Jeff Francoeur now a veteran presence in young Phillies clubhouse

A DAY AFTER the Phillies removed Ruben Amaro Jr. as general manager, Jeff Francoeur was up to his usual antics in the team's clubhouse before a doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs, joking with his teammates, old and young, and making them practically fall out of their seats with laughter.

Francoeur was all smiles, but he took no pleasure from the exit of Amaro, who gave the 31-year-old outfielder another shot in the big leagues when his career seemed to be fading around this time last year.

After hitting .268 with 73 home runs in the first four years of his major league career with the Atlanta Braves, Francoeur was traded to the New York Mets halfway through his fifth season in 2009. A year later, he was traded to the Texas Rangers, and has since been with the Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres.

Coming off a Triple A stint with the El Paso Chihuahuas of the Padres' organization in 2014, Francoeur signed a minor league contract with the Phillies last November.

"Frenchy" hasn't forgotten Amaro's kindness.

"Ruben treated me great, man," Francoeur said. "He brought me in, gave me a chance. For me, it was tough to see , just because I really enjoyed getting to know him this year.

"I think the tough thing here was all the iconic players kind of were the same age for a long time, so for years, no one cared, no one thought, and all of a sudden . . . Bam! It happened. And I think that was a tough hand for him there."

Francoeur was referring to Amaro's trades that sent franchise cornerstones Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels and Chase Utley away.

Both 36, Rollins, who was traded last December, and Utley were reunited in mid-August when Amaro dealt Utley to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hamels, 31, was traded to the Texas Rangers at the July trade deadline.

With Hamels and Utley moving on from their posts as longtime leaders in the Phillies' clubhouse, Francoeur, an 11-year veteran, relishes the opportunity to mentor the team's young, talented core this season.

"It's been good," he said. "It's given me an opportunity to get to know some of the young guys, helping out Odubel [Herrera] and Aaron [Altherr] in the outfield and really just learning a little bit about what makes them tick, how they play, and helping them out with certain pitchers.

"It's been a fun year for me personally, and, obviously, our record's not where any of us want it to be, but, at the same time, there's a lot of good things that have happened this year, too, and hopefully that the fans can kind of look to going forward."

Francoeur went 2-for-4, with two singles, and made his 60th start in the outfield in Game 1 of a doubleheader Friday night as the major league-worst Phillies fell to the Cubs, 5-1, at Citizens Bank Park. He also started Game 2 of the twinbill.

Rookie lefthander Adam Morgan (5-6) allowed four runs for the third time in his last four starts as he exited with no outs in the sixth inning.

Altherr, a rookie rightfielder, provided the Phillies' only run on a second-inning solo shot off Cubs starter Jake Arrieta (19-6). It was Arrieta's first earned run allowed since an RBI double by Chicago White Sox infielder Alexei Ramirez on Aug. 15.

The last time Francoeur played the Cubs, he hit a two-out, game-winning home run in the 10th inning on July 24 to give the Phillies a 5-3 victory, which sparked a three-game series sweep at Wrigley Field.

Francoeur entered the nightcap hitting .273, his highest average since 2011 (.285), with 12 homers and 43 RBI.

He's not the everyday player he was with the Braves from 2005-09, but says he's OK with that. Francoeur has especially enjoyed his new role as the Phillies' go-to pinch-hitter in big spots.

Before joining the Phillies, Francoeur was 4-for-31 as a pinch-hitter. In 2015, he is 11-for-23 with one home run and 11 RBI.

"I definitely didn't think I'd have the numbers I do pinch-hitting," he said. "I think I'd be lying if I said that, but at the same time, I've enjoyed taking on that role and really grinding it out, because the good thing for me now is that [manager Pete Mackanin] has put me in some great spots to pinch-hit, and, when I say great, I mean, the game's on the line or we need a hit here."

Francoeur, who will be a free agent following this season, said he wants to stay in Philadelphia. He said he loves the city, the fans and his new role as a mentor to the Phillies' youth.

Before heading to the ballpark yesterday, Francoeur and teammates Cody Asche and Cameron Rupp made a visit to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Francoeur posed for photos with patients and signed autographs and even a few casts.

"Frenchy's the ultimate teammate," Mackanin said. "This guy is a pleasure to be around. He's always in a good mood. Always comes to play. Continually bugs me about getting in the lineup, even though he's not.

"He's just been a real pleasure to be around. I like the way he competes, and he just enjoys playing."