Franco to join Class-A Rome on Thursday

[DravenX]

Minorleaguebaseball.com

Rome, GA -- The Rome Braves announce that Atlanta Braves star Julio Franco will join the team beginning Thursday, August 16th. The 48-year-old first baseman cleared waivers and accepted a Minor League assignment with Rome, with an agreement the Braves would bring him back to the Majors by Sept. 1. That's when rosters can be expanded for the season's final month. The veteran first baseman will celebrate his 49th birthday Aug. 23rd.

"It's an honor to have someone with his experience and tenure joining our team," says Rome General Manager Michael Dunn. Franco is expected to be with Rome through Saturday and possibly longer.

Rome continues their road trip in Greensboro tonight. The Braves return home on Thursday August 16 to play the Greenville Drive.

[Dry1313]

Why Class A?

They can't even put him at AAA?

[DravenX]

I don't know how the Minors are with roster spots but I was thinking it was because they didn't want to put him in AAA and send someone down to AA just because of Franco.

[Dry1313]

Eh, I think he's earned that right playing in the majors for 500 billion years.

[Kingdom]

Whatever happened to Matt Franco?

[DravenX]

"I could have started somewhere in Triple-A, but I didn't want to do that,"

Julio Franco wanted to play at Class A so he could share his knowledge with young players.

I'm not surprised.