a couple more days at AA, then move him to Richmond and make him face the best pitchers on the other team only. Have him pinch hit only when the opposing pitcher has plus stuff. I’m not impressed that a three-year Major Leaguer is putting up numbers in AA.

By Bravo

July 7, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this

Joseph…

Andrew Jones wasn’t sent down because the Braves were WINNING.

By Cheif Knockahoma

July 7, 2008 6:46 AM | Link to this

I find it a bit sad that people are calling for TP or, heaven forbid, Bobby to lose their jobs. They’ve had pretty successful careers, respectively, and I think they deserve a little bit of leeway. As for Jeff, every major league career has ups and downs, and I can only hope that fans will be supportive of him when he comes back to the majors. Truthfully, we need him on the team, whether or not he’s 75% of what he should be.

By Fan since 66

July 7, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this

You folks that said that he was getting his swing back must not have watched the Phillies series. That was some of the worst swings I have ever seen a major league ballplayer take. He looked clueless and lost and then whines that he was mistreated when sent down. Cox overmanages, Pendleton cannot teach hitting, and there is no fire in this team.

By R1U

July 7, 2008 6:52 AM | Link to this

Mickey Mantle was sent down and if his dad didn’t kick him in th a** for whining, there may have never been a Mickey Mantle. He then tore up the minors insanely—-they HAD to bring him back. I pay good $$$ to see a baseball game. Frenchie was stinking up the joint especially with bases loaded. If he had delivered ANYTHING in those ABs we would be a lot better in the standings than we are now. HE KNOWS IT!!! or he wouldn’t be an athlete. Go Braves - knock’em dead Frenchie in the 2nd half!!!

By Adrian Devine

July 7, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this

This will build Frenchy’s confidence some, but AA pitching is not the big leagues. Hopefully, he is working on his swing mechanics with “Hand Grenade” Wellman.

By JOHNNY HARRIS

July 7, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this

BRAVES HAVE HITTERS LIKE,,,,CORKY,GOTAY,NORTON,PERRY…ALL HITTING UNDER .220…WHAT IS IT THAT WREN/COX DOESN’T UNDERSTAND???

By dez

July 7, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this

Let his a## go to triple A for awhile, you homers need to stop try’in to rush him up. We can deal without him, let’s get a new pitching coach, or bring back Leo.

By Bubba3baseballhead

July 7, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

By Bravo

July 7, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this

Joseph…

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Maybe it was not in his contract Andrew was not sent down

By Bobbymahlon

July 7, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this

Also remember a pretty good player by the name of Willie Mays was sent down early in his career so being in the same boat as Mays and Mantle is being in pretty good company.

By Paddy

July 7, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

Yes it is AA pitching. But what is AA pitching? AA & AAA pitchers throw just as hard as big league pitchers. The difference is location of all their pitches. It is not soft toss. If a professional ball player gets to the AA level, an organization believes that player has a chance to contribute in the big leagues. Not all of them do, but percentages rise from 10% to 30% once they achieve that level. Many times it is harder to hit in the high minors than the big leagues because the hitter can”t count on the pitcher to be around the plate. JF is doing the right thing. Sitting on the bench in the ML is worthless. He needs quality AB’s.

By GaLiberal

July 7, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

Francoeur’s a whiny little baby that needs to get a perspective. Clearly, sending him to AA ball was a disciplinary action to get him to respect what he has in the bigs and his teammates. Hell yes he should tear up AA ball teams. Going 1 for 4 isn’t exactly what I expect from a major talent. But then maybe Francoeur’s not a major league talent; just a major league mouth. No wonder he likes George Bush.

By WFC

July 7, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this

R1U: thanks for the comment on Mantle. It was a very comparable situation to Francouer’s. Mantle’s head was messed up with all the hype about being the “next Joe Dimaggio.” Mantle was sent out and whined about it. Mickey’s dad, Mutt, visited him in the minors and basically told him to hang it up, come home, and get a job. Tough love. The rest is history. This is Mantle’s own version of the story. Hopefully, Jeff’s dad is as tough as old man Mantle was.

