Frenchie: Steppin' Up to The Plate in A Big Way

Well folks, I usually prefer to wait until the end of my blog to get to the "meat and potatoes" of what I'm writing about. I'm gonna break my own rules today.

Before I go any further though, let me stop here and say a few things.

A handful of some of my best buddies text me during Braves' games, especially when things look rough. I got a text from a buddy during one of the last two nightmare-ish games against the Bucs. It said, "It looks like a circus out there." Of course, he was referring to our recent bullpen skids.

Quite honestly, his text couldn't have been more aptly put. While I was in deep frustration at the time it dinged in my phone's mailbox, I couldn't help but to laugh. Talk about timely comedic relief . . . .

If you've been following the Braves this year, or at least the past 5 games or so, there's been times when I'm sure you were ready to throw a brick through the TV. And I don't blame you one bit.

If you don't mind though, I'd like to be that shiny, white toilet when you have the squirts at the most inopportune time. Those two extra strength Tylenol when you're head is beyond aching. That large Coca-Cola with Nu-Way ice when you're craving that bubbly sensation that runs down your throat after the first sip of a Coke.

If you're a frustrated Braves fan, Sunday's game vs. the Bucs should be all of these things to you and more. Wait. Not because it's final score was 11-1. Not because Javier Vazquez threw 6 shut out innings with 8 strike outs. Not because the recent struggling rookie sensation, Jordan Schafer, went 3 for 5 at the plate after striking out about a dozen times (not an exaggeration) since getting off to a sizzlin' hot start. Not because the Braves' offensive anchor, Chipper Jones, made his return to the line-up at a time when it couldn't have been needed more.

But because Jeff Francoeur went 2 for 5 with 3 RBI's. Two of his RBI's came with 2 outs. Huge, folks. Huge. Now, if you're the patient Braves fan who has had to endure the past handful of seasons, and especially last season, then you should be beyond excited about Frenchie's much anticipated return as a Brave. Frenchie, the organization's golden boy endured the lowest point of his young life last season. For the first time, this atheletic jock struggled. You have to remember, Frenchie had set all kinds of records in baseball and football in high school. He made such an impression on his high school that the school decided to retire his number and has made a memorial for him beside the ball park.

Now, I went to high school with some pretty impressive athletes. All of whom have gone on to play college baseball and football. However, neither of these talented fellas have had their jersey number retired.

Frenchie turned down a full ride to Clemson to play football. Instead, he was drafted by the  Braves in the 1st round (23rd overall) in 2002 at the ripe, young age of 18 (maybe barely 19). He didn't spend much time in class-A Rome. He was quickly called up in 2005 to make his major league debut. And boy, did he make one! He made such an impressive debut that companies such as Delta Inc. and Under Armour signed a contract with him.

In his 2006 call-up debut, Frenchie hit .260 with 29 HR's and 103 RBI's. The following year, he impressed even more by maturely increasing his average to .293. His homer total came out to be solid 19 with 105 RBI's. While Jeff seemed content with his RBI total and batting average, he wanted to increase his HR total in the 2008 season.

Like any athelete would do, he hit the weight room during the off season. As a result, he added a good 30 lbs to his frame. In hopes of hitting a few more bombs as a result from "beefing" up, Frenchie humbly realized just the opposite. Frenchie compiled a meager 11 homers with a .239 batting average. Oh and let's not forget, a 71 RBI total. This humbling season suddenly became worse when he was demoted to Triple-A (then, Richmond).

Since the end of last season, many have wondered if he would be another star gone bad.

It's early, but I predict your wondering can cease. In fact, you don't really have to hope anymore. You can expect.

You can expect this new and improved Jeff Francoeur to deliver this year.

Til' next week,
Luke Goddard

PS: In case you're wondering, here's Frenchie's totals thus far:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	AVG
2009	11	43	6	14	1	2	1	7	22	1	5	0	0	. 341	. 512	.326