He remembers returning in the early morning from a game in Montgomery to learn he was being called up to the majors. And he remembers sitting out the first game on a day-night doubleheader hoping he wouldn’t be called upon to hit.
But Jeff Francoeur remembered his debut later than night. It came 11 years ago on Thursday and like that night, it came at Wrigley Field. He started in right. He hit a three-run homer.
“I just floated around the bases,” he said.
There are few typical stories in the majors but Francoeur’s has veered away from most career arcs. Ten years later, having played his way through six other organizations, he found himself with his original team in the same park where he started. His invitation the spring training this year was as much a Braves courtesy as it was a gamble on his remaining talents. Yet he has become a contributor.
“Longevity, I guess,” he said of his career. “I’ve been fortunate enough to stay healthy, to battle through a couple of bad years and get back to where I want to be.”
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