Jeff Francis is the Rockies’ king of misperception.
His boyish face, smooth delivery, calm exterior and polite, articulate manner belie the juices churning in his gut.
I’ve had people, including a local sports talk-show host, tell me they think Francis doesn’t care enough.
They are put off by what they perceive as his laid-back persona on the mound. They think he’s a handy poster boy for the Rockies’ disappointing season. They look at Francis’ demeanor after he gives up a homer and think, “See, another big-money athlete who takes losing in stride.”
They could not be more wrong.
In spring training, Francis told me he often threw up before he pitched. Quickly realizing he had spilled the beans, so to speak, he asked me not to make a big deal about it.
But to me, it was a big deal. It illustrated how much the game means to him and how important it is for him.
Word arrived Wednesday that Francis is going on the disabled list because of soreness in his pitching shoulder. It was a good bad-news, good-news moment.
The bad news is that the struggling Rockies lose a pitcher who was supposed to be their ace this season. The good news? At least there is a tangible reason he’s 3-7 with a 5.67 ERA and has looked nothing like the pitcher who went 17-9 last year and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated.
“He’s been suffering from an inconsistent arm slot since opening day,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “I don’t think he’s felt the inflammation ever since then, but it’s become more a part of the problem.”
Francis admitted that his disappointing season has worn on his psyche as much as his arm.
“It’s tough when you are not pitching the way you know you can,” he said. “You watch my games and you see me get beat on pitches that previously I didn’t get beat on.”
By the time Francis comes back, the Rockies’ hopes of the postseason will likely be long gone, if they aren’t already. But putting him on the DL now was the smart move. Francis could have kept trying to pitch, and put on his usual placid face. Now, his shoulder and his ego get a midsummer vacation with a chance to get reenergized.
I’m of the belief that the 2007 version of Jeff Francis is closer to the truth than the 2008 facsimile. Time, and a healthier shoulder, will tell.
