KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- Jeff Francoeur is the first to concede that his career hasn't gone quite as expected.
From the cover of Sports Illustrated at 21 to battling for a job at 32, it's been a long, strange journey for the player once dubbed ''The Natural.''
At least Francoeur is back where he feels he belongs.
''It was time to come home,'' Francoeur said, gazing out toward the field after a recent spring training workout with the Atlanta Braves, smiling from ear to ear.
Like the prodigal son, Francoeur rejoined his hometown team, the team where it all started, shortly before the start of spring training.