Julio Franco Hangs Em' Up..

Too bad for Julie. I really liked him. My guess is that pitchers threw him heat every time and he just couldn't get around anymore.

Still, it was a great career and I think he should get the HOF. 4,000+ hits when you combine all leaues and he played until he was nearly 50. That has to count for something.

BTW, have you ever seen someone as old as he is be in that good of physical shape?

Im 32 and he would woop my @ss....and Im big too.

Julio was a great teammate, great in the clubhouse, great in the duggout with the young players, and a team leader when it came to work ethic.  Alas, at 49, father time has caugh up to him.  You cant help but root for someone like this.

I know this is beyond the realm of possibility, but could we sign him in september when rosters go to 40, so he we could help him achieve his goal of playing at 50? I think he has done enough to earn the favor.  And someone like that doesnt just take up space. he would work his butt off while he is here.

Congrats Julio, and thanks for the memories....and GO Braves!!!!

Julio Franco was one of the most incredible athletes i have ever seen play the game of baseball. At his age (????) he kept himself in absolutely impeccable shape and that resulted in better than average play at a very, shall we say, advanced age.

From the overexaggerated batting stance to the extremely heavy bat, his strength was shown in every way.  He could take the ball to the off field with the best of em.  And even at his age he learned to play 1B and played it very well.

So....Congrats Julio!!  Hold your head High and know that you gave your all every time you walked out on that field and your teammates were made better just by being around you and watching how to play the game the right way!!!