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Julio’s Kids

From the desk of The Powdered Wig...

 

BINGO FRANCO’S TRAVELING ALL-STARS AND MOTOR KINGS

 

Julio Franco made his major league debut on April 23, 1982, some six years after the debut of the movie “Bingo Long’s Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings”, starring Billy Dee Williams.  The movie depicted an older Negro Leaguer who was heading up a barnstorming tour across America.  Today, Julio is the perfect man for a sequel as he ventures toward the end of his timeless career. Father time seems to have no hold on Julio as he continues to compete with young men whom could be his sons.

 

Check out a roster of 2005 big leaguers born after Franco’s debut on April 23, 1982.

 

Catchers:

Yadier Molina – STL               .255, 5 hr, 30 rbi

Brian McCann – ATL              .267, 4 hr, 11 rbi

 

Infielders:

Edwin Encarnacion – CIN       .238, 3 hr, 8 rbi

Jhonny Peralta – CLE              .303, 18 hr, 58 rbi

Rickie Weeks – MIL                 .259, 10 hr, 27 rbi

David Wright – NYM              .303, 17 hr, 73 rbi

Jose Reyes – NYM                   .273, 3 hr, 46 rbi, 42 sb

Robinson Cano – NYY            .280, 8 hr, 42 rbi

Casey Kotchman – LAA          .179, 4 hr, 7 rbi

Prince Fielder – MIL                .321, 1 hr, 6 rbi

 

Outfielders:

Jeff Francoeur – ATL               .371, 9 hr, 26 rbi

Grady Sizemore – CLE            .289, 14 hr, 63 rbi, 15 sb

Miguel Cabrera – FLA             .342, 26 hr, 83 rbi

Conor Jackson – ARI                .217, 2 hr, 3 rbi

 

Pitchers:

Jeremy Bonderman – DET      13-9, 3.96 ERA

Zack Greinke – KC                   3-14, 6.02 ERA

Ervin Santana – LAA                6-5, 4.62 ERA

Zach Duke – PIT                       5-0, 2.13 ERA

Felix Hernandez – SEA           2-1, 0.86 ERA

Scott Kazmir – TB                    6-8, 4.04 ERA

Andrew Sisco – KC                  1-2, 2.72 ERA

Huston Street – OAK                4-1, 1.42 ERA, 15 SV

Jason Vargas – FLA                  3-1, 2.89 ERA

Ambiorix Burgos – KC            1-5, 4.05 ERA

Dana Eveland – MIL                1-0, 3.00 ERA

 

STARTING LINEUP

1	SIZEMORE	CF
2	PERALTA	SS
3	CABRERA	LF
4	WRIGHT	3B
5	FRANCOEUR	RF
6	FIELDER	1B
7	WEEKS	DH
8	CANO	2B
9	MOLINA	C
SP	BONDERMAN
CL	STREET

 

 

You can contact The Wig at powderedwig@thehighcourtofsports.com.

Jeff Francouer (left) and Brian McCann are two of Franco’s All-Stars.  And they have the privilege of learning from the old fella every day as his teammates in Atlanta.  Francouer is making a Rookie of the Year charge, hitting .370 with 10 HR and 30 RBI in only 127 at-bats.  McCann has been a wonderful surprise for the Braves behind the plate, ably subbing for Johnny Estrada.  McCann is hitting .284 with four home runs.  Both players were born in 1984, Julio Franco’s second big league season.  (mlb.com)