Not bad for a youngster from North Delta who attended Burnsview Senior Secondary and played ball for the Delta Blue Jays organization, followed by a stint at UBC while getting a Major in Physics while playing for the Thunderbirds.
He was selected in the 1st round (9th pick overall) by the Colorado Rockies in the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft along with Surrey’s Adam Loewen who was selected at fourth overall in the same draft.
Both received much publicity as they were drafted higher than any other Canadian baseball players up to that time and Francis was signed by Greg Hopkins, which proved to be successful.
He made his major league debut August 25/04 against the Braves in a1 decision, pitching five innings, allowing six runs (on three home runs), walking one, while striking out eight hitters.
He earned his first career victory came September 5/04, against the Padres with 51⁄3 scoreless innings in a 5–2 victory.
Following all this he finds his way to Yankee Stadium and plays under the lime-light of hall of famers and now sitting in the same dressing room as Derek Jeter.
We wish him all the best and driving the streets in the “Big Apple” beats driving 112th.
Congrats!!!
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