By Barnesy

July 7, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this

Did anyone here think he couldn’t hit Double A pitching? The message to Frenchy goes way beyond that.

By bum5Phillips

July 7, 2008 7:42 AM | Link to this

Do liberals bring George Bush and blame George Bush for everything? I guess global warming is why Francoeur can’t see the ball also……….Darn GAliberal

By Disgusted

July 7, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this

Perry hitting .143 in the Bigs(only because of and out-of-position first baseman last night) Francoeur hitting .234 in the bigs.

Francoeur hitting .538 against “easy” minor league pitching. Perry hitting .302 against the same minor league pitchers who have aparently never played the game before.

Maybe its time to send Perry down and let him work out his swing for a while.

By tim

July 7, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this

Hey GaLiberal….this is a blog for baseball. Why not post your trash talking politics on a liberal blog.

Francoeur is suppose to be a professional. Then he should act and talk like a professional. Maybe all the early success was too much for him to handle. How he handles the present situation will determine if he is really is a professional baseball player and a mature individuial.

By T Money

July 7, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

I think this is just proving a point: It’s time for Terry Pendleton to go. He couldn’t get anything out of Frenchy in the big club, and granted the AA pitching isn’t as good, but he is on a tear down there. If this isn’t a sign that there needs to be a change, and don’t know what is.

By Dan

July 7, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this

Send him down to hit AA pitching? Why not sign him up for church league softball?

By Arkie Fan

July 7, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

Several months ago my opinion was stated as “Brave pitchers are very old - we need better young pitching.” Look at the disabled list. If we can trade Tex for a few good arms, trade him. Our chances of resigning him are poor. Long term contracts that pay most of your team salary to 3 or 4 players result in a medicore team. we have 4 to 5 players that are not AA players. We have traded many young, quality players. Something is wrong when basic baseball fundalmentals are not taught - bunting, moving a runner into scoring position, hitting your cut-off man, hitting the ball where it is pitched, etc. What we used to call “Good Baseball” - keeps a team out of slumps. Lets put some exsitement back into our team. Several management changes may be needed. Time to change?

By to GaLiberal

July 7, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

must people like you bring politics into EVERY conversation? If I wanted to read more on the election or parties or congress, I’d dial into C-SPAN or read the political articles.

I come here to read about sports and get away from all that divisive blathering that the Clintons and Bushes have created. So, please, Mr. GaLiberal, take your hot air somewhere else.

By Fluffers

July 7, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

I think Francouer should stay down there as long as the Braves brass feel he needs to, and I think the AJC needs to quit with the daily (if not hourly) updates. Let the man play in peace.

By BOBCEE

July 7, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

I think he should go up up AAA after about 1 week at AA. Needs to see better pitching.

By Martin

July 7, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Let me guess, he went 2-4 with NO walks, right?

By bull-gator

July 7, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

Where in all of this is the Big League Club’s batting instructor/coach? Pendleton either can’t get through to Jeff or he’s MIA. Which is it?

By The Truth

July 7, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Good for Frenchy. What I can’t understand is why this didn’t happen earlier and why some people couldn’t understand the necessity of this happening. Now that he’s hitting AA pitching he can mentally back in the game to a point that he feels he can hit anybody pitching.

Next thing I haven’t got is the people constantly calling for TP’s head. So just because two incredibly stubborn ball players (Andruw & Frenchy) refused to go the other way or hit the ball where its pitched TP should be fired…especially since Frenchy couldn’t get right up here. The last time I checked Andruw hasn’t done much out in LA (injury aside)…I guess TP should be fired for that too. What some of the people need to realize when they call for TP’s head that the rest of the team does a good job at the plate…not 100% of the time…but take a look at our rookies and the plate discipline they have at the plate. TP’s not going anywhere unless he finally decides to go coach.

