From 1999 through 2002 Jeff was UBC's dominant pitcher, ultimately achieving pre-season All-American status while at the same time showcasing UBC's baseball program to the baseball world. Set eleven UBC career pitching records, was NAIA first-team All-American, three time Academic All-Canadian and the 2002 winner of the Bobby Gaul award. A first round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies, he was in 2004 named baseball's Minor League Player of the Year. In 2007 after a 17 - 9 season was named starting pitcher in Colorado's inaugural World Series game.
It can perhaps be said no one in the history of UBC varsity sports has been so dominant and ultimately so successful as Jeff Francis.
From 1999 through 2002 the Thunderbird pitcher jump-started UBC's baseball program bringing to UBC both success on the field and attention from all corners of North America.
Graduating as a straight A student in 1999 from high school in Delta, B.C., the UBC freshman quickly showed T-Bird coach Terry McKaig he had the innate ability to both compete and learn from his mistakes. After giving up 10 runs in 5 innings in the 18 year old's first start (against Lewis and Clark State the top team in the NAIA), Francis rebounded in his next start striking out 12 in 8 innings against this same team.
Coach McKaig's prize recruit chose UBC (over baseball powerhouses Oregon State and San Diego State) for its academics - his favorite course among his UBC Physics courses being Biophysics, the study of how cancer cells respond to radiation. Francis never played hockey... baseball was more of a thinking sport where he could apply his fondness for scientific exactitude.
It was the 2001 season that would be Francis' breakout year. Featured in USA Today's Baseball Weekly as "one of the best left handers in college baseball", Francis with his fluid and graceful motion led UBC with a 12-3 record and a miniscule 0.92 ERA, throwing 6 shutouts including a stretch of 46 scoreless innings, all against top-rated NAIA competition.
As a by-product of this incredible season UBC for the first time was able to land games against NCAA Division I competition although some of the major programs were reluctant to face Francis. Francis could beat them and to be beaten by a Canadian school would be a significant source of embarrassment.
Following this 2001 UBC season Francis pitched in the prospect-laden Alaskan Baseball League only confirming his ranking as one of baseball's best amateur pitchers. He went 7-1 winning the National Baseball Congress World Series MVP and Alaska Baseball League Player of the Year honours. His performance and reputation would pave the way for future Thunderbirds to receive this same Alaskan opportunity. "American baseball people know where UBC is now" said coach McKaig.
In addition to his competiveness, unflappability and pitching command, Francis' success stems from his 93 MPH fastball. The average speed of a lefthander's fastball in the Major Leagues is 86 MPH. Moreover Francis was described as "a very advanced, poised kid," in the words of Seattle G.M. Pat Gillick, one of the myriad of Major League scouts and G.M.s now taking notice.
As the 2002 season began Baseball America, the baseball authority, made Francis the first ever from a Canadian university to be named to its pre-season All-American team. The season started by Francis shutting down Division I Missouri 6-3. "As long as we keep winning the way we are now... anybody in Canada is going to want to come here (UBC) "enthused Francis. As this magical season progressed for the Thunderbirds, Francis was again instrumental in creating its winning season pitching 75 innings and striking out 101, a total that would have been higher were he not using some of his lesser effective pitches to accommodate scouts. In his final two seasons at UBC ('01 & '02) he struck out 209 in 173 innings with only 31 walks, winning 19 and losing five.
By season's end Francis was not only recognized internationally as a top professional baseball prospect but was also selected Sport B.C.'s 2002 University Athlete of the Year and UBC's Bobby Gaul award winner as UBC's outstanding male athlete of the year in terms of performance, character and sportsmanship. According to coach McKaig, "We have a bunch of kids looking at Jeff Francis as a role model... they follow his work ethic and preparation..." "He's the guy you can set your goals around" stated teammate Brooks McNiven.
By the summer of '02 Baseball America had described Francis (and Adam Loewen) as "about to crack Major League Baseball's draft as no foreigners ever have... A hometown kid stayed home and still reached the First Round." Francis was indeed a draft day sensation being selected in the first round, 9th overall by the Colorado Rockies. He and Loewen were and are the highest drafted Canadians ever.
The attention drawn by Francis had an effect on his UBC teammates. "To be around Jeff and everything that's gone on this year, its really helped me get a chance to play pro baseball" said pitcher Jeff Brewer who was also drafted. Francis had time to put down his Physics text to say, "I can't believe this is happening... I mean, who would have believed it?"
Francis quickly signed with Colorado starting his career with Tri-Cities of the Northwest League. With the euphoria of the draft and pro contract only slightly subsiding, Jeff announced, "I'm so proud to be able to do this, to be on the cover of Baseball America with a Canadian flag over my shoulder. That's always where I'm going to be from. I'll never forget it!"
Looking back on his UBC career, Francis was twice selected to the NAIA 1st All-American team, was an Academic All-Canadian three years and set eleven UBC career pitching records.
Jeff moved up through the Colorado organization quickly (in roughly two years) and in dominant fashion including being named baseball's Minor League Player of the Year in 2004. His Rockies coaches raved about his modesty, perceptiveness, intelligence and adaptability.... "He is anti-ego, universally thought of as a good guy." Even Boston Red Sox ace Josh Beckett was impressed, "He never changes moods... it impressed me how even-keel he was". In 2007 Francis was the Rockies ace starter going 19-9 (including two playoff victories) and starting pitcher for Colorado in its initial World Series game - from the UBC classroom to the pinnacle of the baseball world! Moreover, how many UBC'ers get to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated?
In 2020, Jeff was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, 12 years following his induction into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame. In 2022, Jeff joined John Haar as the second former Thunderbirds in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
"Jeff has really helped put the UBC program on the map... I talk to Little Leaguers who say they want to play at UBC.... Jeff's an amazing kid who has been an absolute joy to coach!" stated his coach and friend Terry McKaig. The feeling was mutual as Jeff stated, "I wanted to go south and play for a Division I school but now when I look back this has been the best decision I ever made... I think I always knew what I wanted to do and UBC is where I had a chance to show it."
We enjoy these moments because frankly the chances of another Jeff Francis coming along at UBC are, well, exceedingly difficult to imagine.
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian, with assistance from Terry McKaig, Head Coach UBC Baseball
