Franco Returns...No, Not Another Spanish Civil War
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As an avid Braves fan it was a great surprise (not to mention a thrilling one) to see Julio Franco return to Atlanta.
Since Franco's return to first base in Atlanta I have heard many say that the Mets didn't use him to their advantage--using him only occasionally as a pinch hitter--and I have heard many say that Franco should hang up his hat and end his twenty-five year professional career.
Though Franco is certainly not as young and spry as Scott Thorman or Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Franco has something to bring to the Braves that neither Thorman or Saltalamacchia can--experience. Yes, experience is a broad definition for saying a guy has been around for a long time. Yes, Julio Franco is nearly forty-nine years old and with that comes experience. But the experience Franco has that is most vital to the team is his experience playing for Bobby Cox and his experience as a member of the Braves during several winning seasons.
All the talk about Andruw Jones leaving the Braves has merit. Atlanta will not be able to afford Andruw's contract next year when he becomes a free agent. He will move on. All the talk about Chipper Jones' injuries makes the question of his future, in terms of years playing, valid. Smoltz is getting up there, leaving the rest of the team fairly new to the Atlanta franchise. Franco fills a gap in the roster that the Braves need desperately--a leader on the field who can help transition the young Braves back on top of the NL East.
There is also something to be said for Franco's bat. Though in a slump now the Braves have to be hoping his slot in the roster will be filled with hits. And does anyone have a better batting stance than Julio Franco? You have to admit that he is fun to watch. Skilled at his position (something Thorman isn't right now and Saltalamacchia is far from) and one of the most intelligent men on the field, Franco brings more to the Braves than anyone is willing to admit.
It also doesn't hurt to hold the record as the oldest player in history to hit a grand slam, steal two bases in one game, hit two homeruns in a game, hit a pinch-hit homerun, and the oldest player ever to pinch run.
Of course he started his career in Philly, but a big "welcome home" seems appropriate with Franco's return to Atlanta.
