BOSTON — Jeff Francoeur is baseball's biggest ambassador when it comes to mixing ballpark eats with a love for the game.
The friendly Kansas City outfielder has taken the tradition of good food and baseball to another level this season. He's sent food to fans at games and even headed toward the stands to get some chow of his own.
Francoeur has served up hometown barbecue in Kansas City, grabbed popcorn from a fan after chasing a foul ball against Chicago and even sent 20 pizzas to some Oakland fans who saved bacon for him from their pork-themed evening after heckling him in right field all night.
Francoeur said he's not opposed to continuing the tradition in Boston — but he'll need Red Sox fans to do their part.
"It's got to be a group [that impresses me]," he said. "You see, the Oakland fans impressed me — and, of course, our home fans."
Francoeur isn't a stranger to Fenway. He said his father's family grew up in Springfield, Mass., and he's played in Beantown plenty of times. The features that set Fenway apart, like the Green Monster, continue to be among his favorites.
"It's fun to play in some of these parks — you know, here and Wrigley," he said. "I loved old Yankee Stadium. There's nothing wrong with new Yankee Stadium, but I loved old Yankee Stadium, still. It's fun to play in some of these stadiums that have kind of withstood the test of time."
Francoeur also likes the one-of-a-kind fans in Boston, who are within poking distance of the players. He said he's heard some good ribbing from the Fenway Faithful (some of whom haven't taken kindly to fans wearing his jersey in the stands — who can forget this bat brawl?).
"Of course they make fun of my last name — I've heard it before," he said. "But for the most part, the fans are good around here."
But Francoeur was also hoping for a performance from those packing the stands over the weekend — one worthy of hand-delivered dinner.
And he already knew exactly what the menu items would be: clam chowder and Sam Adams.
Photo via Facebook/Jeff Francoeur
