“I went back and watched some film and you know what? I did. I don’t think my legs were where they needed to be last year. I don’t think I was strong enough. I took a step back and said, ‘You know what? They’re right.’ ” So confesses Royals OF Jeff Francoeur (above, right) to the Kansas City Star’s Bob Dutton, with the latter figuring that if he’s dubbed a horrible human being baseball’s worst everyday outfielder, “I want to take that criticism, accept it and let it drive me to be a better baseball player.” So if you’re planning on abusive 2am phone calls or keying Francoeur’s car, rest assured, “”I don’t take it as, ‘This person hates me.’ If he’s a true fan, he’s going to want me to have a good year to help this team win.” (link swiped from Repoz and Baseball Think Factory)
“The criticism this offseason when we traded Wil Myers – why the heck did we do that? – I sit there and say, ‘As a fan, looking from the outside, I’d lead that criticism.’ For fans, looking from the outside, I don’t blame them,” he said.
“I had a terrible year. Last year was so disappointing for me in so many different ways. First, obviously, the team and the way we performed after having expectations. Then myself. I just never did it. Never.”
Francoeur is vowing a big comeback year after sabermetricians – and fans – dubbed him the worst everyday player in baseball.
“I’m at that age, 29, where I should be getting into my prime. Not going the other way. That has fueled me and driven me a lot this off season, and it’s been a good drive.”