Julio Franco - Definition

Julio César Robles Franco (born August 23, 1958 in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball player. Franco made his debut on April 23, 1982. He bats and throws right-handed.

MLB batting statistics

Career

• 1982: Philadelphia Phillies
• 1983-88: Cleveland Indians (1983-88, 1996-97)
• 1989-93: Texas Rangers (1989-93)
• 1994: Chicago White Sox (1994)
• 1995: Japanese League
• 1996-97: Cleveland Indians
• 1997: Milwaukee Brewers (1997)
• 1998: Korean League
• 1999: Tampa Bay Devil Rays
• 2000: Mexican League
• 2001-04: Atlanta Braves

Games by position

• Shortstop: 715
• Second baseman: 663
• First baseman: 403
• Designated hitter: 367
• Pinch hitter: 115
• Outfielder: 4
• Third baseman: 2

Highlights

• 3-time All-Star (1989-91)
• MVP All-Star Game (1990)
• Led American League in batting average (.341, 1991)
• 2nd in the AL Rookie of the Year selection (1983, behind Ron Kittle and over Mike Boddicker)
• Led AL in at-bats (658, 1984)
• Top 10 MVP selection (8th, AL, 1994)
• Carolina League MVP (1980)
• Twice hit over .400 in the Mexican League (.423, 1999; .437, 2000)
• Oldest player to hit a Grand Slam (45, 2004, surpassing Carlton Fisk, 43, 1991)
• Oldest non-pitcher player in MLB history (46)
• Led all Dominican players in MLB history in seasons, games, at-bat, hits, and base on balls
• Has compiled 4100 hits 26-year professional career:
  • Major Leagues: 2457
  • Minor Leagues: 618
  • Mexican League: 316
  • Japanese League: 286
  • Dominican Winter League: 267
  • Korean League: 156

External links

• Julio Franco at:
  • Baseball Library (bio and accomplishments) (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/F/Franco_Julio.stm)
  • Baseball Reference (analysis and statistics) (http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/francju01.shtml)
  • ESPN (profile and daily report) (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=3001)
  • The Top 100 Greatest Indians Roster (http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/submit/Cleveland_Indians1.stm)
  • Japanese Baseball (stats) (http://japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=107)
  • Julio Franco - "Ancient" first baseman (http://search.looksmart.com/p/browse/us1/us317902/us61322/us4062858/us10221196/us10221072/)
  • Oldest player to hit a grand slam (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240603115)
  • Old Man Franco (trivia and facts) (http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/old-man-franco/)
  • Matusalén con un bate (in Spanish) (http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/story?id=243926)