Again, good to see Frenchy killing somebodies pitching. Keep him down there his full time and bring him up when planned.

By Big Bill

July 7, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

I just want to go on record to say that I totally disagree with the move to send jeff to the minors. It shows a complete lack of respect for him. This is not some rookie who just came up this year, this is a solid, proven big leaguer who won a gold glove less than 8 months ago, and drove in over 100 runs the last 2 seasons. There are plenty of big leagues who play every day who can’t bring to the table what he can, even at his worst. The biggest thing to me is that I cannot believe Bobby Cox allowed this to happen. He’s known as a ‘Players mangager’, and i suspect this was a Frank Wren move all the way. I don’t blame jeff for feeling betrayed. This is a bad move, the wrong move, and all I can say is that I hope Jeff doesnt take his services eslewhere in the off season, but if it does, he just got another reason to look for that ‘other’opportunity.

By Vince - Gwinnett

July 7, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

Once he return we will soon find out that he is a bust…..way over-rated. He is a marginal player at best.

By Marc

July 7, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

The people who are yelling fire TP don’t know anything. If the problem was TP, Frenchy wouldn’t have gone on a tear as soon as he got there. It would’ve taken some time to correct his issues. It shows that it’s clearly the easier pitching and mental aspect that was bothering him.

The Braves aren’t hitting well because they don’t have much talent. The entire outfield is different than expected, and it’s so bad that Greg Norton is playing outfield. Injuries to Chipper and Escobar have required extensive play of defense first players (Gotay and Infante).

If you really think it is TP, ask yourself who has left the Braves and gotten significantly better as a hitter?

By Trade Frenchy Now!

July 7, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

OH THANK GOD! FINALLY! AN UPDATE ON FRENCHY!!! I was begining to think the AJC had forgot about him!

I hope today we find out what color underwear he’s wearing and what he had for breakfast not only this morning but every single day since Friday!

PS - Anyone wondering why Andruw wasn’t demoted to the minors after 10 good years and ONE bad season with the Braves (after which he wasn’t resigned) is too stupid to breathe.

Trade him now for what you can get, Wren. Maybe some other team is idiotic enough to give him the “55 million/David Wright contract” that he thinks he deserves.

By Mets Stink

July 7, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

Remember, this is AA pitching.

By Paddy

July 7, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

Big Bill, you are so far off base you just got picked off. A GM would never send a player down without first talking to his manager first. Bobby is a players manager, thats exactly why he saw the need to change the atmosphere around JF. And finally, JF can’t offer his services to any other club. He still is 3 plus years from free agency. You need to pay better attention to baseball and its inner-workings before you type in public.

By Trade Frenchy Now!

July 7, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

You people do realize there is a VAST DIFFERENCE in AA league and MLB pitching, right? Heck there’s a big difference in AAA and AA pitching. Apparently Jeff doesn’t realize this since he’s so busy patting himself on the back and trying to say “I told you so” to the big club so I guess it’s easy to see why his fans don’t realize it either.

By CaptainCaveman

July 7, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Frenchy should look at this like a vacation. We all need a vacation every once in awhile. Away from the stress and pressure of our everyday jobs. He needs to relax, rest up and get back to being that player we have seen before. He can come back with a new attitude and provide that spark that the Braves need. Long live Captain Caveman!

By Editor

July 7, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Doug: You’re an idiot.

By Bravissimo

July 7, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

Terry Pendleton has been Jeff Francoeur’s hitting coach for a full two years and now Frenchy has to go down to his former minor league hitting instructor to get straightened out. Instead of Jeff maybe Pendleton should be sent down and Phil Wellman brought up. Or maybe Joe Simpson should be made hitting coach; he seems to know all there is to know about it.

By bgvt

July 7, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

The question of why wasn’t Andruw sent down during his struggles is really annoying. For most of his years with the Braves, Andruw delivered a batting average around .260 with good power and amazing CF defense. Go look up his year-by-year stats, folks.

