Jeff Francoeur, veteran presence for Phillies

TOO OFTEN, when a celebrated athlete reaches the highest level of his profession he becomes aloof, dismissive. When his skills erode, even the most agreeable player tends to become embittered. Not Jeff Francoeur.

A blue-chip 2002 football and baseball recruit out of Parkview High in suburban Atlanta, Francoeur, who grew up 25 miles from Turner Field, forsook his chance to be the next Jason Sehorn or Cris Collinsworth and opted to follow in the steps of Braves icon Chipper Jones. By 2005, rightfielder Francoeur was a can't-miss prospect for his hometown team, promoted from the minors in midseason with deafening fanfare.

He delivered, too. His quick Major League start earned him a Sports Illustrated cover that called him "The Natural." Blessed with speed, power, keen eye-hand coordination and a deadly throwing arm, he was naturally gifted and preternaturally pleasant.

But baseball is a cruel, patient partner, and soon Francoeur's free-swinging ways and the aftermath of an eye injury from the minors diminished his effectiveness. The Braves traded him to the Mets in 2009 and, by 2014, after playing for seven Major League teams, the only job he could get was back in the minors. At 30, he was no longer "The Natural" - he was Crash Davis from "Bull Durham."

Francoeur accepted his lot with grace. His fine Triple A season and impeccable character led the Phillies to add him to this year's ragged rebuilding effort. He has thrived as a part-time player and has served as an irreplaceable clubhouse element.

The clubhouse is where Marcus Hayes caught up with Francoeur - the visitor's clubhouse last weekend at Turner Field, a few hundred yards from where his rise to stardom began. He was still smiling, long after the fall.

Q Most of your family still live in this Atlanta area, and you live nearby, in Suwanee. You married your high school sweetheart. You haven't played for the Braves in six years. Are you still appreciated here?

I think people still appreciate me. They know how much I love this city, what it means to me. We'll always live here . . . This is my home.

Q You've been on teams with superstars, teams with playoff runs, teams with splendid tradition. Who has been your best teammate?

Probably [former Braves catcher, current Yankee] Brian McCann. He and I were best friends growing up. Then Alex Gordon, with Kansas City.

I respect guys who, bad game or good game, they accept responsibility. Accountability is a big thing with me, especially in this game.

My dad always used to tell me: It's easy to sign autographs when you're 3-for-4 with two doubles. What about when you're 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a little kid wants your autograph?

Q Growing up in college-football country, it must have been tough to turn down Clemson. Considering the explosive growth of the NFL in the past 15 years, do you regret the decision?

The only thing I ever regret is not getting the chance to run out in front of 90,000 fans at Clemson, and see how it felt to play in front of that.

I love baseball, but there's nothing like a three-hour football game. But everything else that goes with the week preparing for the game sucks.

I still go to a bunch of Clemson games, and I love the Falcons. I can do the Dirty Bird [Jamal Anderson's touchdown dance]. I have a Julio Jones jersey I wear.

Q You've played in Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Cleveland, San Diego and, of course, New York and Philly - rightfield in Philly, where the fans are on top of you. Who has the most demanding fans?

I'll say this: The Philly fans just expect . . . what's the word? More than anywhere else, they want you to hustle and play your ass off. And I'm fine with that.

Rightfield - the fans are awesome, but if you're not getting it done, they'll let you know about it.

When I was a visiting player I'd give it to those fans in rightfield pretty good, messing around with them. Now, I always just flash a "thumbs-up" and throw balls to them.

Q You have said that your faith helped you get through the past few years. At one point, you had Joshua 1:9, a verse that encourages bravery, stitched into your baseball gloves. Is it still there, and why was it important to you?

It's not stitched into my gloves anymore, but I write it on there sometimes.

When I was in high Class A ball, I got hit just below my right eye with a 96-mph fastball, trying to bunt. Stupid. I was in bad shape. I didn't know if I was done.

My mom kept reading that verse to me in the hospital. It stuck with me.