So many times, we hear that someone is going to be the reincarnation of one of the greats of the past. Harold Miner was tabbed as the next Michael Jordan, even given the nickname “Baby Jordan”, but never could live up to the hype that so many had placed upon him. There are others within the world of music and entertainment, newcomers who garner the attention of critics all over the world and raise the hopes of those watching. The spotlight wears on them, often times leaving them labeled as a bust by the standards they had placed on them.

Jeff Francoeur has found himself in that same spotlight in the last couple of years. One of the “Baby Braves” who were called up during the 2005 season, Jeff has found success on the diamond, not succumbing to the pressure of the spotlight, nor the pressure of the 40,000 onlookers everyday that watch him lay everything he has out on the field for the Braves organization. I caught up with Jeff at Spring Training this season and found myself in the midst of someone who was young and ambitious, yet grounded in his faith and fixated with what awaits him after this physical life has ended. He is this issue’s Men of God Spotlight.

His Life

Jeff had the love of sports at the core of his being from birth. He grew up in Georgia and would excel at baseball and football in high school. Before long, Jeff would be drafted by the Atlanta Braves, the fulfillment of the dream of every young boy in the state of Georgia as they were growing up. Jeff would begin his quest there to the Major League level, but more important than being drafted, he had found his path in life a few years earlier.

Q – Can you tell me when you gave your life to Christ?

“It was in December of 1999. I went to a FCA camp in Black Mountain, NC, and Ben Watson, the tight end for the New England Patriots, was my huddle leader. For me, sports were my whole life, but to be able to see a guy like him, and sports were a huge part of his life, but it was not the joy in his life. For me, I was able to witness that and wanted that kind of life.”

Jeff moved up through the Braves organization, but not without trouble along the way. In 2004, Francoeur’s career almost ended as he was struck in the face with a pitch, nearly robbing Jeff of his ability to see out of his right eye. Jeff would regain his vision and proved that God had a plan for Jeff to be in the big leagues. Jeff would see God’s plan unfolding in 2005 as he took the field for the Atlanta Braves.

His Career

Jeff blasted onto the scene in the Major Leagues and quickly became one of the players to watch. He finished the 2005 with 14 home runs and a .300 batting average. It was the beginning of a career that God had planned years ago. After the initial success, would he succumb to the pressure as many others had done in the past? Not a chance. Francouer followed up with 29 home runs and 103 RBI in 2006.

Q – How do you feel about the pressure that comes with being in the spotlight?

“I love it. I love the pressure in this game. I think that, if you’re in this game and you’re not looking for pressure and you’re not looking to be the guy in the big spot in the game, then you’re in it for the wrong reason. I love that and when you’ve got that pressure on you and you do well, you get a little spotlight and you get some things that you can do. It’s a great way to build a witness and speak to people.”

Q – What is the highlight of your career so far?

“To be honest with you, the highlight of my career is just being able to play this great game. I’ve had a lot of moments. I could tell you ten moments that come to mind but for me, I would say that I’m just the luckiest guy. My dad went to work for thirty-two years in a coat and tie and I get to with a uniform and run out there and play in front of forty-fie to fifty thousand people in some of the greatest ballparks that look like cathedrals. For me, that’s just the fun of the job is doing what you love to do. It’s a passion and a dream of mine.”

Q – How has being a Christian impacted your career in baseball?

“For the most part, it’s kept me sane in this game. It’s such a tough game; it’s such a tough job but to be able to have that to lean on, and to lean on Christ when you need the strength is great. Because this season is 162 games, it’s a roller coaster season and if you don’t have something that brings you happiness other than baseball, you’re going to spend a lot of time searching.”

Q – What is the most difficult part of being a Christian and being involved in Major League Baseball?

“Well, obviously, just the way that the game is; things it offers from sex to girls to booze to whatever you can imagine can happen in this game with all the opportunity. It’s cool though, because I think what people don’t realize is that it’s tough to live in this as a Christian but it’s also one of the greatest places to witness. There’s nothing like witnessing to baseball players and seeing people turn their lives around.”

Q – What are your expectations for the Braves this season?

“Nothing less than win the division. I think, for us, it’s just to have a good season with each other, enjoy it, and win the pennant. I don’t think there is any reason we can’t. We have great pitching, great offense, and a great leader in Bobby Cox. With that, I don’t think there’s any reason we shouldn’t set our goals for that!”

Jeff kept a smile on his face as he talked about this game that he dearly loves. He spoke with passion and conviction as I asked him more about his role in the community and in the lives of children all around the world who dream of one day being the next Jeff Francouer.

His Advice

Jeff has wisdom far beyond that which I possessed when I was twenty-four years old. He is young in years, but that does not mean that he has no concept of what is important in life or what impact he can have if he life according to the call that god has placed on him.

Q – How important is it to you to be a good role model for kids?

“It’s so important, especially with all of the steroids stuff going on right now in baseball. I remember Charles Barkley, back in the day, saying that we don’t have to be role models. We’re role models to these kids no matter what we like. I was telling the story just the other day. Not too long ago for me, I came to West Palm Beach for Spring Training with my dad. Being down there and seeing John Smoltz and Dale Murphy and those guys and they were my role models growing up. I can truly say for two and a half years now, having John Smoltz on the team, helping me and holding me accountable, it’s been fun and I hope to have a chance to do that for other kids some day.”

Q – With all of the other religions that you could choose from, why did you choose Christianity?

“Because (with all of the others) you’re going to keep searching for happiness. I talk to kids about searching for material things and you will keep searching and you will never find happiness. You’ll get something, like a car that you like, and a week later, you’ll get sick of it. You’ll never get sick of God and He’s always there. People ask that all of the time. They say, especially in this sport, “Why don’t you just live your life like a hell raiser and you can hopefully get God later?” I’ve seen it happen too many times with friends and family that die and never get that chance. For me, I don’t want to be that guy who is left out of having that experience. It says in the Bible that the glory that’s down here is nothing to be compared to the glory that is stored up for us in heaven.”

Q – What is one thing that most people don’t know about Jeff Francouer?

“That I want to be a country music singer worse than you could ever imagine. I would actually give up my baseball talent to be a country music singer and most people don’t know that.”

It was at this point that he told me about one of his habits when he is out in the outfield. He said that when he is standing there and no balls are coming his way, he has been known to start singing a country tune every now and then, sometimes singing a classic George Strait tune to pass the time until he is involved in the action.

Q – When was a time when you felt God the closest to you?

“I think every person who gives their life to Christ is going to have one of those and for me, it was back in 2004. I was in the minors and I got hit in the face with a fastball and for about ten days or so, they didn’t know if I was going to be able to see 100% out of my right eye again. Talk about having a test of faith and that’s why I have Joshua 1:9 on my batting gloves…because of that incident. It says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be discouraged or afraid for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” For me, that’s always kind of stuck. I wear it on my batting gloves during the games and I think it’s cool because it’s a good way to witness to kids. It’s a way for me, every time I come up to bat, to look at my gloves and realize that I am here by the grace and mercy of God and that alone.”

He stood there in front of his locker with the faith that David held in the moments when he was about to face Goliath. Jeff sees no challenge ahead that he cannot face because his Almighty God is with him wherever he goes. God is right beside him in that spotlight and will not let him fall. This faith, this core belief in his soul, keeps him pushing for another day at the top and another opportunity to share the message of the gospel with someone who does not know it.

Send This To A Friend