That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Players who started here but had great success elsewhere

By Kerry Kauffman

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 29: Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on July 29, 2018 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 29: Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Clark Sports Center on July 29, 2018 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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KISSIMMEE, FL- FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Designated hitter Julio Franco #14 congratulates center fielder Andruw Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves after Jones hit a home run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during their exhibition game at Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on February 27, 2003 in Kissimmee, Florida. The game was called in fourth inning due to the weather and ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
KISSIMMEE, FL- FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Designated hitter Julio Franco #14 congratulates center fielder Andruw Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves after Jones hit a home run against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during their exhibition game at Cracker Jack Stadium at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on February 27, 2003 in Kissimmee, Florida. The game was called in fourth inning due to the weather and ended in a 3-3 tie. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

Julio Franco 

Julio Franco began his professional career in the Phillies minor league system as a 20-year old in 1979. After hitting at least .300 in each of his first four seasons, Franco made his Major League debut with the Phillies on April 23, 1982, going 1-for-4 against the Cardinals.  He went on to play in 16 games with the Phillies, hitting .276 in 29 at-bats.

During the 1982 offseason, Franco was a part of the 5-for-1 trade to the Indians along with Manny Trillo, George Vukovich, Jay Baller and Jerry Willard for Von Hayes.  Franco went on to hit .297 with 1272 hits and 62 home runs in eight seasons with the Indians before being traded to the Rangers for Pete O’Brien, Oddibe McDowell and Jerry Browne.

Franco enjoyed his greatest success with the Rangers, making All-Star appearances from 1989 through 1991. He led the AL in runs scored (104) and batting average (.341) during the 1991 campaign.  After two more seasons with the Rangers, Franco was on the move again, this time to Chicago. In his only season with the White Sox, Franco hit .319 with 20 home runs and 98 RBI.

Franco was out of baseball for three of the next six seasons and bounced around with the Indians, Brewers, and Rays for the other three. Franco had success in his early to mid 40’s from 2001 through 2005 with the Atlanta Braves, hitting nearly .300 with 29 home runs.

After some time with the Mets in 2006 and 2007, Franco retired with the Braves in 2007, making his final appearance at the age of 49.  He retired with 2586 hits, 407 doubles, 1194 RBI and a .298 batting average.

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