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Saturday, March 29, 2008

N.Y. Times: Chass: Nearing 50, Franco Still Going Strong in Mexican League (RR)

Whoever Slew the Anti-Tigres de Quintana Roo 1B Chances?

He doesn’t have one, but he does expect to play professional baseball on his 50th birthday. In a Mexican League season that has begun, Franco is playing first base in Cancún for Tigres de Quintana Roo.

“I’m here because I believe I can continue playing ball,” Franco said in a telephone interview.

“Back in ’99,” he continued, referring to a previous season in the Mexican League, “if I had stopped playing, I wouldn’t have had eight more years in the big leagues. I think I can still play in the big leagues. I believe I can still help a ball club off the bench. I just want to play till I’m 50. I believe God is going to give me that opportunity.”

...“My next goal is to be a manager,” he said. “I’m here playing and coaching. You got to handle different kinds of players, see how the manager reacts, how he changes pitchers. It’s a learning experience. I believe I can be a hitting coach in the big leagues. I’ve been with a lot of good hitting coaches. I believe I can help a team right now.”

Repoz Posted: March 29, 2008 at 10:36 PM | 20 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. CFBF Hates Hyphens Posted: March 29, 2008 at 10:50 PM (#2723264)

Rage, rage against the dying of the light Julio.

2. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: March 29, 2008 at 10:59 PM (#2723268)

I wonder if Dusty has sent scouts to Mexico yet.

3. RayDiPerna

Posted: March 29, 2008 at 11:00 PM (#2723269)

4. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: March 29, 2008 at 11:31 PM (#2723275)

You'd have won a lot of money had you bet several years ago that Julio Franco would play until he was 49, or that David Wells would play until he was 44, or that Matt Stairs would still be playing at 40.

Which begs the question: Which under 25 players have a nontrivial chance to still be playing in the majors at age 45?

5. Padraic Posted: March 29, 2008 at 11:35 PM (#2723278)

I just wish he would retire so we could close the book on the Von Hayes trade already.

6. BeanoCook Posted: March 30, 2008 at 12:13 AM (#2723287)

I remember when Milwaukee brought Franco in at the deadline in 1997. The move was seen as bringing in an aging retread, that was 1997!

7. Chris Dial Posted: March 30, 2008 at 12:29 AM (#2723293)

I was hoping this was John Franco.

8. RayDiPerna

Posted: March 30, 2008 at 12:41 AM (#2723300)

I was hoping this was John Franco.

Well, John Franco is still active in the Pros vs Joes league, so you can see him there.

9. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 30, 2008 at 12:46 AM (#2723303)

Nearing 120, Franco Still Dead

10. Random Transaction Generator Posted: March 30, 2008 at 01:05 AM (#2723313)

Which begs the question: Which under 25 players have a nontrivial chance to still be playing in the majors at age 45?

We can probably narrow it down:

Catcher? No chance.
Middle-infielder? Probably not, unless they hit so well they move to another position.
Centerfielder? Possibly, if they shift to a corner position AND have the bat to keep them there.
Corner outfielder? Big bat becomes a DH, or maintains enough defense to be used as a part-time player.
Corner infielder? 3B becomes 1B, 1B becomes DH, DH become pinch-hitter.

Let me throw some names out there:
David Wright
Nick Markakis
Ryan Braun

11. Francoeur Sans Gages (AlouGoodbye) Posted: March 30, 2008 at 01:31 AM (#2723326)

I think that's the wrong way to look at it, RTG. After all, when Julio Franco was young, he was a shortstop, and Biggio was a catcher. I think what you want is great athletes with "young player skills" who will therefore be able to keep going the longest. And they should of course be good players, so that they're still able to play when in decline. I think that's the formula for the guys who keep going forever - Franco, Bonds, Alou, Lofton, Reggie Sanders, Biggio, Finley. It's noticeable that most of the old players in the league are pitchers, but it would be folly to predict any under-25 pitcher to still be going at 45.

My names;
BJ Upton
Grady Sizemore
Hanley Ramirez

12. Voros McCracken, Human Shield Posted: March 30, 2008 at 02:43 AM (#2723360)

Which begs the question: Which under 25 players have a nontrivial chance to still be playing in the majors at age 45?

I think the correct answer to that is probably "none." One may very well do it, but I couldn't imagine how you'd figure out which one.

My best guess would be a lefty reliever of some sort. Any LOOGYs 25 or under?

13. "Catching Dianetics" by Dr. L. Ron Karkovice Posted: March 30, 2008 at 04:36 PM (#2723542)

Which begs the question: Which under 25 players have a nontrivial chance to still be playing in the majors at age 45?

Fernando Martinez?
Angel Villalona?
Jarrod Parker?

Maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit...

14. Swedish Chef Posted: March 30, 2008 at 04:51 PM (#2723545)

Come 2039 all players in the league will be clones of David Wright.

15. Robert S. Posted: March 30, 2008 at 05:18 PM (#2723562)

David Wright purged all of his own Body Thetans.

16. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 30, 2008 at 05:40 PM (#2723577)

Yeah it would have to be someone who currently occupies a good fielder's position so he can gradually switch to the outfield, then 1B, then DH as he gets older. And someone who doesn't get injured much, and could plausibly be used as a pinch hitter in his dotage.

I nominate Mark Ellis or Jimmy Rollins. Sizemore is a good choice too.

17. GregD Posted: March 30, 2008 at 05:41 PM (#2723578)

His agent's name is Chuck Berry? That's perfect.

18. DCW3 Posted: March 30, 2008 at 06:09 PM (#2723585)

As Voros says, the most likely answer is nobody. But if anybody does it, it will probably be a pitcher. Only thirteen players in the last century have appeared in more than five games from their age-45 seasons on, and ten of those were pitchers. And most of those were players who broke into the major leagues late and/or knuckleballers (which you don't have many of anymore).

19. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: March 30, 2008 at 06:51 PM (#2723602)

Charlie Haeger it is then.

20. Crispix Attacks Posted: March 30, 2008 at 06:58 PM (#2723605)

I guess it's going to be Les Walrond, then. How depressing.

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Saturday, March 29, 2008

N.Y. Times: Chass: Nearing 50, Franco Still Going Strong in Mexican League (RR)

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