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Julio Franco
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 397 of 1252 players
Julio Cesar Franco
Born: August 23, 1958 at Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 6.01 Weight: 188

Julio Franco was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on August 23, 2011, August 23, 2012, May 28, 2018, and August 23, 2021.

First Mets game: April 3, 2006
Last Mets game: July 7, 2007

Share your memories of Julio Franco HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY: Phil Thiegou April 28, 2006 Congrats on being the oldest MLBer to hit a home run. Let's hope he can do this for the Mets when he's 50, or 60 for that matter. Matt May 3, 2006 A great leader to young players, a classy guy and best of all still a productive hitter. Oldest player to hit a HR in Major League Baseball, and he did in a Met uniform. Dalkowski September 8, 2006 The Mets have been trying for a while with the whole "older player as extra coach" thing for a while, and they really flubbed it with Jay Bell and didn't get much from Gerald Williams. Heck, they got NEGATIVE results with the other "J. Franco." But with Julio Franco, that's changed. Not only does he seem to have a positive effect on the players and achieve the "extra coach" role, but he's also useful as a player. He's not hitting below .250 like Bell or Williams, and really does come across as a genuine ballplayer. He has some pop off the bench, and in my mind he'll probably be a bit like Jesse Orosco, career- wise...he'll keep playing until he can no longer physically play. Mr. Sparkle September 13, 2006 Congrats on being the oldest dude to hit a dinger and steal a base. Now retire please. I haven't seen him get a big hit in, well, I can't really remember any big hit. He's a double play machine. When he struck out with the bases loaded and one out last night against the Marlins I was happy since at least he didn't hit into another double play. I appreciate him coaxing Beltran into taking a curtain call back in April but other than that, has he done anything? George Blanda and Gordie Howe were hall of Famers. Julio Franco played in Japan because no one esle wanted him. I know I'm being a little too cruel but he really adds nothing to the team offensively. Let him be a coach if he's good in the locker room. Jamey Bumbalo September 17, 2006 Although Mr. Sparkle may have been a bit too negative in his comments (as he acknowledged), Julio's time may indeed be up. I was pysched when the Mets signed Franco, and it's truly amazing that at 48 he is still playing (and in great shape); also, I want to watch in him in a Mets uniform in 2007 (and in 2008, when he turns 50). But... Julio's average has been dropping all season (although it's .263 as of Sept. 16), and more disturbing, he's striking out more and more frequently. It seems like every time he comes up to pinch hit he strikes out, and does so with runners on base. I'm definitely rooting for him, but maybe no one can still be a bonafide major league hitter at age 48--but I hope I'm wrong! Go, Julio! Mike from da Bronx December 30, 2006 Throughout the 2006 season I used to pray that Julio would be sent up to pinch hit with nobody on. Why? Eleven GIDP in 165 ABs. That's why. Love having him on my team but how about coaching 1st or 3rd in 2007? Mets07 March 16, 2007 A great addition to the ballclub. Franco brings leadership and a steady PH'er off the bench. I think with a couple more starts in there, his average will climb a little. Jamey Bumbalo June 5, 2007 I hate to criticize Julio, because I respect him so much for still playing at his age, and I hope he's still playing at 50. But, as of June 4 he's batting .167 and has struck out in one-third of his at-bats (12/36). I hope I'm wrong, but the end may be near. Joe Figliola June 13, 2007 I hope he continues to play for a couple of more seasons. Why? Because he is one of only three players in baseball that are older than me (44). The others? Jamie Moyer and that greedy fat boy in the Bronx. pete October 7, 2007 Played for the Alexandria Dukes in 1980 in the Carolina League. Julio was the star shortstop for the Peninsula Pilots. He was touted as being only 16 years old at the time. Hmmmm.....that would now make him 43 years old, not the 48 or 49 that he supposedly is today. Regardless, he was a super talent back then Jonathan Stern July 27, 2012 Julio Franco was one of a few geezers that Omar Minaya brought to the Mets to provide veteran leadership. In most cases, these veterans were either too hurt or too old to provide much of anything, and Franco was no exception. However, Franco did do one cool thing during his time here: Early in the 2006 season, Carlos Beltran hit a home run, then, out of bitterness towards the fans for their harsh treatment of him in 2005, he refused to take a curtain call. Franco, however, pushed Beltran out of the dugout as fast as possible and the CF took his curtain call like he should have. From that point on, he had no problems with the fans and vice versa. More to the point, the Mets coasted to a division title, with Beltran's great play a major factor. I don't know to what extent Franco's gesture was a turning point in the 2006 season, but it did contribute. Franco claimed that the secret to his longevity was egg whites. Okay. Shickhaus Franks May 26, 2014 He's part George Foreman, part Mick Jagger. At age 55, Julio is ready to become a member of the independent Fort Worth Cats! Julio is "YOUNG AT HEART". Alex May 19, 2020 My primary wish was for Franco to play until he was 50. That never happened, but he got darned close. My primary memory of Franco -- I remember reading in an article some years ago, likely when he was in a Mets uniform, that Franco was able to play so long because he sold his soul to the devil. It was obviously tongue-in-cheek, but I remember it to this day, nevertheless.

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