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Two Quotes...

soupcan Apr 16 2010 07:45 AM

That I read today in the NYTimes - Jeff Francoeur faced Pelfrey 19 times with the Atlanta Braves and has a good sense of what hitters must contend with. Pelfrey has an easygoing demeanor, but at 6 feet 7 inches, standing atop the pitcher’s mound, he can be an intimidating force with a baseball in his hand. That was exactly what Francoeur told Pelfrey last season after Francoeur was traded to the Mets. Francoeur reminded Pelfrey of it again during spring training. “I told him, ‘It’s hard facing you,’ ” Francoeur said. “ ‘Use that. Pitch inside and don’t let guys get comfortable.’ ” In this era of baseball I wonder how often players give constructive critiques like that to their current teammates. “All cultures bring something different to the game of baseball,” he said. “It could be Japan with the little hitches in the pitchers’ windup, things like that. The African-American player, there is a charisma that he brings from his culture. That ingredient adds a little spice to the game. That little spice is missing in our game when we’re not participating.” That one is from Gary Matthews, Jr. I think it's valid but wonder if it wouldn't be cited as a tad racist if a caucasian said it. Black players are more charismatic than whites? Dominicans? I get his point but its a fine line to walk.

metirish Apr 16 2010 07:50 AM Re: Two Quotes...

My thoughts were the same even as I was reading that soup......there are a whole lot of things missing form Gary Matthews game right now though.

Frayed Knot Apr 16 2010 07:54 AM Re: Two Quotes...

At least GMJ didn't go the Toriiiii Hunter route and proclaim that black HIspanics are "impostors" and not really black.

metirish Apr 16 2010 08:00 AM Re: Two Quotes...

As for the Francoeur quote I can see him saying that, he just seems like a great team mate .

soupcan Apr 16 2010 08:13 AM Re: Two Quotes...

I agree. What I meant to write about that was in this era of baseball where players frequently move from team to team and can easily find themselves facing guys that were just on the same team with - how often do they really give each other tips to improve their individual games? Probably a lot more often than I would think. That's just human nature I would guess.

Willets Point Apr 16 2010 08:14 AM Re: Two Quotes...

Frayed Knot wrote: At least GMJ didn't go the Toriiiii Hunter route and proclaim that black HIspanics are "impostors" and not really black. Next thing he's going to say that the Black Irish aren't really black.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 16 2010 08:27 AM Re: Two Quotes...

soupcan wrote: I agree. What I meant to write about that was in this era of baseball where players frequently move from team to team and can easily find themselves facing guys that were just on the same team with - how often do they really give each other tips to improve their individual games? Probably a lot more often than I would think. That's just human nature I would guess. I seem to remember Keith Hernandez saying that hitters would exchange tips with each other, and so would pitchers, but you wouldn't see hitters and pitchers talking like that. So either things have changed, or Francoeur is some kind of a maverick.

MFS62 Apr 16 2010 08:34 AM Re: Two Quotes...

I agree. What I meant to write about that was in this era of baseball where players frequently move from team to team and can easily find themselves facing guys that were just on the same team with - how often do they really give each other tips to improve their individual games? Probably a lot more often than I would think. That's just human nature I would guess. I'm not sure if plane travel and new media (games, tweeting, etc.) have taken away the time for players to talk about those things. Those long train rides left a lot of time to talk about the game. That reminded me of the two books* Jim Brosnan wrote when he was a major league pitcher (before he went into sportswriting as a career). He talked about how players would try to pick the brains of players joining the club from other teams. A few came to mind (trying to quote exactly, but there may be some paraphrasing to fill in the blanks): "We were in the bullpen talking about how to pitch to Hank Aaron. If you pitched inside, he'd hit a homer. If you pitched him outside, he might hit it back up the middle, and you'd have to throw the pitch and then assume the position of Maiden Surprised. Someone said 'Pena just struck him out on a spitter.' We all agreed 'good pitch'". "He told me, Broz, I knew you'd keep trying to throw me sliders. But I knew you'd eventually hang one, and then BAM!" "But for all the Latin American players, it was agreed that they were all first ball, fastball hitters." On race relations(see the GMJ thread), he wrote that his young son came up to him one day and said, "Dad, when I grow up, I want to be a catcher. And a White Man. Later * The Long Season and Pennant Race

Edgy DC Apr 16 2010 09:36 AM Re: Two Quotes...

Frayed Knot wrote: At least GMJ didn't go the Toriiiii Hunter route and proclaim that black HIspanics are "impostors" and not really black. Hunter did one of those dealios where his clarification was even worse than his initial remark.

Ceetar Apr 16 2010 09:41 AM Re: Two Quotes...

Frayed Knot wrote: At least GMJ didn't go the Toriiiii Hunter route and proclaim that black HIspanics are "impostors" and not really black. Or go the Orlando Hudson route and claim the league is racist and that's why he didn't get as much money as he did. So far, Francoeur has helped Pelfrey pitch, seems like he makes a better lineup out than Manuel..he does everything!

metsguyinmichigan Apr 16 2010 09:46 AM Re: Two Quotes...

metirish wrote: As for the Francoeur quote I can see him saying that, he just seems like a great team mate . Everything I've read about Frenchy makes me like him more and more. I'm pulling for him to live up to all that potential. Just seems like a really, really good guy.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 16 2010 09:47 AM Re: Two Quotes...

Jeff Francoeur's advice helped me increase my profit margins by 15% in a down year... AND his lovemaking tutorial single-handedly saved my marriage! THANKS, Mr. French!

metirish Apr 16 2010 09:52 AM Re: Two Quotes...

Jeff Francoeur's advice helped me increase my profit margins by 15% in a down year... AND his lovemaking tutorial single-handedly saved my marriage! THANKS, Mr. French! and the proof is in the kid :)

HahnSolo Apr 16 2010 09:58 AM Re: Two Quotes...

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I seem to remember Keith Hernandez saying that hitters would exchange tips with each other, and so would pitchers, but you wouldn't see hitters and pitchers talking like that. So either things have changed, or Francoeur is some kind of a maverick. Weird. Keith lived it, not me, but it seems odd (and a little wrong) that you would exchange tips with hitters on other teams and not pitchers on your own team.

G-Fafif Apr 16 2010 10:00 AM Re: Two Quotes...

Speaking of helpful tips, I heard a radio ad for something that would make a man "last longer" and "perform better". After yesterday, they should get Mike Pelfrey to endorse it. I assume it was a pitching aid of some sort.

seawolf17 Apr 16 2010 06:28 PM Re: Two Quotes...

Ceetar wrote: So far, Francoeur has helped Pelfrey pitch, seems like he makes a better lineup out than Manuel..he does everything! Maybe we need an old-school player-manager setup! That'd be fun!