Julio Franco
After succesful years as an All-Star second baseman and batting champion, Julio Franco overcame injury, adversity, and stints in Japan, Korea and Mexico, to forge a second career as a valuable role player in his 40s. In 2005, he became the oldest man to hit a home run in the big leagues. In 21 major league seasons, he had amassed more than 2,500 hits, 1,200 runs, 160 homers, and 1,100 RBI, while maintaining a .300 average.
Played For
Philadelphia Phillies (1982)
Cleveland Indians (1983-1988)
Texas Rangers (1989-1993)
Chicago White Sox (1994)
Cleveland Indians (1996-1997)
Milwaukee Brewers (1997)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1999)
Atlanta Braves (2001-2005)
All-Time Rankings
Julio Franco ranks #36 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. Rankings ⇒
Born
Julio Cesar Franco was born on August 23, 1958, in Hato Mayor
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: DH
Primary Team: CLE
Major League Debut
April 23, 1982
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1982
Tony Gwynn
Wade Boggs
Julio Franco
Willie McGee
Tony Phillips
Don Mattingly
Frank Viola
Doug Jones
Kevin Bass
Post-Season Appearances
1996 American League Divisional Series
2001 National League Championship Series
2001 National League Divisional Series
2002 National League Divisional Series
2003 National League Divisional Series
2004 National League Divisional Series
2005 National League Divisional Series
Awards and Honors
1990 ML AS MVP
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
1987: On the DL from July 13-August 8 with a hyper-extended right elbow. It was his first trip to the DL... Franco spent three different stretches on the disabled list on 1992, before his season came to an end in early July due to an injury to his patella tendon in his right knee. His 107-point drop in batting average from his previous season was the second-largest in history... Franco played for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japan league in 1995, under Bobby Valentine. Franco won the Gold Glove at first base and hit .306 with 10 homers and 58 RBI in 127 games... In 1998, Franco returned to the Marines when he failed to receive an offer from any major league clubs. In 131 games for Chiba, Franco batted .279... In 1999, Franco payed for the Tigres of the Mexican League, batting .423 in 93 games, with 14 homers and 77 RBI. In September he was signed by the Angels, and made on appearance for them, striking out in his only at-bat. He was 41 years old... Unable to attract a big league offer in 2000, Franco signed with the Samsung Lions of the Korean League. He spent the entire season with Samsung before signing with ? in the Mexican League for the 2001 campaign. In 2001, Franco again dominatd the Mexican loop, batting .437 in 110 games, with 18 homers and 90 RBI. In the playoffs, he batted .477 with three home runs and 13 RBI in 13 games. At the age of 43, he led the Mexican League in virtually every hitting category. The Atlanta Braves signed him as a free agent in September, and Franco batted .300 with three homers and 11 RBI for Bobby Cox's team down the stretch.
Hitting Streaks
22 games (1988)
21 games (1988)
All-Star Selections
1989 AL
1990 AL
1991 AL
Learn More about Julio Franco
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