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Franco done after 23 years

49-year-old Julio Franco amassed more than 2,500 hits in his major league career. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
49-year-old Julio Franco amassed more than 2,500 hits in his major league career. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Julio Franco finally called it quits.

The 49-year-old announced his retirement from baseball after a 23-year career in the major leagues and stints in his native Dominican Republic, South Korea, Japan and Mexico. In 2007, he became the oldest player to hit a home run in the majors.

“It was the hardest decision in my life,” Franco said in an interview published Saturday by Mexican sports daily Record.

The infielder announced his retirement Wednesday night to his Mexican league team, the Quintana Roo Tigers. The league posted the news on its Web site the next day.

Franco last played in the majors in 2007, when he played in 55 games with the New York Mets (40) and the Atlanta Braves (15). He batted .222 with one home run and 16 RBI in 90 at-bats.

Franco hit his last major league home run against Randy Johnson on May 4, 2007. At 48, he became the oldest player to homer in the majors.

The Dominican retired with a .298 average, 2,586 hits and 173 home runs in 23 seasons in the majors with eight teams.

Franco debuted in the majors in 1982 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hampton faces setback

Mike Hampton’s long procession of comeback attempts is taking an emotional toll that forced him to at least briefly consider retirement.

Hampton left his rehab start at Triple-A Richmond on Wednesday after aggravating his injured left pectoral muscle. The Atlanta Braves left-hander first suffered the chest injury in pregame warmups on April 3 when he was only minutes away from completing a comeback from two elbow surgeries. The start would have been his first in almost three years.

After his latest setback, Hampton has been advised to sit out longer before trying to pitch again.

Griffey shuffled

Ken Griffey Jr. continued his pursuit of 600 homers from an unusual lineup spot.

Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker, looking to shake up his lineup, moved Griffey to No. 2 in the lineup against Atlanta.

Griffey, hitting .248 with four homers and 15 RBIs, has 597 career homers and has spent his career in the middle of lineups.