The Franco-Files #23 (9/21-10/2)

in which we track the exploits of Julio and John Franco, baseball's two oldest players. They are both named J. Franco. Don't forget that.

Another season in the books for our heroes. For John, it was his last season (barring some sort of miracle). Julio? Well, he keeps rolling...and we hope he keeps rolling all the way to his 50th birthday. According to Julio: "I want to play until I'm 50 years old. I know that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and I want to keep my body healthy. I believe the key to that is discipline and obedience."

Julio has a relationship with God. We here at GPC are still working on that.

But, let's get back to the matter at hand. No, not the matter that is always at hand, the eternal now, the manifestation of God through the acute awareness of the everlasting present. Not that.

The matter at hand is this: how Julio ended his 2005 campaign. Let's check it out:

Since we last checked on Julio (on 9/21), he appeared in nine games, starting three of them. Over these nine games, he went 3-for-13 with a double and two walks. Not disastrous, but not very exciting, either. This 3-for-13 showing lowered Julio's average to .275.

47? Julio's lackluster end to the season was just a continuation of a disturbing fact: since Julio turned 47, he has been in an atrocious slump. Since his birthday on August 23, Julio is batting .174. He has not homered. His season average dropped 24 points. He did not become the oldest player of all-time to hit a home run. He did not pass Heinie Manush on the all-time hits list.

That is disappointing, but not very concerning. Julio will bounce right back. Baseball, like life, is full of ups and downs. Julio will recover. God is in control.

POSTSEASON! Now, we could attempt to ponderously analyze the final 2 weeks of Julio's 2005 season. We will not! Because Julio's season has not ended. He is in the playoffs, with his Atlanta Braves up against the Houston Astros in the National League Division Series.

We here at GPC are not fans of either team. No, not by a long shot. But we are very disappointed that John is not on the Astros, for if John and Julio went head-to-head in the playoffs it would be a momentous event in the world of Greased Poker Chips.

John, however, is back in Staten Island, contemplating life after baseball. We wish you well, John. Really, and truly, we do. As soon as we figure out how to get to Staten Island we'll come visit.

Well, as baseball is not resting, we can't either. Let's post some numbers regarding Julio's 2005 season, and then move on. It's always best to move on. Root for Julio in the playoffs!!!

Oldest Pitcher Faced (week): Todd Jones, Marlins, 37 (74 cumulative years in that match-up).
Oldest Pitcher Faced (year): Roger Clemens, Astros, 42.
Youngest Pitcher Faced (week): Dontrelle Willis, Marlins, 23.
Youngest Pitcher Faced (year): Zack Duke, Pirates, 22.
Total Pitchers Faced (week): 11, who were a combined 191 years younger than Julio (avg. 17.4 years younger).
Total Pitchers Faced (year): 126, who were a combined 2123 years younger than Julio (avg. 16.8 years younger).

Julio 2005: 108 games, 233 at-bats, 30 runs, 64 hits, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 9 homers, 42 RBIs, 27 walks, 57 strikeouts, 4 stolen bases, .275 average.