The World According to Chuck

(UB-Day marks the birthdays of people born between 1955 and 1964. If you want to know more, please read this post.)

Julio Franco (8/23/1958)

I could just list Atlanta Braves player Julio Franco’s remarkable accomplishments; that would work. And although you’d see a superb athlete with certainly an above-average Major League Baseball career, what you’d notice right away is something that I, a month older than Mr. Franco, notice every time I look in the mirror.

He’s, like, old.

How old? In his rookie season, he batted against Jim Kaat, who had also pitched against Ted Williams. Ted Williams retired in 1960. That’s how old.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Franco made his MLB debut on April 23, 1982, playing shortstop for the Phillies. Over his career, he’s also played second base, first base, and designated hitter. And played. And played. And played.

Currently, Julio Franco is the oldest regularly playing baseball player in Major League history. He’s also the only current player who was born in the 1950s. In 2006 he became the oldest player (at 47) to hit a home run. His most recent home run was in May, when he homered off of Randy Johnson.

He’s also the oldest player to hit a pinch hit home run, a grand slam, and two home runs in a game. He’s the oldest player to steal two bases in a game.

Maybe the most amazing stat, a year ago he became the oldest player ever to pinch run.

Among his non-age-related achievements, he’s been a three-time All Star, being the MVP of the game in 1990, and he was the AL batting champion in 1991. Pete Rose and Ty Cobb are the only other players who have over 4,200 hits in their professional careers, as Franco does.

Franco has played for 11 professional teams (including stints in Mexico, South Korea, and Japan). He’s currently playing in the minors for the Atlanta Braves, expected to be called up in September when the rosters expand.

Trivia: On September 19, 2006, a day after the Mets clinched the division title, Franco started at third base in a game against the Florida Marlins. This was Franco’s first start at the position since his rookie year, an astonishing 24 years between starts at the position.

Age Today: 49.

Shares Birthday With: Kobe Bryant (29), Queen Noor of Jordon (56), Rick Springfield (58), Shelley Long (58), Barbara Eden (73), Pete Wilson (74), Mark Russell (75), and Vera Miles (78).

This Day In History: Rudolph Valentino, arguably the biggest movie star in the country at the time, died of peritonitis following an appendectomy, at the age of 31 (1926).