Julio Franco is 45, and hitting .282!
This is a phenomenal development, and it says something about Franco and about how players are aging more slowly. So, is a player padding his stats past age 40 when he can still play productively? This is a general question, since I have thoughts on many players both in and out of the Hall who would be germane to the discussion.
Please note that I am aware Franco has a long, long way to go before he is going to threaten the Hall. But also note that he wouldn't have so long to go if he hadn't missed 2.5 years by playing baseball in Japan. Franco is in Buckner/Baines territory as far as the Hall is concerned. Its just that its time to question whether age 40 is a legitimate age for fans to expect retirement.
Also, discussing steroids will not hijack this thread, IMO.
This is a phenomenal development, and it says something about Franco and about how players are aging more slowly. So, is a player padding his stats past age 40 when he can still play productively? This is a general question, since I have thoughts on many players both in and out of the Hall who would be germane to the discussion.
Please note that I am aware Franco has a long, long way to go before he is going to threaten the Hall. But also note that he wouldn't have so long to go if he hadn't missed 2.5 years by playing baseball in Japan. Franco is in Buckner/Baines territory as far as the Hall is concerned. Its just that its time to question whether age 40 is a legitimate age for fans to expect retirement.
Also, discussing steroids will not hijack this thread, IMO.
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