Julio Franco wants to play major league baseball until age 50

<p>Not satisfied with being the oldest active player in U.S. baseball for the past three seasons, Julio Franco said Sunday he wants to play until he turns 50, end his career with at least 3,000 hits and then become a manager.</p><p>Franco, a 46-year-old first baseman from the Dominican Republic, signed a $1 million, one-year deal last month with the Atlanta Braves for the 2005 season _ his 21st in the major leagues.</p><p>"With God's help ... I'm going to play in the major leagues until I'm 50 years old," the Dominican told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "It's a goal that I've set for myself. I have the physical and mental strength (to do it)."</p><p>Last season was one 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 home runs and 57 RBIs, not to mention three triples and four stolen bases. He batted .309 with 99 hits in 125 games and 320 at bats.</p><p>Franco made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1982 and has played in the majors every year since then except for 1995, 1998 and 2000 when he played in Japan, South Korea and for a Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league affiliate in Mexico City.</p><p>He has a career .300 batting average, 166 home runs and 1,110 RBIs. With 2,457 career hits, Franco leads all Dominicans who have played in the major leagues. He also played for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers.</p><p>The upcoming season will be his fifth with Atlanta. In the current Dominican winter league season, Franco is batting .344.</p><p>Franco said he would dedicate himself to managing as soon as he turns 50.</p><p>"I don't want to be a batting coach or any other thing in the major leagues (right away)," he said. "I prefer to start managing in the minor leagues to gain experience and come up to the major leagues when I'm ready."</p>

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