You probably remember Mets outfielder Jeff Francoeur from this exceptional defensive play pictured right. We’ve always known that Francoeur was a little bit on the un-SMRT side. In May, as a member of the Atlanta Braves, he told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that on-base precentage — which stat geeks often look at as a hugely important metric — as garbage:
“If on-base percentage is so important, then why don’t they put it up on the scoreboard?”
But rest assured, Jeff, they do, in fact, put it up on the scoreboard. FanIQ comes in with this shot of the Braves home marquee, replete with Marcus Giles’ .368 OBP.
Reasonable minds can differ on the value of OBP, of course, so our insistance that Francoeur is dumber than dirt was, back then, an assertion. No more.
Today, the New York Times has an article up discussing a next-gen batting helmet which can absorb fastballs at the noggin up to a speed of 100 mph, much better than the estimated 70 mph of current helmets. They quote Mets All-Star David Wright as a proponent for its use:
“If it provides more protection, then I’m all for it,” said Mets third baseman David Wright, who last week dodged a Brad Thompson fastball traveling on a frightening vector toward his head. “I’m not worried about style or looking good out there. I’m worried about keeping my melon protected.”
Smart guy, that David Wright. And we were sure most players would agree, or at least justify their objections by saying something to the effect of “… unless it interferes with my swing.” But not Jeff Francoeur. Having no brain, it seems, means that there’s no reason to wear such a helmet:
“No, I am absolutely not wearing that,” Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur said with a laugh after seeing a prototype, as if he were being asked to put a pumpkin on his head. “I could care less what they say, I’m not wearing it. There’s got to be a way to have a more protective helmet without all that padding. It’s brutal. We’re going to look like a bunch of clowns out there.”
No word on whether Francoeur believes in seat belts or jock straps.
