If any other player acted like this he’d be called out as a prima donna. Not Francoeur! No, he gets damn nigh delusional profiles written about him in national publications about how sad it is that he’s not getting more playing time. And you should really read that link, by the way. It suggests that David Wright and Carlos Beltran would be benched if only there were people who could take their place, but Francoeur — who, sadly, doesn’t have a media horde following him as he approaches his 100th career home run! — deserves to be playing because he’s “the team’s hottest hitter.” With that designation being based on five games. Never mind that just before that stretch he was 0 for his previous 15. And you won’t be surprised to find his agent being quoted in that piece as well.
The selfish P.R. onslaught comes as the Mets are sinking in the standings and their team offensive numbers have plummeted to Cubs/Nats level. If any other player pulled this garbage they’d be excoriated in the press and on talk radio, but I can bet you good money that won’t happen to Francoeur. His alleged misuse will still be cited by those seeking Jerry Manuel’s head (never mind that trying to bench Francoeur is one of the few smart things he’s done this year). He’ll still have his supporters calling in to WFAN arguing that he just needs to be given a chance, notwithstanding the fact that he’s had 3300+ plate appearances which conclusively prove that he is, regrettably, what he is.
– Craig Calcaterra, HardballTalk.
I was heading into the office planning to write almost exactly this, then got here and realized my efforts were futile since Calcaterra is a damn baseball blogging machine hellbent on beating everyone to witty, sabermetrically inclined takedowns of crappy players with spectacular egos.
All I can add is that it’s thrilling, in some messed-up way, that much-lauded “character guys” Jeff Francoeur and Alex Cora have pretty much exposed themselves as anything but, now that the team smartly reduced their roles. And I’m not saying I really blame either one of them: Baseball players should want to play, and probably should go ahead and think they’re really good at baseball.
Plus Cora is probably right that the Mets are emphasizing a so-called “youth movement.” But Cora’s comments imply that a team committed to winning now should keep Alex Cora on its roster, and that’s one of the more delusional things you’ll ever hear uttered by anyone.
Now Jeff Francoeur’s agent is on a press tour to get him traded to a team that will play him more? Fantastic! Good luck with that, Ms. Fletcher. Francoeur — smiles, arm, groundouts and all — has been one of worst everyday players in baseball for the past several years. He belongs nowhere near an everyday Major League lineup, and it seems like just about every team in the league has figured that out by now.
Oh lord, this picture. Good clubhouse guys! (Note: Fernando Tatis is still cool by me.)
Tedquarters 
That article is quite possibly the saddest thing I’ve ever read.
It has to be some kind of high-minded, meta media criticism, right?
Francoeur is an embarrassment on and off the field, but as you say, that’s to be expected. It’s not his fault he sucks and all pro athletes think they’re better than they are. But the fact anyone in the media would provide a platform for this garbage is just pathetic.
Brian Schneider has a very strange head. He looks like he has been drawn by whoever does Family Guy.
Bill B: I think its a stereotypical Irish/Scotch face. He looks like a whole lotta family photos of mine.
And re: Family Guy the creator called his main character Peter a stereotypical Irish catholic, so I think you’re on to something.
I agree with everything in the article except the inferences to the fans and WFAN/Talk radio loving Frenchy. The print media yes, they have for whatever reason taken to Frenchy’s side, but as far as the fans and talk radio, thats not the case. The fans and talk radio have been killing this guy for weeks.
Omar just needs to cut this guy. I cant blame Francoeur fro what hes doing, I’d prob do the same, but it puts the manager in a tough spot, and its Omar job not to burden his manager with a potentially tough situation. FRenchy needs to go if hes not going to play, hes useless as a bench player.
I read that article twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. That was quite entertaining, especially the formal references to everyone.
I don’t know what’s funnier…the fact that this guy wrote an entire article on the smallest sample size imaginable. Let’s just look at 5 games…not the entire season. Or that he compares A-Rod’s 600 to Mr. Francouer’s historic run to 100. Actually, now that I think of it, maybe 100 is pretty historic for Frenchy considering that most of his plate appearance turn into an unproductive farce.
I don’t often criticize people who they’re own views and opinions, but I’m sorry, this is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read.
Good laugh this morning though :)
Schneider is OK by me too, on account of his classic Toyota Of Manhattan commercials.
Same here, because Dan Warthen took those shots at him in the offseason.
The whole enemy-of-my-enemy thing…
Am I the only one amused by the Jeff Francoeur “Pepsi Refresh” ad that hangs almost directly above this post?
No, I am similarly amused.
And that’s why Frenchy is going no where.
Pepsi and MLB are making sure he remains a spokesman.
*Conspiracy theory – dun dun dun*
Really hope the WSJ article is sarcastic.
Call me crazy, Ted, but I think that Frenchy can still be traded. I just think that some GM out there has the same bromance that the rest of the NY print media has and will give medium-level prospects for the guy.
Here’s my theory as to why the media loves him: he was a high school football star. All the beat writers wanted to play football in high school but never got the chance. Since you played football in high school, Ted, that point’s moot for you and you can look through that facade.