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Jeff Francoeur, with his own words, “by[s] Baseball backwards and forward. “
A previous choice of first round once called “The Natural”, Francoeur is now an analyst for his former Atlanta Braves, while doubling as the father of athletes.
An expert of the game, it would be easy for him to take responsibility for his children’s ball games. But he will let his children be children.
“Take the parents out of [youth sports] And the kids usually have a good time, “Francoeur told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview.” I train a 12u Travel Softball team for my daughter – all the parents think their child should hit third place, play here, be this. If you took all the parents out and asked these girls to make a batting order, I know that they can do a pretty good job of doing what the batting order should be. “
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Jeff Francoeur (Brett Davis-usa Today Sports)
Francoeur knows that there are plenty of parents out there who choose to live vicariously through their children when it comes to athletics (he even admitted that he can “be carried away”) and he is not afraid to put these parents to the test.
“The first question I ask a lot of parents is, ‘what do you want out of sports for your kids?’ My mom and dad wanted me to learn to be a big teammate how to have [a] Work ethics, overcome hardship, “he added.” Parents now, there are still plenty looking at it like that, but so many look at it as a ‘win at all costs’ at such a young age. [Former Braves pitcher John Smoltz] said it best on the podcast. He said, ‘I wish there were more coaches who have balls to worry about the development of winning, especially in the younger ages.’ It’s lost, man. So many people care about the bottom line and win. Have you ever thought ‘what’s best for my child?’ “
In fact, one of Francoeur’s children hates “baseball” and plays lacrosse.
“Although I know baseball backwards and forwards, and I would love my son to play, this is his passion, this is his dream. Who should I sit here?
Among his commitment to youth sports, he started the podcast “Pure Athlete”, which highlights youth sports, its parents and how it can all be clean again. His brand recently collaborated with D1 training to help the younger athletes be in sports for the right reasons.
“When we do this podcast thing with young athletes, you try to navigate that journey. There are so many ways, right? [D1 founder] Will [Bartholomew] And these guys, though, do they the right way, man, and they got the right people connected to them, “Francoeur said.” I love how they personalize everything; Everything is specifically for what you are trying to do.
“If you look at trying to get the next step in advance, it’s such a big part now. We’re talking to all these athletes, man, even for my career, if I look back, if there’s one thing I could have done better, is taking care of your body, right? Work out, agility, nutrition, all that. I’m just thinking about the forefront of a lot of what they do.”
Former Atlanta Braves player Jeff Francoeur appears with a Boys & Girls Club member before Game 3 in the 2021 World Series between Braves and Houston Astros. (Brett Davis-usa Today Sports)
‘Mixed feelings’
Pete Rose is now eligible for Hall of Fame.
If he and probably when he does, he will not see it. He died last September.
Rose was placed on Baseball’s unjustified list in 1989 after it was rumored that he was focusing on baseball while he was with Cincinnati Reds. Fifteen years after the ban, he finally admitted to having done it as manager.
It has since been reported that he gambler as a player, but he denied it.
It may be difficult for some to give “Charlie Hustle” the benefit of the doubt, but Francoeur said he has spoken to several Hall of Famers who are on the side of letting him come in not to let him come in. “
“I got so many mixed feelings over it. There’s no real answer to it. It’s kind of, man, really? You’ll wait until he died to do it?” Said Francoeur. “It’s so funny because you remember Pete Rose said before he died, ‘when I die, they’ll make me justified.’ Sure enough, he called it.
Rose’s Cooperstown Fate is likely to be decided by 2027 by the classic baseball committee, which considers players whose career ended more than 15 years ago. He needs 12 of the 16 votes to enter.
Cincinnati Reds Manager Pete Rose, on the right, in 1987 (Ricky Rogers/TennesSean/USA Today Network via Imag images)
Mlb at risk?
The current collective negotiation agreement expires in December 2026, and the threat of a lockout is certainly real.
Players and owners agreed that an appointment after a lockout of just over three months from the end of 2021 to the beginning of 2022.
After lockout came several rule changes that baseball purists can hate, but the numbers do not lie. Participation has risen in each of the last two seasons and Ratings have been sufficient.
Francoeur said “Pitchur was the biggest thing [MLB Commissioner Rob] Manfred ever did. “But he said the game cannot fumble the momentum it has gained in recent years.
“To be honest with you is the only thing I think can screw up to be two things. Tv -offers [to] Make better for fans to see baseball again. I still have 1,000 people in Atlanta [saying]’How do I see braves?’ “Francoeur said.
But it seems that players and owners are fighting for even longer if no deal is achieved in the next year and a half.
“And the second I hope the union and the owners can find out, but it doesn’t sound good after 2026. I know deadlines are driving offers, but I wish there would be more dialogue now. Let’s start talking about this now. We have 18 months to find out what we need to do to make sure there is no workstop. important. ”
