Julio Franco

Guess the baseball players see what the Rock and Rollers are doing so they are getting on the same plane

I fondly remember watching Julio play here in Texas when I was in high school. And, well, that's been a while ago....

Great to see him still getting it done.

It really is amazing how long he has been playing.

Everyone talks about steroids these days, but I wish more would be made about Julio and his tremendous nutritional/exercise habits.

You have to be impressed with Franco at his age and what he can do.

I was watching a Mets game a few weeks ago. Not in the lineup, he stopped Jose Guillen and calmed him down after Pedro plunked him, then when Carlos Beltran refused to ackowledge the Shea crowd, Franco walked him out to the top step of the dugout and made him wave to the crowd. He's a leader in the clubhouse, and that speaks volumes to his value to a team.

I just regret that Julio's not still a Brave. Letting him leave was not one of the Brave management's better decisions.

To play an inning in mlb is a huge accomplishment. To be one of the better players over a long career is incredibly difficult.
To just be on a roster at 40 is amazing. Still productive at 47 is mind-boggling.
Not sure how mlb pension works - he may have attained max benefit 15 years ago!

Wonder if he gets to double dip, with a pension from his years in Japan?

Soon, he'll get Social Security, too!

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He's a leader in the clubhouse, and that speaks volumes to his value to a team.

Julio has obviously grown into the role of leader. I was just out of high school when the Indians traded Von Hayes to get him. There was a time early in his career where it was not always clear where he was before a game or what he may have been doing the night before. One time, the game had started in New York and the Indians had no idea where he was. Julio was hitting over .425 at the time and the Indians could have used him against the Yankees that day. He has clearly become a respected elder statesman for the game. He had a return gig with the Indians a few years back during their playoff run in the mid to late 90's.

He has always been an excellent hitter though and was originally a shortstop. He was and still is an excellent athlete.

The fact that he is two years older than me makes me feel good in a way, makes me feel young again

I liked watching Julio when he made his comeback with the Braves. He always did the little, fundamental things that you rarely see players do nowadays...hitting behind the runner to move him up, smart baserunning...one game on ESPN, the announcers were just raving on how smart he was on the basepaths.

I don't think the Braves actually let him go, it was more of a case of the Mets outbidding Atlanta. Bobby Cox really liked having Franco and his leadership skills around. He's definitely an "old school" player that younger guys would want to emulate.

Julio Franco is an incredible story and an exception to the old adage "he's too old to play" for sure.

There is yet another player rising back up from a retirement of obscurity. His name is Pat Borders and I'm sure many of you remember Pat as starting catcher for Blue Jays world series teams back in early 90's who was also, one of the heros, MVP, so to speak. I have enjoyed the privilage of watching him play here in Vero Beach for 2006 Class "A" Dodgers affiliate and here to tell ya, he will get the call and be back in bigs before the year's out, and that will be another story, but you can say you heard it at HSBBW site first from Shep
He has what it takes, still looks young, plays young and exhibits all the leadership characteristics that Julio Franco brings to the table. Pat Borders is simply amazing and as a hitter, drives these mid 90s fastballs here in the FL State League like he never left the game. Calls a great game, throws out runners and hustles on and off the field like a hungry rookie. My recommendation would be one way ticket to bigs if anything happens to Major League catchers IMHO, Peace>Shep

SHEP

Florida "A" level ball is not the major leagues.

I also do not think you can put Borders in the same class as Franco.

TR

Your kidding right??? Pat borders is wearing a Major League Baseball World Series Championship ring and also named MVP in one of those series.
That's not an "A" ball ring either pal !

You may want to do a little research before making statement like that...

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Everyone talks about steroids these days, but I wish more would be made about Julio and his tremendous nutritional/exercise habits.

lolololololololololololol

Can you imagine Barry saying that when he's 47?

"I have tremendous nutritional and exercise habits."

I know full well all about Pat Borders, shep and he has a decent major league career, 1099 games and a .253 BA. Franco has played 2396 games with a .299 BA to date---hello !!!!!

What I am saying is that you cite Borders hitting in a Florida "A" league while Franco is on the major leagues--the two do not compare in my book.

But then once again you are entitled to your opinion without insulting others intelligence with your comments--

Nobody's insulting your intelligence TR, BTW. Just defending my position of my observations

Toronto Blue Jays/Pat Borders MVP 1992 World Series Champions-(One world series ring.)

Toronto Blue Jays/Pat Borders starting catcher and Jays were also 1993 World Series Champions-(Two world series rings.)

Hit over .300 in each of the World Series and was leader and captain of team. Don't know about others opinions here but this is substantial accomplishments indeed, IMHO.

Playing in Advanced Class "A" ball at current time. So what says you>That's ridiculous !!!

Question for TR: Where did Braves find Julio Franco playing in his retirement of obscurity away from Major League baseball or professional affiliated MLB before reclaiming him back to bigs?

Do you not think a player with creditionals and caliber of Pat Borders should be allowed back to show? I'll see him in just a little while and my blessings are with him, now more than ever, after this little conversation TR.

Everybody's entitled to their own opinions and we will see how my predictions pan out compared to your thoughts TR. Deal ?? peace out for now, Shep

SHEP

Nobody has "peaced out" since the 60's--trust me

TR
Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning or what....

Have a great day sir, headed to the batting cages. peace in then, Sheppy

ShEPPY

I get up on the same side of the bed every day--witht he sun shing and being thankful my heart is still pumping and my legs can move--it is you who may be getting up on the wrong side of the bed every day

I think Julio played either in Japan, Korea, or both, then was picked up by the Braves from the Mexican League.

It takes an incredible amount of humility for a guy like Franco or Borders to work their butt off to get back to the Bigs. If memory serves me right, Borders had some pretty major injury trouble a few years ago...maybe knees?

I hope Borders makes it back. He'll never get any votes for the HOF, but he played the game hard. He may make a good manager one day..his numbers are very similar to Mike Scioscia..maybe his effort to make it back will have an effect on some kid with a big bonus and a small heart.

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..maybe his effort to make it back will have an effect on some kid with a big bonus and a small heart.

Interesting thought. My guess is he is probably a bigger inspiration to the kid with the big heart

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I think Julio played either in Japan, Korea, or both, then was picked up by the Braves from the Mexican League.

Exactly 2seamer, you are absolutely correct about Franco's where-a-bouts at signing time.
El Christo es primero en el mundo con Julio Franco y Pat Borders. This is first and foremost in the success or failure of any player with dreams and aspirations to achieve dreams and goals in this mundo(world).

Your observations are muy bueno 2seamer y ClevelandDad. peace, Shep

Shepster...no habla, but gracias...my Spanish is rusty enough that I can order beer, chips, salsa, and that's about it..

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I don't think the Braves actually let him go, it was more of a case of the Mets outbidding Atlanta.

True, but in my opinion the Braves didn't try very hard to keep him. It's those corporate bean counter weanies running things.

Shep, in my book you can peace out any time you want.

I believe Border's was picked up by Seattle last year, and played MLB
for the rest of the year.

Anybody that play's MLB deserve's KUDO"S at any AGE.

OK Franco's 47, the EH is 48.

I still have a CHANCE to make the BIG'S Right???

TR don't RAIN on MY PARADE.
I may look like a MACY DAY PARADE BALLOON.

But the EH has GAME. LOL
I'm Not Kidding, Why are you laughing.
I'm Serious.
the EH

EH, I'm in the same boat. Maybe if we get some of Barry's flaxseed oil, we can look like this... .............instead of this.....