Is Jeff Francoeur Coming Out of It?
Jeff Francoeur is showing some signs of life. Frenchy went 4 for 5 raising his season average to .233. He drove in 2 and scored 2 in Atlanta's 11 to 5 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
I admit, I have had my doubts about Francoeur for some time now, even since last year. I was not, nor have I ever been, a huge fan of Jeff's, honestly. Cynics would say it's because of jealousy. Not so. It's a desire for the Braves to do well and for them to make it to the postseason and bring another championship to Atlanta. Nothing more.
Honestly.
The whole "local boy done good" thing is great, as far as it goes. And it's gone far enough, I think.
My view on team sports is this: If one part of the team isn't performing well, then replace it with a part that IS performing well. Simple as that. When Francoeur was sent to Mississippi earlier this year, I thought, "Well. About time. He needs to get his head on straight and come back mentally healthy."
Injuries forced his return a scant three days later, however. And despite this upsurge in production, I still feel that Francoeur, and the Braves, would be better served were he to spend more than three days in Mississippi (or Richmond, or wherever the Braves need to send him to get his swing back).
The Braves have, to this point, (and I hesitate to use this word, but if the shoe fits. . . .) coddled him and it is high time for some tough love. If the Braves are truly finished this season, and they've given up an a comeback, (being 11 games behind the rival New York Mets), then perhaps its time to send Jeff out to fix his swing and bring up some younger talent to cut their teeth on major league pitching.
Of course, the Braves will do what they need to do to make this franchise the most competative they can be. I applaud Frank Wren for doing a good job so far as the new GM.
I just wish he'd take the kid gloves off when it comes to Francoeur.
I admit, I have had my doubts about Francoeur for some time now, even since last year. I was not, nor have I ever been, a huge fan of Jeff's, honestly. Cynics would say it's because of jealousy. Not so. It's a desire for the Braves to do well and for them to make it to the postseason and bring another championship to Atlanta. Nothing more.
Honestly.
The whole "local boy done good" thing is great, as far as it goes. And it's gone far enough, I think.
My view on team sports is this: If one part of the team isn't performing well, then replace it with a part that IS performing well. Simple as that. When Francoeur was sent to Mississippi earlier this year, I thought, "Well. About time. He needs to get his head on straight and come back mentally healthy."
Injuries forced his return a scant three days later, however. And despite this upsurge in production, I still feel that Francoeur, and the Braves, would be better served were he to spend more than three days in Mississippi (or Richmond, or wherever the Braves need to send him to get his swing back).
The Braves have, to this point, (and I hesitate to use this word, but if the shoe fits. . . .) coddled him and it is high time for some tough love. If the Braves are truly finished this season, and they've given up an a comeback, (being 11 games behind the rival New York Mets), then perhaps its time to send Jeff out to fix his swing and bring up some younger talent to cut their teeth on major league pitching.
Of course, the Braves will do what they need to do to make this franchise the most competative they can be. I applaud Frank Wren for doing a good job so far as the new GM.
I just wish he'd take the kid gloves off when it comes to Francoeur.
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