Julio Franco is a former professional baseball player who played for several teams during his career. He was born on August 23, 1958, in Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic. Franco began his baseball career in the minor leagues in 1978, playing for the Butte Copper Kings. He quickly moved up the ranks and made his major league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1982.
Franco played for several teams during his career, including the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and New York Mets. He was known for his longevity, playing until the age of 49. Franco was also known for his versatility, playing multiple positions throughout his career, including first base, second base, shortstop, and designated hitter.
Throughout his career, Franco was a consistent hitter, with a career batting average of .298. He was also a skilled base runner, stealing 281 bases during his career. Franco was a three-time All-Star and won the American League batting title in 1991, with a batting average of .341.
Franco's career was not without controversy. In 1991, he was suspended for three games for using a corked bat. He also faced allegations of age fraud, with some reports suggesting that he was older than he claimed to be. However, Franco denied these allegations and continued to play at a high level well into his 40s.
After retiring from baseball, Franco continued to stay involved in the sport. He became a hitting coach for several teams, including the Lotte Giants in the Korean Baseball Organization and the Fort Worth Cats in the United League Baseball. In 2015, at the age of 57, Franco signed with the Ishikawa Million Stars of the Japanese independent league, becoming the oldest professional baseball player in history.
Overall, Julio Franco had a long and successful career in baseball, playing for over 20 years and earning numerous accolades along the way. He was known for his versatility, consistency, and longevity, and remains a beloved figure in the sport.
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