Oct. 10, 2007

By Louie Novak, NAIA Sports Information

America's past time this October has a little added interest for the University of British Columbia and surrounding area in Vancouver. Normally this time of year hockey is the focus of attention for the Canadians. However, this autumn, things are a little different. Pick up a Vancouver newspaper or tune into the area sports coverage and you will find that baseball and one of the country's brightest young stars is taking center stage.

"The past couple of weeks this area has had the most baseball attention I think we have ever had," UBC Head Coach Terry McKaig said. "The media is catching on to the big story and it seems everywhere you go, people are really into the playoffs."

All of this attention can be credited to the former Thunderbird standout and two-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America pitcher Jeff Francis. Francis has been able to write himself into what is now becoming an unbelievable story for Major League baseball. The 6-5, 17-game winner for the Colorado Rockies has played a significant role in the teams red-hot winning streak that has them charging into the National League Championship Series.

The Rockies have won 17 of their last 18 games and are coming off a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies. Francis started game one of the series, which was just the second post-season appearance in Colorado's 15-year history. Prior to the game, the Rockies had gone 14-1 down the stretch and erased a four and a half game deficit to make the playoffs as a wild-card. Francis squared off against the leagues highest scoring club, a team that blasted the 26-year-old lefty in two regular season meetings.

No pressure right?

The three-year veteran responded by throwing six solid innings in Colorado's 4-2 victory.  Francis turned in a solid performance giving up only four hits while striking out eight for the Rockies first playoff victory since 1995 and second in franchise history.

Francis brushed off his regular-season struggles against Philadelphia and shut down the team's best hitters. The Phillies big bopper Ryan Howard, short stop Jimmy Rollins, and second baseman Chase Utley combined to go 0-for-11 on the day. Many were surprised that the game wasn't a slugfest, but those who know Francis were confident he would make the best of his opportunity.

"I knew Jeff has always had an unbelievable work ethic," McKaig said. "From the time he set foot on our campus, I knew if he worked hard enough, he would make it. One thing about Jeff, never doubt what he can do. It is very surreal for me to watch him play. Considering where he came from and how far he has gone, it is very special for me. "

The path Francis took to the professional level is quite different then the majority of today's big leaguers. The Vancouver native chose to polish his skills at UBC rather then attend a school in the United States, a decision which at the time certainly wasn't the norm.

"When Jeff came to us in 2002, he didn't throw all that hard," McKaig said. "We were extremely excited to get him because he had the ability to win games, the kid has that intangible which is pretty hard to find."

Francis certainly didn't disappoint McKaig. One glance at the UBC record book will show you just how incredible his career as a Thunderbird was. The lefty owns 11 all-time records and completely dominated the competition during his NAIA career. The positive impact Francis has had on the school and Canada continues to this day.

"What Jeff did was show the whole country that it doesn't matter where you play. If you have the ability and desire, the big leagues are going to take you," McKaig said. "Whether it is the NCAA, NAIA or junior college, it doesn't matter. Jeff serves as an example that you don't have to go to the U.S. to make it."

Colorado drafted the future UBC hall of famer in the first round of the 2002 draft with the ninth overall pick. In just his second full season in the major leagues, Francis led the Rockies in wins for a second consecutive season by going 13-11 with a 4.16 ERA. Since Francis, 10 Thunderbirds have gone on to be drafted.

Thursday Francis will again take the mound in the first game of what is sure to be an exciting series. He is set to start game one of the National League Championship Series match up against the Arizona Diamondbacks with the first pitch scheduled to be thrown at 7:37 (CST). The Canadian will attempt to keep the freight train that is the Colorado team on track and the winning streak alive. For the time being, skates and hockey pucks will have to remain in the Vancouver closets; Francis has the county enjoying "Rocktober."