Please Retire Julio Franco

Today the Mets were down 5-3 to the Phillies with a runner on first and two outs in the ninth inning. Up to the plate walked Julio Franco (he's 48 years old, in case you hadn't heard). Was there anyone in the stadium who thought Franco would get a hit? Probably not. And they were all right. Franco grounded out to second to end the game.

Not only did he record the final out, but he leisurely jogged down to first, even though Chase Utley, the Phillies 2nd baseman, bobbled the ball. He jogged to first like a 48 year old, not like a major league baseball player.

That was last straw for me. No matter what he does this season, I want Julio Franco to retire now. I know he adds so much to the clubhouse, but he adds absolutely nothing to the baseball field, besides arthritis and back pain.

Here's a list I compiled for Julio that will hopefully convince him that it's time to hang up the cleats:

-There's a lot of great food out there. A diet of oatmeal and egg whites can get kind of old.

-You're 48 years old. The right side of the Mets infield is a combined 48 years old. Omar Minaya, the Mets general manager, is 48 years old. Shea Stadium is 42 years old. Play golf, not baseball.

-Bob Barker just retired. You're a shoe-in to take his spot on "The Price is Right.

-You might get hurt.

-Go to a George Benson concert. Then you'll see what it means for someone to be over the hill and what pain that person can cause (to the ears in his case, to the fans in your case).

-You can become a coach. That why you can continue to be a great presence in the clubhouse and give your roster spot to someone who can hit the ball beyond the infield.

-You're not good anymore. You're batting average is .188 and you can hardly move. How many times have you come up in a big spot this year and failed miserably?

-I think you're a great guy. But your time has come. Please Julio, retire already!