Re: Methusela retires

[OleMissCub]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=3379845

 

Julio Franco finally called it quits.

 

The 49-year-old announced his retirement from baseball after a 23-year career in the major leagues and stints in his native Dominican Republic, South Korea, Japan and Mexico. In 2007, he became the oldest player to hit a home run in the majors.

 

"It was the hardest decision in my life," Franco said in an interview published Saturday by Mexican sports daily Record. "I always said I would be the first one to know the exact moment. I think the numbers speak for themselves, the production speaks and this is the right moment.

 

"I understand that my time has passed and the great men and athletes know when to say enough."

 

The infielder announced his retirement Wednesday night to his Mexican league team, the Quintana Roo Tigers. The league posted the news its Web site the next day.

 

Franco last played in the majors in 2007, when he played in 55 games with the New York Mets (40) and the Atlanta Braves (15). He batted .222 with one home run and 16 RBI in 90 at-bats.

 

Franco hit his last major league home run against Randy Johnson on May 4, 2007. At 48, he became the oldest player to homer in the majors.

 

The Dominican retired with a .298 average, 2,586 hits and 173 home runs in 23 seasons in the majors with eight teams.

 

His teams:

Butte Copper Kings

Central Oregon Phillies

Peninsula Pilots

Oklahoma City 89ers

Philadelphia Phillies

Cleveland Indians

Texas Rangers

Chicago White Sox

Chiba Lotte Marines

Milwaukee Brewers

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Samsung Lions

Angelopolis Tigers

Atlanta Braves

Rome Braves

Richmond Braves

New York Mets

Quintana Roo Tigers

[Sammy Sofa]

I was 5 when he started playing.

 

Ye gads.

[sweetpeteman]

I was 5 when he started playing.

 

Ye gads.

 

 

I wasn't alive.

[BCVM22]

I was hoping he'd play in the majors 'til he was 50.

[razzzorsharp]

Is that the last person from the original RBI baseball? Sad, sad day...

[Clem Fandango]

The Butte Copper Kings, huh?

[Little Slide Rooter]

I was hoping he'd play in the majors 'til he was 50.

 

That was his plan. he missed by 3 or 4 months. Too bad. Could it really have hurt some go nowhere team like the Giants or Rangers to give him a minor league deal with an invite?

 

As long as he doesnt become some kind of side show act like Minnie Minoso and try to play in one game every decade.

[Jon]

Bart: Oh boy! Free trading cards!

Milhouse: Wow! Joseph of Arimathea! Twenty six conversions in A.D. 46.

Nelson: Whoa, a Methuselah rookie card!

 

http://www.simpsoncrazy.com/gallery/screenshots/9f21/9f21_009.jpg

[OleMissCub]

HA! Good catch, Jon!

[Jon]

Well, to be honest, I just rewatched that episode on Friday, so it's fresh on my mind.

[otis89]

I was 5 when he started playing.

 

Ye gads.

 

 

I wasn't alive.

 

Ditto.

[BCVM22]

I see that he actually played two full games at third base last year. How did he do that without breaking a hip or something?

[hardcorecubfan]

I remember him when he first started with the Indians. they claimed they were going to "build a team around him"

[JimSorgi]

I never thought I'd live to see the day...

[RynoRules]

He was one of my faves as a kid b/c of his unusual batting stance, with his bat head pointing directly at the pitcher.

[weis21]

He was awesome in Sports Talk Baseball.

[biittner77]

I remember him when he first started with the Indians. they claimed they were going to "build a team around him"

 

I remember during a (all star?) game then President Ronald Reagan came into the booth and he asked whoever the broadcaster was if his name was pronounced "Joo leo" or "hoo leo". Then Reagan told that story of how he was broadcasting a game and had to make up what happened for 3 innings- a story that he told a lot back then.