Comments on: Franco: Clubhouse influence overrated

By: dave

dave — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:07:16 +0000

John,

Just saw an ad on this page starting with ‘Over 50?’

Are your sales guys that good or is it a coincidence?

By: Old Backstop

Old Backstop — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:32:44 +0000

Great quotes John, this is the kind of meat and potato stuff us readers really like to hear. Your two quotes tell an entire story.

– OB

By: dave

dave — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:50:55 +0000

JK,

I think it was in the spring. He had some pretty strong comments on someone. Don’t remember the specifics but I was taken aback by the strength of his comments and coming from him.

But like I said. He comes to play and he plays well. So I don’t mind too much.

Dave

By: Mike C.

Mike C. — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 05:26:40 +0000

I wouldn’t DFA Valentin but I’d certainly DL him.

But in terms of him dissing on Franco, good for him, Franco deserves it. If Franco had really cared so much about the team, he would’ve… y’know… been trying out there.

Or retiring when he couldn’t try.

Playing just so that you can say “hey, I was a terrible pinch-hitter in the major leagues at the age of 50!”

Yeah, good for you, Grandpa Balky Knees.

Have fun in Atlanta, see if you can stretch out your little human interest story ‘til September.

By: JK

JK — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 05:13:05 +0000

When did Valentin ever rip a player in the past? What did he say?

I have no problem with what Valentin said here. If he were making it up, yeah maybe I’d have a problem with him. But I don’t see anyone on the team coming to Franco’s defense. Come to think of it, I thought it was a little odd that there was almost a total lack of statements from Mets players praising Franco after he left. I can’t recall a single one.

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:04:45 +0000

Maybe a little harsh, at least the DFA part, but why was nobody blasting Valentin for busting up his hand over the All Star break. A tad immature don’t you think? Give me a break. You were right NC, Franco doesn’t deserve to get trashed, especialy by someone who can’t control himself to the detriment of the team and who is playing when he should have had surgery because of a stupid contract clause.

By: dave

dave — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:43:32 +0000

I think Franco’s leadership was mostly last year, not so much this year. The most important of which was pushing Beltran on the field to take a bow.

As for Valentin, this is not the first time he opened his mouth to rip someone. I am willing to let it go because he is a good player. Not sure how his teammates view him tho.

Dave

By: NCMets

NCMets — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:23:17 +0000

Jeez Mel, a little harsh dont u think.

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:11:42 +0000

Thanks for blasting me LGMETsies. Are you Valentin’s agent or something. He makes comments about another who sucks when he sucks almost as much, its inappropriate. It was right for Willie to speak up, but oher than that smart players keep their lips zipped. Go back a year, when Milledge basically said Franco was the veteran who defended him. I would hope that Valentin is DFAd as soon as possible.

By: LGMETSIes

LGMETSIes — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:39:01 +0000

Mel,

Nobody has ever said that Valentin is a “clubhouse leader.” He’s not the one getting in the faces of the kids and telling them to do the job. That’s the point here. Valentin isn’t playing well, but he also isn’t being critical of his teammates. He’s not bashing Franco the hitter, but Franco the “motivator”

By: NCMets

NCMets — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:01:34 +0000

I sure hope this doesn’t turn into an issue. Ive got a lot of respect for Julio, but lets let bygones be bygones. He got some big hits for us and he may have helped a couple of younger players, but he is a professional and doesnt deserve to get trashed. The fact remains that we are better w/out him.

By: Dominic

Dominic — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:01:31 +0000

His “veteran leadership” isn’t worth a .200 batting average and a bat that can’t come around on a decent fastball. In the long run he was a wasted spot on the roster. He should give up trying to play until he’s 50 and look into the world of coaching. The Braves already have 2 or 3 first basemen and a ton of right-handed batters. Not sure why he thinks he’s going to get more playing time in Atlanta. Either way I’m glad he’s out.

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:01:25 +0000

Uh, maybe Valentin should look at his numbers before he blasts anyone.

By: Mike C.

Mike C. — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:26:12 +0000

What killed about Franco was when he wouldn’t leg out a bobbled ground ball… to end a game!... and then a few days later, saying in the press that he was gonna give Reyes “a talking to” for not running out a ball that he thought was going foul in a completely empty situation.

Being a leader is great but pretending to “be a leader” when you’re completely hypocritical about it… is even worse than being a bad example unto yourself.

Good luck with him, Braves!

Lets hope he sets Salty back two years with his “friendly talks”!

By: JK

JK — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 01:02:45 +0000

Hmmm, this is interesting. I wonder if Franco will fire back in any way. I hope not. He should keep his mouth shut and not trash the Mets for letting him go.