Ryan Franklin Criticizes Cardinals Fans, Apologizes

ST. LOUIS -- Demoted Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin criticized St. Louis fans for booing him after he gave up a home run in the first game of a doubleheader. After the second game, and after consulting with team officials, he apologized.

"I'm frustrated with myself. I can understand why the fans are frustrated," Franklin said in a statement to St. Louis media on Wednesday night. "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."

Franklin has blown four of five save chances and manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday that the 38-year-old pitcher would be used earlier in games for the time being. Franklin worked a perfect seventh against the Washington Nationals during an 8-6 loss in the opener, but gave up a booming home run to Laynce Nix in the eighth, prompting the boos.

"Sure, I hear it," Franklin told reporters from the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat and FOXSportsMidwest.com after Game 1. "I guess they've got short memories, too, because I think I've been pretty good here. It doesn't bother me, but you know, it just shows some people's true colors, you know?

"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. Just because you spent your money to come here and watch us play and somebody happens to make one bad pitch and gives up a homer, you don't start booing them."

Franklin concluded: "They're supposed to be the best fans in baseball. Yeah, right."

After the day-night doubleheader, Franklin told The Associated Press he didn't want to talk about it anymore and "didn't care" what the fans thought. He also hinted at team dissatisfaction.

"I've already said it and I don't want to repeat it," Franklin said. "I work for the Cardinals."

In his statement, Franklin said emotions had gotten the best of him. He also said St. Louis was his favorite city to play in.

"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," Franklin said.

"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."

Comments

[Edy Williams]

02:01 AM on 04/24/2011

In Golf,they "whisper" before shots! Where is the announcer to bother to say to the crowd,: Lets calm down "folks,let the ballplayers do Baseball here",how bout,"quiet now folks,watch the play!" time they had less razzing. it is uncalled for to pros from drunks!

[Clevelandinwi]

02:02 PM on 04/23/2011

When is albert going to start doing his 'style seminars' again? Is he appearing on the glennbek show now? The 'roids are getting to his brain. His 'implosion' is going to be sad/fun to watch.

[Clevelandinwi]

02:00 PM on 04/23/2011

When these self-appointed 'heros' are paid as much as they are, fans should be allowed to throw stuff at them if they choose.

[Clevelandinwi]

01:59 PM on 04/23/2011

Somewhere there is a 'LIST OF CREEPS' in baseball and franklin is on it, along with most of the cardinals and their coaches. It's the only team that has a majority of it's team on the list.

[HarukoHaruhara]

03:24 AM on 04/23/2011

Maybe it was a bout of 'roid rage.

[SonicUltimate]

11:25 AM on 04/22/2011

"I guess they've got short memories, too, because I think I've been pretty good here." No, you really haven't "done well" Ryan. You're so hit or miss in your pitching that it is a calculated risk to even let you play. The STL fans don't have short memories, your just a terrible reliever, and you've finally gotten worse to the point where the fans won't put up with your inconsistency. I didn't trust Izzy, and I don't trust you.

[John F Murdick]

01:26 AM on 04/22/2011

I'm a life-long baseball fan and feel fans have a right to boo and use that right whenever they want... but some fans cross the line and many are quite fickle. I'll never forget and still can't believe how Tiger fans boo'd the team during a tough stretch in 1984. This was one of the greatest teams of all time.. 35-5 to start the season... won 104 - lost 59 in reg season.. And yet some fans couldn't help themselves and booed their own heros... fickle....

[Dr Confuso]

08:44 PM on 04/21/2011

You're only as good as your last game. And if you're getting paid millions, we as fans sometimes wonder why pitchers can be good one day and horrible the next?

[NevadaLib]

05:44 PM on 04/21/2011

He is a metaphor for the Cardinals collapse as a whole.

[Apollo C Vermouth]

07:12 PM on 04/21/2011

What Cardinal collapse would that be?
Even with the Franklin problem, the Cardinals are tied for 1st with best record in the division the past 10 games.

[NevadaLib]

02:31 AM on 04/22/2011

i'm not worried about the team's ability to perform (necessarily) this year, but I look at Pujols being the demise of that club in the long run. Franklin is what, 37? The cards farm system isn't particularly strong, and if they extend Albert's contract for the 300 mil he wants, it will ruin their playoff chances for years to come. Franklin just highlights the clubs need for looking at cost certainty to replace aging players. Albert Pujols is the greatest player in baseball. That being said, his skill may surpass his ability to be compensated for it by all but a few clubs. It already looks like they are going to have to sell Carpenter at the end of the year regardless.

[3fingerbrown]

03:49 PM on 04/21/2011

I know the guy was upset about losing his job, but, geez, if you can't play for the St. Louis fans, you can't play for anyone. They're polite to the point of absurdity. Wait till he gets traded Philly or New York -- he'll have a nervous breakdown inside of a week.

[Joe The Nerd Ferraro]

03:52 PM on 04/21/2011

He WAS in Philly - we got rid of him and started winning - go figure.

[Beaglehounds]

04:53 PM on 04/21/2011

Ryan Franklin gets on my nerves. I live in St. Louis and am an avid Cardinal fan. He drives me nuts. We usually never boo one of our own but I think he should move on just like Issy.

[PatA]

12:37 AM on 04/22/2011

he should apologize for that beard.

[frankerin]

03:17 PM on 04/21/2011

Don't know you,the teams, even the game anymore. So I don't really care! But you may rest easy, people forget and your job will improve. Stress is normal. Learn to live with it.

[KarateKid]

02:50 PM on 04/21/2011

Hey Ryan, Giants fans like me are cheering you. LOL

[daffyduck142]

02:32 PM on 04/21/2011

so he was frustrated, with what he 's getting paid , get over it

[O K Ali]

02:11 PM on 04/21/2011

Time to take a play out of the Bobby Bonilla playbook and wear earplugs.

[sctlss94]

02:08 PM on 04/21/2011

I feel that he should have kept those comments to himself, especially in light of the support that he has received thus far from the St. Louis fans. The real fault lies at the feet of the management for putting him in as a closer when it is obvious he struggles in that capacity. Perhaps middle relief will suit him better.