That's an easy one.
At an age when most players have long since retired, Franco shows no signs of slowing down. Heck, he's only 46. He'd like to play at least four more seasons.
``I don't care what people say. I don't care about the stereotypes,'' Franco said. ``Age is just a number.''
Here's a number that's more important: Baseball's oldest player batted over .300 - .309 to be exact - in a full season for the first time since 1996. Now, it's off to the playoffs, where Franco could play a key role in the Braves' best-of-five series against the Houston Astros.
``Not bad,'' he said Monday, flashing a satisfied grin as he sat at his locker. ``Not bad at all.''
It's been a season of milestones for Franco, who became the oldest position player since 57-year-old Minnie Minoso in 1980 (and that was just a pinch-hitting publicity stunt) and the oldest to hit a grand slam in major league history. Platooning at first base, Franco had six homers and 57 RBIs, not to mention three triples and four stolen bases.
Not bad, indeed.
``He's one of the reasons we won this year,'' Braves manager Bobby Cox said. ``His clutch hitting was unreal.''
Franco credits his strong religious faith, relentless work ethic and positive mental attitude for keeping him on the field far beyond the normal retirement age for a ballplayer. He never listened to those who said he was washed up, even when his career detoured to Japan, South Korea and Mexico.
The Braves signed him for the final month of the 2001 season, hoping he could provide a brief offensive spurt. Now, they can't get rid of the guy.
``Just watch him take batting practice every day,'' teammate Chipper Jones said. ``He's as professional as they come. He's strong as an ox. His bat speed is still there. His knowledge is still there. He puts it all together in every at-bat.''
Of course, Franco can't escape the barbs of his teammates, most of whom were in grade school when he made his major league debut in 1982.
``When you've got 50 or 60 years of experience behind you to go on,'' Jones said, his voice trailing off as he broke into a smile. ``I think when he started, they only wore their caps to the plate (instead of batting helmets). He was playing when they left their gloves out in the field after the inning was over.''
Franco takes all the ribbing in stride.
``Chipper said what?'' Franco responded with mock indignation. ``Oh, he's just jealous.''
While everyone throws out the same description ``a freak of nature'' there's clearly more at work than just favorable genetics. No one works harder than Franco, who has the most chiseled physique on the team. No one has a better mental approach than Franco, who relies heavily on positive reinforcement. For instance, he frequently watches a tape with all his hits from the 1991 season, when he won the American League batting title with a .341 average.
``I don't want to see the outs,'' Franco said. ``I want to see what I was doing right.''
Early on, he didn't seem destined for a long career. Franco was well known for feuding with managers, ignoring the rules and indulging heavily in nightlife. He could party till the sun came up, then get three hits the next afternoon. Looking back, he blames the foolishness of youth.
``When people are young, they're not very wise,'' Franco said. ``Young people don't listen. They think they know everything. As you get older, you get wiser. Then you start to realize, 'Ohhh, he was right.'''
Franco had an epiphany around age 30, realizing that his fondness for the fast lane would likely cut short his time in the majors. Still, his career seemed over after he split 1997 between Cleveland and Milwaukee. Over the next three years, he got one at-bat in the big leagues, striking out for Tampa Bay at the end of the '99 season.
He spent a year in Japan, then went to Mexico, then to South Korea, then back to Mexico. All along, he was hoping that someone would notice he could still play the game.
``You've got to set goals in life and go for it,'' Franco said. ``If I had it to do all over again, I would. If I didn't keep playing, I never would have come back. Everyone would have thought I was retired.''
Not by a long shot.
``Julio was basically left for dead,'' Jones said. ``To come out of the Mexican League and contribute like he has the last two or three years, that's what is amazing to me. He went a long time without seeing major league pitching. But he just picked up where he left off.''
Franco's awkward batting style hasn't changed much over the years he still tries to hit the ball to right field and move the runners along. He'll leave the homers to others.
``I try to keep it as simple as I can,'' he said. ``Once the ball's in the air, it's just me and the baseball. Nothing personal. I'm the hunter and the ball's the prey.''
No need to stop now.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/150698