Andruw struggled (mightily) his last year and a half in Atlanta. However, once a player has enough major league service time, a team cannot just option him to the minors. Andruw would have had to clear waivers to be sent down. It wouldn’t have happened.

The other crazy statement is that the Braves should have “warned” Jeff that they might send him down. If they had said, “if you don’t improve in the next 10 days, we’re sending you to AA ball”, would Jeff have done something differently? Would he have worked harder? Listened more? I hope not. If the answer is “yes” then it sounds like he wasn’t working as hard (or as well) as he should have. I expect that a “warning” would have just resulted in him putting more pressure on himself and worse results.

Don’t get me wrong — I like Jeff and hope he gets out of his funk. The AA results are very encouraging. The only downside is the difference between AA and MLB pitching. Major league pitchers can execute a plan against hitters and exploit weaknesses; AA pitchers aren’t so good at exploiting weaknesses.

By Dwayne

July 7, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

What about sending Bobby Cox to the minors to work on his managing skills—and send Corky MIller too.

By sfblump

July 7, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

4 for 5 is proof enough. Bring him back. We need him, NOW.

By The GM

July 7, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Simply put Frenchy is not hitting against major league calibre pitching. Let him stay at AA for the 3 weeks and then move him for another 3 to Richmond. If he does as well there then bring him back to Atlanta. If he is brought back to soon and doesn’t perform his confidence will be totally shot and he may never recover. Remember he may have gone 4 for 4 but in his last at bat he stood there and took a called 3rd strike. There is no room for taking a called 3rd strike. You can’t hit the ball with the bat on your shoulder. That is something many of the Atlanta Braves need to learn.

By JW

July 7, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

If he gets his swagger back, all will be good! Jeff is a top notch player, and sometimes when you are young you over think your problems. Taking it out on some minor league pitching is the perfect recipe. The Braves need him and having him with a clear mind and hot bat will help get the Braves back to the top of the standings. The division is weak and is one hot streak away from being ours!

Good luck Jeff and we will see the ‘old’ Jeff real soon! Bob Horner could have learned a lesson from you when he went through the same thing. Atlanta never really became Bob Horner ‘fans’ because he refused to go to Richmond! Don’t make the same mistake - this is your town, they will love you by the end of the season! They aren’t booing, they are saying JEFFFFFF!

Get back soon and keep that attitude and that hurt in your gut, it will make you the better ballplayer!

By jason

July 7, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

eric c, how were his atbats ? That’s the question. Is he using the whole field ? That’s the point I am looking for. The main problem he had was pulling every pitch; ala Andruw Jones. He should have confidence going back to AA, and conquering it before. Are the fundementals for hitting coming back around ?

By JBL

July 7, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

I think hes absolutely horrible this season, No worse than A.Jones last season. Always swings at the 1st pitch, he needs to learn to be patient. He was drafted too young and needs to remember the basics of playing ball. Hand and eye coordination may be a good start. Best of luck, with LUCK being the word at the extreme.

By Trade Frenchy Now!

July 7, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

JW is wrong. This is Chipper’s town, Jeffy. Don’t you forget it. And yes, those were boos. But you already know that.

By ej

July 7, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Frenchy wanted to go to AA so he can get his hitting mechanics back…..was it that this could not have been accomplished at the big league level?

I think someone thought that he has contract issues….if he returns, he needs a brand new attitude about how to earn the big money…..he will be a top player if the attitude changes…..

By LivininAL

July 7, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

I know Frency felt a little betrayed by the Braves management for the send down..but I have felt a little betrayed by him on several occasions this year when he was at the plate with the bases loaded. So stay 3 weeks and come back and help win the 2nd half. I like him but I would have sent sat hem a month ago.

By MR

July 7, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Actually, he quit swinging at the first pitch and started to become more “selctive” at the plate. It cost him his agressiveness and, everyone tried to turn him into something he is not. Hopefully, his stint in Mississippi will get him back to being the best Jeff Francour he can be, instead of something everyone tried to make him. With all the “advice” he was getting, it is little wonder that his head was a mess. Jeff, see the ball, hit the ball, just like you did when you first got to the big team. Dance with the swing that got you here and, you will be here for a long time.

