1007_GDP_WED_CLASS_Classifieds 10/6/2015 4:48 PM Page B9 gwinnettdailypost.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 • B9 gwinnettdailypost.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015 • 9B Central McCann, Yanks did well but faded •From Page 1B We get that BY GUY CURTRIGHT all the time Staff Correspondent much longer, yet steady, that we’re a build-up since Wofford finesse team Brian McCann set a took over the program in “ and we’re career high with 26 homers 2010, and it hasn’t always not physical for the New York Yankees been easy, with three los- up front. We this season and matched his ing marks in his first four wanted to best RBI season with 94. seasons. change that, Like his team as a He brought some especially whole, though, the former radical changes to the these last Atlanta Braves catcher program both on offense, two years.” wilted down the stretch. where he shifted to a — Central Gwinnett’s Injuries took a toll on the wide-open spread attack, Tim Gary Yankees, who were passed and defense, which more by the Toronto Blue Jays in recently switched from a the American League East 4-3 to a 3-4 set. to be turned for the Black and had to settle for the More importantly, he Knights, who still think wild-card game. But so did brought a different culture of themselves as hav- late declines by many of that filtered all the way ing something to prove their veteran players. down through the Central as they head down the McCann hit just .175 in varsity, junior varsity and stretch. his last 28 games, dropping freshman programs and That’s understandable, his season batting average even into the school’s given the fact that Central to .232. feeder program in the is still two wins away The Duluth graduate and Lawrenceville Youth As- from securing back-to- Suwanee resident was able sociation. back winning seasons for to avoid the injuries that New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits a two-run home run against the New “Coming from the the first time since having York Mets during a game this season at Citi Field. (Photo: Brad Penner/USA Today set him back in his final Sports) youth association, it was three straight winning seasons with the Braves, like, ‘I don’t really know campaigns from 2004-06. but catching a long seasons year as in 2014, most of when he homered and ly rough for me,” McCann about Central,’” Adams The Black Knights means a lot of wear and his other numbers were up. drove in four runs against said then. “But I’m back to admitted. “But Coach are also trying to change tear for a 31-year-old. He had a .320 on-base per- the Braves. driving the baseball again. (Wofford) really started perceptions of outsid- Atlanta made no attempt centage thanks to 52 walks At the time, the Yankees I’m back working counts, changing these guys’ ers, some of whom view to re-sign McCann as a and posted a .437 slugging were in first place and things that I always did minds and hearts. … Me them mainly as a finesse free agent and he received mark. McCann was happy to when I was here.” and my parents had a lot team that has relied the a five-year deal worth $85 One of his last big have bounced back from The rest of the season, of patience with Coach past few years on strong- million from the Yankees games at the plate in the a sometimes trying first though, didn’t go as hoped Wofford and his staff,” armed quarterbacks like prior to last season. regular season, though, season in the American in New York, leaving the Adams said. “So, we Micah Maxey, as well Although his batting came in his first back at League. Yankees in the AL wild- stuck with them.” as prolific receivers like average was the same this Turner Field on Aug. 28, “Last year was obvious- card game. That loyalty has finally Major Bellamy. begun to pay off. But the Black Knights Those seventh-graders have shown plenty of have grown into a very ability to get physical, talented senior class in whether it’s short-yardage many different ways. situations on offense or Francoeur finds niche as pinch-hitter From a physical especially on defense, BY GUY CURTRIGHT his career, but they repre- standpoint, Adams has where hard hitters like Staff Correspondent sent a bounce-back season. blossomed from a small, Adams (42 tackles, 1 Francoeur spent almost speedy running back into sack, 3 INTs) and Tim Pinch hitting is not an all of 2014 in the minors a 6-foot, 230-pound line- Gary (team-high 46 tack- easy task for a free swinger and had to make the Phil- backer, and other Black les, 4 sacks) have begun like Jeff Francoeur, but lies as a non-roster player Knights have undergone to flex their muscles. the 31-year-old mastered in spring training. similar transformations. The ability to go nose the role this year with the The Phillies became his More importantly, to nose in the trenches Philadelphia Phillies. seventh major league team every class in Central’s will come in handy as the The former Parkview and the Suwanee resident program has now grown Black Knights attempt to two-sport sensation led the isn’t guaranteed a spot for up in, and has become demonstrate they belong majors part of the season next year. well-schooled in, Wof- among the region’s elite and finished batting .367 Philadelphia is rebuild- ford’s systems and his with showdowns with (11-for-30) with a homer ing and needs roster spots philosophy, which he says state-ranked Grayson and and 11 RBIs. for its young players. But has built the necessary Archer following Friday’s “I’ve enjoyed the heck Francoeur is valued for his continuity in the program. game with Brookwood. out of playing in Philadel- clubhouse presence, as was “It’s been a process,” “We get that a lot. We phia and I think the role I shown late this season. Wofford said. “I met all get that all the time that have is a good one for me,” Francoeur was pulled those (seniors) at the we’re a finesse team and he said. back off waivers after be- L.Y.A. (six years ago), we’re not physical up Seeing most of his ing claimed by a contender and it’s cool to see how front,” Gary said. “We time in right field when a rather than being part of a they’ve developed. Now wanted to change that, left-hander was starting, trade. The Phillies wanted we don’t have to teach especially these last two Francoeur batted .258 with to keep him around in (the system) as much as years. We’ve got lineback- 13 homers and 45 RBIs in September. we did five or six years ers that like to hit. We’ve 119 games. “I know I want to stay in ago. It’s a matter of got (defensive) linemen Those numbers don’t baseball in some role after Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur (3) looks learning the verbiage and that are moving around, come close to those the I finish playing,” he said. at umpire Kerwin Danley (44) after being called out on learning what’s expected and even (defensive strikes this season against the Miami Marlins at Citizens former Atlanta Braves first- “But I hope that’s down of them.” backs) that come down round pick put up early in the road.” Bank Park. (Photo: Eric Hartline/USA Today Sports) There are other corners and make a hit, too.” WEDNESDAY, O CTOBER 7, 20 15 PUBLIC SALES/ PUBLIC SALES/ AUCTIONS AUCTIONS FULL TIME FULL TIME FULL TIME FULL TIME FULL TIME Melissa Valasquez cash only and paid at the ALCOHOLIC Unit 122 above referenced facility in DRIVERS LABORERS MEDICAL BILLING CDL/A $3000 Sign On MV Communications, TRAINEES NEEDED! 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