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Franco Returns 'Home' to Atlanta

The Braves nab the 48-year-old veteran from their division rivals

By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User

Posted Jul 20, 2007 6:27 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Giving new meaning to the term "senior circuit," 48-year-old Julio Franco returned to Atlanta last night and drove in two runs in a 10-1 rout of St. Louis. Cut loose by the Mets on July 12, Franco says he's glad to be "home" with the Braves, who won five division championships with the slugger before releasing him in 2005.

The Braves are on the hook for less than $200,000 of the $2.2 million deal Franco had with New York, where this season he racked up only 10 of his 2,576 career hits. "I asked God, if I don't come to Atlanta, I might as well pack it up," said Franco, who got a standing O upon his return.

New York Mets' Julio Franco follows through on a base hit that scored David Wright against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Major League Baseball action Friday, April 13, 2007, at Shea Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
New York Mets' Julio Franco follows through on a base hit that scored David Wright against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Major League Baseball action Friday, April 13, 2007, at...   (Associated Press)
Atlanta Braves' Julio Franco (14) connects for a two-run single against the St. Louis Cardinals, with Cardinals catcher Gary Bennett, left, and Braves' Jeff Francoeur, rear, at third, watching during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 19, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
Atlanta Braves' Julio Franco (14) connects for a two-run single against the St. Louis Cardinals, with Cardinals catcher Gary Bennett, left, and Braves' Jeff Francoeur, rear, at third, watching during...   (Associated Press)
New York Mets' Julio Franco follows through on a single during the eighth inning of interleague baseball action Saturday, May 19, 2007 at Shea Stadium in New York. Pinch-hitter Franco drove in a run on a two-out infield single in the eighth. The Mets won the game 10-7. (AP Photo/Frank...
New York Mets' Julio Franco follows through on a single during the eighth inning of interleague baseball action Saturday, May 19, 2007 at Shea Stadium in New York. Pinch-hitter Franco drove in a run on...   (Associated Press)
New York Mets' Julio Franco looks on in the seventh inning of the Colorado Rockies' 17-7 victory over the Mets in a Major League Baseball game in Denver in this July 4, 2007 file photo. The New York Mets cut the 48-year-old utilityman Thursday, opting to give 22-year-old outfielder Lastings...
New York Mets' Julio Franco looks on in the seventh inning of the Colorado Rockies' 17-7 victory over the Mets in a Major League Baseball game in Denver in this July 4, 2007 file photo. The New York Mets...   (Associated Press)
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