Mets Show No Love for Julio Franco

We were rather giddy yesterday with the news that Julio Franco signed with the Braves. His playing days have been extended. Right on.

While the general baseball fan populous seems to be rooting for the guy to make it to his goal of playing in the league at the age of 50, his manager in New York and some former teammates there don't seem too sad to see him go.

Manager Willie Randolph said Franco should get more playing time with the Braves, and the reason he didn't with the Mets was a .200 average.

"If you play, you have to produce. That clubhouse stuff is overrated," said Randolph, who volunteered the information unsolicited.

Jose Valentin offered up that Franco was a less than eager participant in the club's pregame stretching.

However, what irked some players was Franco wouldn't hesitate to get in the face of some of the younger players about doing their jobs when he was hitting .200 with one homer with the Mets.

"To be a leader for me, it's not enough to talk all the time," Valentin said. "You have to go out and do it yourself."

What I'm garnering from that blockquote is Franco liked to tell his teammates what to do a lot in an effort to be a "leader," but wasn't producing much himself. That can get annoying, no doubt. It's like your alcoholic father telling you to not drink. But hey, we're supposed to respect our elders regardless, right?

{Via BBTF.}

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-19-2007 @ 9:47PM

JUNIOR SAMERA said...

it is sad the mets did that to franco,letting him go,just like that,i know if he had more playing time things would be more diffent,but in the long run, when mets and braves meet in the playoffs in game5 last game,score 5 mets braves4 bottom of 9th 2outs men on second for braves franco batting3balls and 2stikes final pich coming from waggner to franco, franco hits deep tocenter going going gone and the mets lose 6 to 5 on francosmoon shot,and braves move on round 2 on playoffs and mets go home again, but this time because they let franco go, a old timer, a leader,with a wining heart,franco will hurt you mets for doing that to him,willy i really dont understand you,,look at your player and numbers and answer your owen question,and mistake,you did leting go of j.franco,,by willysee you in playoffs remember me,,,fuzz37@aol.com

7-19-2007 @ 4:38PM

Mike Rath said...

Hey Junior--
Who gave Franco a chance when the Braves didn't want him anymore?????

7-20-2007 @ 2:18AM

Lee Tesche said...

umm... actually mike. the braves never wanted to give up julio. they offered him a 1 year contract, just like they had every year from 2001 to 2005. then omar swooped in and offered him 2.2 million over two years which was kind of ridiculous for a then 47 year old. so braves nation shed a tear when julio accepted that contract over the offer from the braves solely because of the longevity of it.

now our friend has returned and julio knows he should have never left.