Francoeur On The Fan

Jeff Francoeur stopped by WFAN studio and hung with Boomer and Carton. As you have read, we here at 24 Hours… have been extremely impressed with the acquisition last July. He has a bull dog mentality that this team sorely needs, and has played a quality RF. Listening to this interview, I think I like him even more.

Francoeur says he loves NY. He is a high energy guy, and New York is a high energy place. He is very happy here. He had spoken with Tom Glavine, and Galvine told him when the team is winning, there is no better place. Hey Tom, if you think that was good, maybe if you lasted more than one inning and gave up less than seven runs in 2007, you could have really appreciated the fans…

On his injury: Francoeur’s thumb was so messed up, that surgeon’s had to take a tendon from his forearm, and put it in his thumb. Francoeur blew it off by merely saying that the tendon used isn’t important; you don’t use it (tendon) after about 10 years of age. Apparently it is used for picking up objects until your muscles are strong enough, rendering this particular tendon useless.

Carton asked the Mets RF what is actually said at 1B after a single. Francoeur said they talk of places to eat, their golf game, etc.

Speaking of golf, Francoeur has a 4 handicap in golf. He has played against the much maligned Tiger Woods, and has been destroyed by the Casanova of the Links. He said he misses playing golf so much. He is unable to play since the surgery to his left thumb.

Francoeur believes the Mets will be more competitive in 2010. Last year was difficult, but he believes the injuries played a bigger role in the pitiful season than anything else. He believes the Mets are three or four guys away from being competitive again. With key acquisitions, mainly a LF, C, and a couple of pitchers, along with health, the Mets will be competitive. They aren’t as far away from being respectable as people think.

The Howitzer armed RF said he has no problems with Gil Hodges Memorial Park, er Citi Field. He said he would love to see Jason Bay in LF because he is such a pull hitter, he would have no problems. He said the ball carries better during the summer than in the early spring. He also went on to say that this field is not conducive to gap hitters. They will get their doubles and triples, but will lose their home run pop. This is why he would like Bay in LF. This is also a possible reason for Wright’s power outage in ’09. Wright is more of a gap hitter, and after a while, Francoeur believes it got in his head, which is understandable.

When asked about Wright getting drilled in the head last summer, Francoeur said you have to get right back in the box, and it does take a little time to get your nerve back, but you must attack it. He applauded Wright because he said he (Wright) could have easily taken the remainder of the year off. Pitchers were also pitching Wright inside (tight) after the beaning.

Asked what it is like playing in the field behind Big Pelf, with all his histrionics, Francoeur laughed and said he doesn’t, nor will he say anything to the big right hander, stating he could pick you up and slam you down. He is “country strong.” Jeff said he is “pissed” with Pelfrey because he is beating Francoeur in their fantasy football league this year. The hosts played a few of the parities they made of Pelfrey and his hand licking, balking, walking habits, and Francoeur thought they were great. Finishing up with Pelfrey, Francoeur said he has as good a sinker as anyone, and expects him to pitch much better this year.

Francoeur was asked would he ever play in Philadelphia: “Philly would be tough. Six year old kids cuss you…” When asked about his origin, he informed that he has some French and Italian blood lines. Asked if he would go to France, Francoeur said two places you won’t find him are Philadelphia and France.

He said that Andruw Jones was the best outfielder he ever saw. He said he wasn’t treated well in Atlanta, and he felt bad about that.

For more on the Francoeur interview, Click Here .

Thanks to Metsmerized on line for the picture.