Franco still productive, still can turn on a 95 mile an hour heater with the best of them, still can lace a single into rightfield gap and still batted over .300 will BE BACK again in 2005
Retirement isn't even on the radar for Franco, who wants to play until he's 50. There was nothing in his performance last season that would indicate it's time to trade in his bat for a rocking chair -- Franco batted .309 with six homers and 57 RBIs, sharing first base with a guy young enough to be his son, 25-year-old Adam Laroche.
What's more impressive he's playing on a team that can win the National League and is still a very big contributor!
With John Smoltz back in the starting rotaion, and the big aquisition of Tim Hudson, another good year from Mike Hampton will have them right back in the thick of it come September....the outfield looks a bit weak compared to the past few Braves outfields....Alot will depend on aquisitions of Raul Mondesi (malcontent) and the return of Brian Jordan....
Pitching will still be the reason the Braves succeed or not. PLAY BALL!
Retirement isn't even on the radar for Franco, who wants to play until he's 50. There was nothing in his performance last season that would indicate it's time to trade in his bat for a rocking chair -- Franco batted .309 with six homers and 57 RBIs, sharing first base with a guy young enough to be his son, 25-year-old Adam Laroche.
What's more impressive he's playing on a team that can win the National League and is still a very big contributor!
With John Smoltz back in the starting rotaion, and the big aquisition of Tim Hudson, another good year from Mike Hampton will have them right back in the thick of it come September....the outfield looks a bit weak compared to the past few Braves outfields....Alot will depend on aquisitions of Raul Mondesi (malcontent) and the return of Brian Jordan....
Pitching will still be the reason the Braves succeed or not. PLAY BALL!
:drink:
