Via STLSportsMinute:
Ryan Franklin has been brutal all season.
There is not a single way you can sugar coat it.
He has a a 9.40 ERA and is 0-2 on the young season. He has also blown 4 saves in 5 opportunities through 18 games in 2011.
Brutal is the only way you can describe it.
So, when Cardinals fans booed Franklin after he allowed an 8th inning home run to Washington Nationals outfielder Laynce Nix, Ryan Franklin got upset.
Sure La Russa made a mistake leaving Franklin out their for a second inning of work after a 1-2-3 7th inning, Franklin still got blistered. Again.
So while the opposition continues to bash Franklin's pitches, Franklin decided to bash Cardinals fans who booed him on Wednesday afternoon.
Here is what Franklin told B.J. Rains of Fox Sports Midwest regarding his treatment by the home town fans during Wednesday's game.
"I guess they have short memories too because I think I've been pretty good here. It doesn't bother me, but it just shows some people's true colors. You're either a fan or you're not. "
"You don't boo your own team. I don't care who you are or what you say or just because you spent your money to come here to watch us play that somebody happens to make one bad pitch and give up a homer and you are going to start booing him? I've been here for five years, and four years I've been pretty good."
"You should go write stories about the fans booing. They are supposed to be the best fans in baseball. Yeah right."
Strong words from a reliever who has yet to make a strong pitch this entire season.
Updated!
After the Cardinals victory in the second game of the double header, Franklin contacted Cardinals beat reporter Matthew Leach to apologize for his statements.
“Obviously these last 2 1/2 weeks have been frustrating for me, and I’m frustrated with myself. I can understand why the fans are frustrated. I’ve loved my time here in St. Louis. It’s my favorite place to play. It’s just a frustrating time for me right now, because I feel like I’m letting everyone down.
“First and foremost, I’m letting myself down. I’m letting the team down and obviously the fans. It’s just been a hard time for me right now, and it’s something I’ve never been through. It’s just really frustrating. Things didn’t come out the right way. It was right after the game and I said things I shouldn’t have said. I apologize for that. It was the wrong thing to say, but at the same time I was frustrated. I am frustrated. I’m just trying to do my best to do everything I can to get back on track. So that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to get back out there and help this team.”
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