THOMASVILLE — Jeff Francoeur’s appearance in Thomasville on Tuesday blew Joseph Deloach’s mind.
The Thomasville High baseball player couldn’t fathom the Atlanta Braves outfielder coming to speak in the Rose City.
“I look up to him as a player,” Deloach said. “I like to watch him play. Atlanta’s one of my favorite teams, so he’s got to be one of my favorites.”
Deloach was one of hundreds of area high school baseball players who heard Francoeur speak at the old Central Middle School auditorium.
“It’s pretty cool, a guy like him coming to Thomasville,” Thomas County Central’s Davis McDermond said. “It’s a kind of guy you look up to.”
Francoeur spoke to the teams about his faith in the Lord, dedication to working hard and his experience in three years with the Braves. The players were not the only fans feeling the excitement of Francoeur’s appearance on Tuesday.
“As coaches, we all read about him when he came along so we’re excited to see him,” Cairo’s first-year baseball coach Ron Best said.
Francoeur and the rest of the Braves are just weeks away from reporting for spring training.
“You’re just ready to go,” Francoeur said. “For me, I’m excited. I wish I was leaving to go.”
After 14 straight seasons of making the playoffs, the Braves are currently in a two-year playoff drought. It’s an experience Francoeur is determined to end.
“It’s going to be like anything, where we get hungrier and hungrier every year to try to get back,” Francoeur said. “If we can do that, it’ll be huge.”
Making the playoffs just got a little tougher for the Braves. The New York Mets agreed to trade for star pitcher Johan Santana, pending a deal the Mets could get him to sign an extension.
“That’s the worst news I’ve heard all day,” Francoeur said. “I don’t want to face him.”
Francoeur is 0-for-3 against Santana with two striketouts.
Although Francoeur’s confidence against Santana is shaken, he is confident manager Bobby Cox will return after this upcoming season.
“He loves it too much,” Francoeur admitted. “He doesn’t want to end right now. He’s having too much fun and enjoys it too much.”
Local Sports
Fans excited to hear Braves star
- Local Sports
-
-
Aiming high
Nick Dodson was a track star on the high school and collegiate levels.
It’s almost time to see how the former Thomas County Central compares against the top professional hurdlers in the country. -
Walking wounded Lady Night Hawks
Thomas University's opening-day lineup will have a different look than what coach Bill Wilson envisioned in the preseason.
The pitching rotation has had to be reshuffled as well. -
THS girls look to start region tourney at home
It may be the final day of the regular season, but the postseason begins tonight for the Thomasville Lady Bulldogs.
-
Link to Harris English interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89xCdIeqI8Y&feature=youtu.be
-
Singletary honored by Region 1-AAAA
Thomas County Central sports some of the top athletic teams in Region 1-AAAA.
The Yellow Jackets also feature the top athletic director. -
English off to strong start
Harris English is coming off his best finish on the PGA Tour in this, his still very young rookie season.
-
THS tennis teams sweep Central
Thomasville’s tennis teams had successful starts to their ’12 season.
Thomas County Central's didn’t. -
Syrupmaids topple Jackets
It was senior night at Thomas County Central on Tuesday.
A Cairo upperclassman stole the show, however. -
Jackets edge Trojans
Thomas County Central edged non-region foe Brooks County Saturday night.
-
Central girls topple Brooks County
Thomas County Central's girls pulled away from Brooks County Saturday night.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
