Major League Baseball (MLB) has seen a number of players come and go over the years. Some players have had the privilege of playing for many years, while others have only had brief stints in the big leagues. However, one player stands out above the rest; Julio Franco was the oldest MLB player to retire.
Julio Franco’s Baseball Career
Julio Franco is a former professional baseball player who played for five different MLB teams from 1982 to 2007. He was born in the Dominican Republic in 1958 and began his professional baseball career in the Dominican Summer League in 1979. He then moved up to the minor leagues and eventually made his MLB debut in 1982 with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Franco then went on to play for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets. He made a name for himself as a reliable hitter and fielder. Franco was known for his impressive batting average, which was .298 over the course of his career. He also had a decent power stroke, hitting 173 home runs and driving in 823 runs throughout his career.
The Oldest MLB Player to Retire
At the age of 49, Franco became the oldest MLB player to retire. He had played in the major leagues for 25 years, a record that is unlikely to ever be broken. The second oldest player to retire was pitcher Jamie Moyer, who hung up his cleats at the age of 46.
Franco retired in 2007 after playing with the Mets. He finished his career with a .298 batting average, 173 home runs, and 823 RBIs. He also won two batting titles and was an All-Star in 1991.
Post-Retirement
After retiring from baseball, Franco continued to stay involved in the game. He served as a hitting coach for the Dominican Republic’s national team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He also spent time as a roving instructor for the Atlanta Braves.
In 2019, Franco was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes the contributions of Latino players to the sport of baseball.
Conclusion
Julio Franco is a baseball legend who played at the highest level for 25 years. At the age of 49, he became the oldest MLB player to retire and is unlikely to ever be surpassed. He was an All-Star, two-time batting champion, and is now a member of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame. Franco is an inspiration to all baseball fans and will always be remembered for his incredible career.