Lost in Translation - Is Francis joining Team Canada after all?

by Rox Girl on Jan 19, 2009 3:13 PM MST in Rockpile

Despite Jeff Francis reportedly being ineligible according to a blog report from Troy Renck last month, apparently both the pitcher and Team Canada are preceding as if all things are go for the Rockies left-hander to participate in the WBC.

via www.checkoutmycards.com

In a report focusing on whether Ryan Dempster or Rich Harden are going to enlist for our neighbors from up North, we get this blurb:

Jeff Francis is a go right now, although there are murmurs the Colorado Rockies aren't thrilled with the thought of their ace taking part again.

Given the reports we've heard this winter from Renck and others, I wonder if the Rockies even actually know about Jeff's intentions here. If Jeff is participating, he would join what's turning out to be a pretty healthy list of Rockies in the event.

UPDATE:

As Russ mentions in a comment, Jack Etkin in a blog post disputes the Canadian Press report linked above for the same reasons Renck does, that is, Francis would be inelligible to play in the WBC after being inactive at the end of the 2008 season.

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urg

please no

Jiri Hudler...our underrated MVP

by TuLoRocks2008 on Jan 19, 2009 3:51 PM MST reply actions

"O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

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by Russ Oates on Jan 19, 2009 3:58 PM MST reply actions

The "Ace" line killed me

Jeff Francis….not an ace…heh.

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by Andrew Martin on Jan 19, 2009 4:13 PM MST reply actions

LMAO

that got me too.

Should have read, “There number 3 starter, with a bad shoulder and an 89MPH fastball.”

"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year", Rox Girl 1-11-2009

by Redhawk on Jan 19, 2009 4:45 PM MST up reply actions

89?

That’s a bit generous don’t ya think?

by cocainelips99 on Jan 20, 2009 11:48 AM MST up reply actions

Nah, it's about accurate

It wasn’t meant to say “LOL FRANSIS SUCXKS” so much as “Wow…good to see you guys have paid ANY attention to this team since the WS”

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by Andrew Martin on Jan 20, 2009 11:52 AM MST up reply actions

WBC

Here’s how I look at the WBC. If it’s going to happen, teams have to be willing to let their players take part, and fans have to accept the players are going to participate. I actually think it’s probably good for baseball overall, since the Olympics will likely continue to be a no go (and even if baseball gets back in, it seems like a longshot that the pros will be involved, which is probably part of the reason it’s not in to begin with). So I accept that Rockies players are going to be a part of it. There’s no use complaining.

And I have to admit that I’m an Olympics junkie, and this is too much like that for me to root for the US to get knocked out early even if we have players on the roster. But I have no problem rooting for other countries to get knocked out early. Heh.

by holly96 on Jan 19, 2009 4:41 PM MST reply actions

I never, ever get so worked up over national pride

than during the Olympics. I become this easily angered borderline racist jingoist freak of nature. The Chinese are cheaters, the Russians are cheaters, they’re ALL cheaters you cheaters how about you win a game by NOT hurting our players or cheating you cheating cheaters."

Oh and i’m going to the WBC this year.

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by Andrew Martin on Jan 19, 2009 4:43 PM MST up reply actions

Ha

I’m probably not quite that bad. But I definitely am into it enough to suddenly become an expert on sports I only watch once every four years. And if I could take off work during those 2-3 weeks and do nothing but sit on my couch and watch the Olympics, I would.

by holly96 on Jan 19, 2009 5:03 PM MST up reply actions

We're convinced.

My roommate and I are sure that the Chinese have “Smart Water” where it becomes like jello if a chinese diver is jumping, and it doesn’t splash, but when a US diver is going, it’s high-splash.

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by Andrew Martin on Jan 19, 2009 5:42 PM MST up reply actions

I think it might be more that the chinese divers

seem to be shaped like torpedoes and the American divers are shaped like linebackers. Just my .02.

by cocainelips99 on Jan 20, 2009 11:50 AM MST up reply actions

jingoism knows no logic.

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by Andrew Martin on Jan 20, 2009 12:03 PM MST up reply actions

Uh

the whole cheating line was supposed to be in quotes.

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by Andrew Martin on Jan 19, 2009 4:44 PM MST reply actions

I FAIL AT FORUMS TODAY

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by Andrew Martin on Jan 19, 2009 4:44 PM MST up reply actions

Jack Etkin

disputes the whole thing, due to the reason Renck offered in the first link.

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Jan 19, 2009 4:58 PM MST reply actions

I'm glad this is cleared up...

But I wish Etkin wouldn’t point the blame on the falsehood on an “internet Report”, as the Canadian Press which is responsible for the story I linked to, is their equivalent to our AP, and a well established print news syndicate.

by Rox Girl on Jan 19, 2009 5:07 PM MST up reply actions

Exactly what is Francis' status?

From the Etkin blog, sounds like he’ll be way behind when pitchers and catchers report. This doesn’t sound good for his inclusion in the rotation early on.

by pedalpusher on Jan 19, 2009 6:28 PM MST reply actions