traded!

It’s sad. It was inevitable, perhaps, but it’s still sad. Jeff Francoeur, the hometown hero in Atlanta, was traded away. To the New York Mets, no less, the Braves’ biggest rival over the last 10 years or so. Francoeur was a big hit with the Mississippi Braves in 2005; people still show up at Trustmark Park in his jersey. But he was an even bigger sensation in Atlanta, having played high school ball in the area. For 2 1/2 years, he looked like a rising star. But then he lost his swing. Came back to Pearl last summer looking for it. Still hasn’t found it. Even the biggest Francoeur supporters had to know his time with the Braves was running short. But it was a shock the way it went down. After having one of his best games of the season (3-for-4, 3 doubles) at Colorado on Thursday night, Jeff Francoeur was shipped out for an older, injury-prone player, Ryan Church. Don’t know how that’s going to work out. This much is certain, though: No. 7 will be missed in right field at the Ted.
P.S. How about that Seth Smith. The former Hillcrest Christian and Ole Miss standout got his 12th pinch hit of the season Friday night for Colorado (against the Braves). He is now 12-for-25. Pinch hitting seems to be Smith’s main role with the Rockies these days, and he’s playing it well.