See you after the break Jeff.

By Keith Ervin

July 7, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

I hope that Jeff gets back to being the aggressive hitter that he was when he came to Atlanta. This is his normal style ( see the ball, hit the ball ) and he hit around .300 that first year. This was before the media started saying that he needed to be more selective and take more walks. He needs to get back to playing baseball the way that he knows how and not worry about what the so called want to be ” experts ” have to say.

By Robert S

July 7, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I’ll be at Trustmark Park tonight to watch the M-Braves in action, so I’ll see for myself how things are progressing.

My gut is he needs to at least stay the ten day minimum, and go from there.

By Jer

July 7, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Needs to stay in minors atleast a month to work on his mechanics. Major league pitchers have him figured out. He does not have the patience to lay off bad pitches. Also, needs to grow up and work on his attitude

By pendletonmustgo

July 7, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Wow. I can’t believe someone else has seen the obvious. TP hasn’t done a thing for any Braves hitter. Look at the names in the lineup and look at the pitching staff. Tell me who you thought would have been better at the beginning of the year. Why should JF have to go down to AA to figure his swing out? How ‘bout we bring up both Frenchy and the minor league manager that’s helping him and make him our new hitting coach. Andruw, Tex, Frenchy,… Too many big names to coincidently be underachieving. Chipper is doing what he’s doing on his own.

By Joe B

July 7, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Look, the kid is 24. His heart is in the right place, and he’s no dummy, but he’s not more mature than most 24-year-old guys are.

Bottom line, Jeff Francouer has enough talent to start the All-Star game, every year. For that to happen, he needs to work out his mechanics and improve his discipline at the plate. Maybe that happens in Double A, maybe not, but it sure wasn’t happening in Atlanta. This is a guy who could be playing baseball for another 15 years, so a minor league assignment now isn’t going to seem like a big deal down the road.

By RonMur

July 7, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Like it has been said before “Why do we need updates on his assignment?” If he was “feasting” on major league pitching, that would be one thing. If the pitching was top-notch, they would be in the majors. Let him work on solidifying his mechanics, regain his aggressiveness, take a break, and get his a* back to work throwing runners out from right field and getting on base with his at-bats.

By Trade Frenchy Now!

July 7, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

C’mon AJC. It’s almost noon and still no update on what color panties Jeff is wearing today.

By tiger7_88

July 7, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

AA pitching is AA pitching for a reason.

By tazz7557

July 7, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

I think he needs to spend a month or so in the minors. He should spend some time at AAA as well. Maybe 2 weeks in AA and 2 in AAA. Then bring him back.

If he doesn’t produce the rest of the year, then maybe he’s not a major league baseball player. He’s had everything handed to him… had the Atlanta baseball world in the palm of his hand.

I’m afraid he may be a victim of steroid and hgh testing. Hope I’m wrong.

By tazz7557

July 7, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

I’ll bet he wishes he signed that 5 year, $25 million deal before last season. He sure won’t make any of that up in arbitration this offseason.

Figure he makes $1 mill for last season and this season, total. Probably $2 mill next year. He needs to make $22 mill the 2 following seasons just to break even.

By charles summerour

July 7, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

Jeff got what he needed, not what he wanted. Maybe it could have been handled differently, but he is a smart guy and will understand and should get past being bitter. He was doing too much tinkering and thinking so hopefully this change of scenery will be helpful.

By KJ

July 7, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Andruw wasn’t send down becuase he was out of options. If he was, he woudld have been put on waivers. Plus, once a player reachers a certain amount of service time, the player can’t be sent to the minors without his permission.

Jeff, I believe, is in his final option year so he has no say in the matter.

