Jeff Francoeur's career in photos

Atlanta Braves

Jeff Francoeur's career in photos

A photo gallery of Atlanta Braves player Jeff Francoeur, who has been demoted to the minor leagues.

Jeff Francoeur's story is a classic tale of the local kid who made good in the big leagues; first with the Braves and then with the Mets, after Friday's trade. As a child, he grew up playing Little League at the Mountain Park baseball fields in Lilburn.

Francoeur went on to star at Parkview HIgh School, where he led the Panthers to consecutive AAAAA baseball championships n 2001 and 2002.

Francoeur was arguably the biggest two-sport star of the last 25 years in metro Atlanta. As an all-state defensive back and wide receiver, he also led Parkview's football team to state championships in 2001-02. In February of 2002, he signed a letter-of-intent to play both sports for Clemson.

Francoeur never made it to Clemson. He signed with the Braves after they selected him in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2002 draft, and was sent to their rookie team in Danville, Va. In 38 games, he hit .327 with eight home runs.

The next year, 2003, Francoeur was assigned to the Class A Rome Braves. He hit .281 with 14 home runs in 134 games.

Francoeur advanced steadily through the farm system, and was called up from AA Mississippi on July 6, 2005. His major league was dramatic: On July 7, he started in right field during the second game of a doubleheader vs. the Cubs, and hit this three-run homer in the eighth inning. He received a standing ovation from the crowd at Turner Field.

Francoeur bonded with another rookie phenom in 2005, catcher Brian McCann. The two were roommates for their first two seasons in the majors.

Francoeur (left) was one of several rookies who helped propel the Braves to their 14th straight division title in 2005. Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson help Francoeur hold up the title sign on the night Atlanta clinched the pennant. Playing in 70 games as a rookie, Francoeur hit .300 with 14 home runs. He also had an astounding 13 assists playing in right field.

It didn't take long for Francoeur to become a fan favorite at Turner Field. Replica No. 7 jerseys were as popular as those of veteran stars John Smoltz and Chipper Jones.

During his first two seasons in Atlanta, Francoeur was especially known for his clutch hitting. Here he celebrates his ninth-inning grand slam against the Nationals in May of 2006.

Francoeur earned his first Gold Glove in 2007. He led all National League right fielders with 19 assists and made only five errors.

On Nov. 3, 2007, Francoeur married his longtime girlfriend, Catie McCoy. The two first began dating during their senior year at Parkview.

Even though Francoeur didn't get off to a fast start in 2008, he had some big hits early in the season. His teammates gave him a victory ride after his two-run home run in the ninth beat Arizona on May 24.

Starting in mid-June, Francoeur endured the worst slump of his three-year major league career. He batted .121 in the 18 games prior to his demotion to Class AA Mississippi.

The Braves announced Francoeur's demotion the morning of July 4. That night, he was in the lineup for Mississippi. After hitting .538 (7-for-13) in three games for the Class AA team, Francoeur was recalled by the Braves as they opened a road trip in Los Angeles.

This season, Jeff Francoeur hit .191 with two extra-base hits and 21 strikeouts in his past 25 games before June 9, dropping his season average to .243 with four home runs and a .275 on-base percentage that's among the league's worst for regular starters. He is ranked fourth on the team with 25 RBIs.

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Jeff Francoeur's story is a classic tale of the local kid who made good in the big leagues; first with the Braves and then with the Mets, after Friday's trade. As a child, he grew up playing Little League at the Mountain Park baseball fields in Lilburn.

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