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The Braves Book Workblog: Frenchy Does The First Interview
By Jay Busbee | June 6, 2007
Now that the glow of announcing the upcoming Braves dynasty book has faded, it’s time to get down to actually writing the damn thing. Had the first of what will no doubt be dozens, probably even hundreds, of interviews for the book today; sat down for a good long conversation with Jeff Francoeur. Frenchy’s one of the best athlete interviews around — insightful, self-aware, doesn’t string together cliches as a crutch — and told some good stories, like how he was less than a week from starting two-a-days as a Clemson cornerback when the Braves signed him, and also some more background on that dustup he had with Alex Rodriguez at the USA Baseball Classic last year.
I can already see the problem that’s going to crop up with this book — far, far, far too much information for the space allotted (about 95,000 words, give or take.) At the moment, it feels like trying to grab hold of a Jeep-sized mountain of cotton candy. But it’s going to be the inside details that’ll nail this one — like the fact that Brian McCann was the first one to inform Francoeur that he (Jeff) was getting called up. Francoeur was at dinner and had ignored the call from Atlanta, but McCann saw Francoeur’s sparkly new jersey hanging in the Braves’ locker room and called with congratulations.
The first deadline for the book is August 1, when I’ll need to prepare a complete book outline and a couple of sample chapters. Right now, 2005 will be one. The second will depend on how interviews go over the next few weeks. We shall, of course, keep you posted.
Topics: Braves, Ego Tripping, The Braves Book |
June 6th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
mmmmm cotton candy.
Do I get a galley of this biotch in 2 years?
And more importantly, can you send me the recording of the Alejandro Pena interview when it goes down?
June 7th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Absolutely, bro. When this comes out, I’m going to be BEGGING to be on the show. I’ll even get Alejandro to coo you a lullaby.
(If I can even find the guy. Some of these dudes are like soldiers of fortune — they disappear into the Central American jungles and you never hear from them again.)
June 7th, 2007 at 8:38 am
The only way I know to track down Soldiers of Fortune is through the chinese laundry.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:36 am
You know you’ve got to do a whole Frenchy & Heap chapter. There’s enough material. I’d heard the story about Heap tipping him off about his call up before — how appropriate! — but I’m excited to know more about the A-Rod confrontation, which is one of the best Frenchy legends ever.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Plan is to devote a separate chapter to each year of the dynasty, spotlighting an individual Brave that somehow embodies that year. Frenchy’s 2005, Heap’s 2006. I’ve already laid out my choices for the rest, but I’d love to hear yours.
And Jenny, if you’re up for looking at some early drafts, I’ll hit you up. Could always use some Braves-educated eyes catching my mistakes.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
91 - Steve Avery
92 - Lemke
95 - Blauser (I think 95??)
Are you going to avoid the “Big 3″?
I’d also like to know why millwood didn’t start the first game of the playoffs that one year (04?) when he was appreciably better than anyone else on the team - and not even close.
They were my Series pick, but then ruined it by not starting Woody first and losing in the first round.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
On first pass, it’s 91–Pendleton, 92–Avery, 95–Justice (the World Series homer). Lemke and Millwood may end up falling into that “and also starring” hole…there were just too many players to cover during those early years.
June 7th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Dude, not LEMKE! YOU GOTTA GIVE LEMKE ONE!
June 8th, 2007 at 9:00 am
I would love early drafts!