By PepperPot

July 7, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Glad Jeff is doing well at AA. But it is AA pitching, not major league. He will likely see more fast balls in AA than the sliders, curves, and other assortment of pitches he gets in the majors. And he needs to stop talking about his situation. People don’t like to hear complaining from a person that is not producing. He is paid to perform in Atlanta, and if he can’t, there is no reason to keep him. Maybe this will embarrass him enough to take advice from his hitting coach to stop swinging for the fence on every pitch and concentrate on hitting the ball where it is pitched. And stop swinging at high hard ones nose high. He is a likable kid and I wish him well, but so far, he has been his own worst enemy.

By P-Town Brave

July 7, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Its obvious now folks if you haven’t figured it out…

GET RID OF PENDLETON

Blanco - 1st yr in majors Escobar - doesn’t speak much English so he helps himself at the plate Chipper - tutored by his dad when has problems Mac - see Chipper Kotsay - hasn’t changed a thing since 97 so I’d guess to say he doesn’t listen to TP

There you have it…pretty much anyone not on that list is more than likely underachieving because they deal w/ Terry…

Maybe we should bring Don Baylor back…at least he got the most out of all his hitters (including Chipper)

By Ralph

July 7, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Good for Francoeur, hope he gets a hit every time he goes to bat and hits a few homers in between, now all he has to do is to remove that humongous chip on his shoulder and he’ll do alright. He shouldn’t rip the Braves management, they stay with him longer than they should have, and he needs the Brave, much more, than the Braves need him. But, he needed to get away from the Braves coaches, especially Terry Pendleton, he has ruin few young hitters. Pendleton. Pendleton, was a a very good player and hitter, but one of the worse hitting coaches the Brave every had. I can’t figure out why in the world, the Braves organization still keeps him. The Braves players take way to many strikes, when they have two strikes, they don’t protect the plat. They have to learn the different between, a batter and being an umpire.

By jim keffer

July 7, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Bring him up as planned and stop messing with his stance/swing , or worrying about his beard etc…… he will find himself and we will be the better for it and so will he…..

By ann lewis

July 7, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Watching the Braves is not the same. Frenchy needs to be in right field where he belongs. Get “er donhe.

By BOSTON BRAVES

July 7, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one thinking that the Braves need a new hitting coach? I am not saying that Frenchy’s problems are not caused by T.P. but it does not seem like the 91 MVP can get anyone out of a funk. It’s also a shame that Chipper has to call his Dad to help him through batting issues. Andruw, Frenchy (insert other names here) TP maybe not the blame, but no help either. Bring back Don Baylor!

By AJnet

July 7, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

K-E-P-T Doug, not “kepped”

By Ryno

July 7, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

“Watching the Braves is not the same.” Yea I know they are winning more than losing.Also you don’t have to watch Francoeur get down in the count 0-2 every at bat or ground into a DP with the bases loaded.

By Imad

July 7, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Even MJ had bad games. GIve him time and back off. He is great sportman. He will pull through.

By Ralph

July 7, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

The more I watch the Braves games the more clear, its becoming that the Brave are dislike by the umpires and have zero respect, for Bobby Cox. The umpires give the impression, that they are in a competition to see who will kick Bobby out of the game first. I have seem the Braves get very few breaks from umpires, if any. They have way more tolerance, with other managers. I have seem more sorry calls this year, then pass years.

By Braves never win on the road

July 7, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Keep his sorry butt down at least till Sept . I don’t miss him one bit

By BAD NEWS!

July 7, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

I don’t like the idea of sending Jeff to AA Ball for his AA hitting coach to baby sit him for 3 weeks. Benching Jeff for a few games would have been the best option. If Carlos Beltran and Ryan Howard can go 3 fo 40 over 12 games slump while their team struggle, why not our Jeff. What’s next…are we going to send Chipper to AAA when he goes 1 for 20. Jeff is a professional hitter and he is smart enough to figure out his problem without the world critizing him, demoting him to AA and messing with him mentally. For crying out loud, stop panicking Braves fan. We are only a few games back despite the multiple injuries and 1-run loses plus the bad luck in the bullpen.

