Julio Franco, at 47 years, 240 days old, becomes the oldest player in major league history to hit a home run

Julio Franco, at 47 years, 240 days old, becomes the oldest player in major league history to hit a home run

ByThis Day in Baseball

Julio Franco, at 47 years, 240 days old, becomes the oldest player in major league history to hit a home run. At Petco Park, Franco connects for a two-run, pinch-hit shot off Scott Linebrink that launches the Mets’ six-run 8th inning and propells them to a 7 – 2 comeback victory against the Padres. This gives Franco the spot in the record book that had belonged to Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Jack Quinn, who was 46 years, 357 days old when he homered on June 27, 1930. Franco already was the oldest player to hit a grand slam and a pinch-hit homer, and to have a multi-homer game. He also has four career pinch-hit homers. Kazuo Matsui hits another notable homer for the Mets early in the game. His inside-the-park home run leading off the 3rd inning makes this the third consecutive year he’s homered in his first at-bat of the season. The last player to do that was Ken Griffey, Jr.from 1997 to 1999, while with Seattle.

Chicago White Sox hitters Julio Franco and Robin Ventura hit home runs back-to-back twice in a 7 – 6 defeat to the Detroit Tigers.

Chicago White Sox hitters Julio Franco and Robin Ventura hit home runs back-to-back twice in a 7 – 6 defeat to the Detroit Tigers.

ByTom

1994 – Chicago White Sox hitters Julio Franco and Robin Ventura hit home runs back-to-back twice in a 7 – 6 defeat to the Detroit Tigers.

Carney Lansford is credited with an unusual two-run inside-the-park homer in the A’s 5-3 victory

Carney Lansford is credited with an unusual two-run inside-the-park homer in the A’s 5-3 victory

ByTom

During a Cactus League contest, Carney Lansford is credited with an unusual two-run inside-the-park homer in the A’s 5-3 victory over the Indians in Phoenix. The infielder circles the bases in the fourth inning when Mel Hall’s shirt gets stuck on the fence, preventing the outfielder from playing the ball, that is just barely out of reach, while his teammate, shortstop Julio Franco, closest to the play, is so incapacitated with laughter he is unable to help.