Pro Sports

Franco retires at 49

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. "I always said I would be the first one to know the exact moment. I think the numbers speak for themselves, the production speaks and this is the right moment.

"I understand that my time has passed and the great men and athletes know when to say enough."

The infielder announced his retirement Wednesday night to his Mexican league team, the Quintana Roo Tigers. The league posted the news 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 began his professional career in 1980 with the Escogido Lions in the Dominican winter league, and debuted in the majors in 1982 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

He also played for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In Japan he played with the Chiba Lotte Marines, in South Korea with the Samsung Lions and in Mexico with the Angelopolis Tigers and the Quintana Roo Tigers.

Griffey moves up in lineup

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

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

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

Baker said he was looking for a change after seeing his team held to two runs in back-to-back losses.

"I'm not crazy about changing the lineup," Baker said. "I'm trying to find something that will work for a long period of time."

Brandon Phillips hit third and rookie Joey Votto was the cleanup hitter for the first time in his career.

Griffey, who has hit third in 27 games and cleanup in his other start this season, didn't mind the move up to No. 2.

"I'm trying to volunteer for the leadoff position," Griffey said before the game. "I'm working on that."

Griffey hit second for the first time since May 3, 2005, against St. Louis. Most of his 62 career starts as the No. 2 hitter came while with Seattle.

It's not as if Baker hasn't tried other lineup options. Griffey is Cincinnati's eighth No. 2 hitter. Jeff Keppinger, with 20 starts as the No. 2 hitter, has been the most popular option.