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Lot # 301: Julio Franco Tampa Bay Devil Rays Game Used Bat

Category: Baseball Equipment

Starting Bid: $100.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "24/7 Pop-Up",
which ran from 7/24/2022 7:00 PM to
8/7/2022 10:00 PM



Julio Franco holds the all-time record for being the oldest player in Major League baseball history to hit a home run when he belted one into the swimming pool at Chase Stadium on May 4, 2007, when he was 48 years old. he was playing first base for the New York Mets in that game, and he hit a two-run home run in the top of the 2nd inning off the Arizona Diamondbacks' lefty Randy Johnson. "I want to hit one [a home run] when I'm fifty," said Franco. He didn't get his wish, because he finished playing in the Major leagues in 2007, but he had quite a ride. He played shortstop, second base, and first base. and he hit .298 over his long career. In his late forties he was primarily a pinch hitter. Franco played for eight different Major League teams, mostly for the Cleveland Indians and the Atlanta Braves. He was a 3-time All-Star, won 5 Silver Slugger Awards, and was the 1991 American League batting champion. The offered bat is a Louisville Slugger. On the barrel of the bat is imprinted "Genuine C243 Julio Franco (on a facsimile signature) Tampa Bay Devil Rays." Also on the barrel is the Major League Baseball logo. The bat is 35.25" long, and it weighs 33.9 ounces. The bat exhibits nice use. The handle has been boned and/or shaved, and there are numerous ball marks, and some scratches. The bat was used during the 1999 season when Franco was playing his lone season for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Franco had a long and distinguished career, but he is best remembered for his amazing longevity. In addition to holding the record for being the oldest player to hit a homer, he holds records for the oldest player to hit a grand slam (47 years old) in 2005, and the second oldest player to steal a base (48 years old) in 2007. This game used Julio Franco bat makes a nice memento from one of the oldest, and still effective, position players in history.

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