By Steven Tyler

July 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Francouer is in AA?….Me and Joe been there, done that.. Good luck.

By RWess

July 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

I believe that sending Francouer to AA was the right decision. However, I do have a problem with sending him down due to the fact that they never sent Andrew Jones down to AA and he was really bad last year. Do the Braves have two sets of standards? Also Francouer said that he had never been told that he might be sent down before they had the big meeting to tell him he was being sent to AA. He should have been briefed up front that if he did not get any better that they were thinking about sending him down to the minors to get squared away.

By Charlie

July 7, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

To all of you gripers/whiners out there-JF is not the first young big leaguer to be sent down for redoing something or other and he sure won’t be the last. A good GM would not be doing his job if he didn’t do such things. It was a sign of immaturity on Jeff’s part that he took it like he did. According to the latest stats in yesterday’s paper Atlanta is 3rd in hitting in the NL. Also third in pitching. It sounds to me like mgt is doing something right!

By Shawn

July 7, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

He should stay in the minors until he gets about 50 ABs and his OBP is consistently around .340.

I thought it was a great story that the hometown kid made it to the bigs with the braves however a 8 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio is not acceptable big league play unless he was hitting 40 plus homers a yr. and Jeff has never hit 40 plus homers.

Please stop comparing Jeff to Andruw. Andruw came up as a 19 yr old phenom that had just won back to back minor league player of the year awards. No time in his first 8 yrs did he hit .240 or less and his OBP wasn’t less than .330. Oh yeah, and he won a Gold Glove every full season with the braves for his entire career.

By Gary

July 7, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

You people calling for Pendleton’s head obviously don’t know a thing about the Braves or baseball. TP became hitting coach in 2002. Since then the Braves have been in the top 5 in the N.L. in avg. and runs scored (until this yr on the runs scored). Look at the Braves he has coached and see how they fare once they left Atlanta. What exactly has Furcal and Giles done since they left? Furcal was great his rookie season but regressed badly in 2001 until he was injured. Giles was injured most of 02, but came on strong between 2003-2005 thanks to his prowess to go the other way. Anyone remember how bad Javy and Vinny Castilla were in 2001 and 2002? They both had career years in 2003 and haven’t been on the field much since then. How about Adam LaRoche? He was bad when first arriving in 2004, but by the end of the season had very good avg and power numbers and has since then. JD Drew did much better with the Braves than any team he has played for. No one knew how good Diaz could be at the plate until he came to Atlanta. Escobar seems to be taking TPs advice about going with the pitch. Frenchy and Andruw were and are stubborn and no one can get into their heads. Chipper has tried it on both as well. Heck if Gary Sheffield can’t get to Andruw Jones then no one ever will. Obviously no one remembers how bad that 2001 team was as far as hitting goes. Boy I sure do miss Merv Rettenmund and how he never worked with hitters. And give me a break on the Don Baylor stuff. He was here for one season and the team was a veteran bunch with proven hitters. The only he did was help a young Chipper Jones coming into his prime learn how to hit for power from both sides. Chipper, as he has proven, is very coachable. He did squat for anyone else. As far as I am concerned TP doesn’t need to be our hitting coach, he needs to be our manager. Bobby needs to hang em up.

By ks

July 7, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Ok, he’s batting .530 somthing in 4 games against AA pitching. AA pitching. He needs to stay there 10 days at the very least, perhaps move up to AAA first without his AA “hitting coach”, and see what he does before he can return.

His attitude stinks, and has for at least a month, and you can tell both on offense and defense. The fact that hes p** off about this move tells me that he believes he’s genuinely better than what he actually is. Too bad Bobby Cox, or the people that actually matter, don’t.

For Mr. Francour, its a job and when your not performing up to standard, the people that sign the checks will either attempt to help you, which they are, or they dont care and you become a utility guy playing for 7-10 teams in your non-hall of fame career. Maybe you should have signed that extension last year…;-)