My Man Franco

48-year-old Julio Franco stole a base yesterday, his second in limited playing time this year. My hero! I may have mentioned earlier, Franco is going where no man has gone before. A few pitchers (knuckleballers Phil Neikro and Hoyt Wilhelm, old-timer Jack Quinn) pitched regularly to age 48 and beyond. And a few position players (Minnie Minoso, for one) made a few token, gimmick appearances older than that. But, according to my research, Franco is the first player in the 132 year history of major league baseball to continue playing an offensive (non-pitching) position as a regular, continuous member of a roster past age 46. Carlton Fisk? Topped out by then. Pete Rose? Same thing? Many Mota? Not even close. Franco is a freak of nature. I went to a Braves-Mets game last year and saw two players to tell my grandkids about. First, I saw Pedro Martinez, who may end up the greatest winning percentage pitcher of all-time (at least among those with 150+ wins). And his ERA vs. the average ERA of his time would likely be near the best all-time. But perhaps an even greater story will be seeing 47-year-old Julio Franco hit a 2-run double and field his potition flawlessly. Go, Julio, my hero!