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John Franco

John Franco
Inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame, 2012
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 43 of 1218 players
Franco
John Anthony Franco
Born: September 17, 1960 at Brooklyn, N.Y.
Throws: Left Bats: Left
Height: 5.10 Weight: 175

John Franco has been the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup 28 times, most recently on February 4, 2024.

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First Mets game: April 11, 1990
Last Mets game: October 3, 2004

Share your memories of John Franco

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

Dan
Got a funny Franco anecdote: Couple of years ago, right after Christmas, I was shopping at The Wiz on Staten Island. Suddenly, there was S.I. resident John Franco standing next to me, just a regular guy, browsing computer monitors. I had the presence of mind not to fawn over him and clamor for an autograph. Remembering that he was one of the Mets in the Wiz commercials, I leaned over to him and asked, "So, you get a discount for doing their commercials?" He laughed and said, "You'd think so, wouldn't you?" He was keeping an eye on his kids while his wife exchanged an item. I dunno, I thought he was pretty grounded for a professional athlete.

Michelle Paz
I was so psyched when John Franco got his 400th save last year! That means a lot, especially when playing for the same team for over 10 years. I hope that his perseverance, willingness to be a "team player", and his determination net him the true prize before his career is over: A World Series ring.

Brendan
John Franco is unquestionably one of the greatest players to ever wear a Mets uniform. I can't stand it when he gets booed. Here is a city kid, a Mets fan, who went to St. John's and is now fulfilling his dream by pitching for the Mets. Franco gives everything that he has to this ballclub and I can't wait for the day when number 45 is immortalized in left field. I know that Benitez is our closer but I wish we could get him some more saves so that he could break Lee Smith's record, get up to 500 and get into the Hall of Fame.

AlbanyAreaMet
I like John Franco. I really do. It's July 9th, 2000, and lately he's pitched all right. It's just that he frustrates the living hell out of me when he's pitching. I went from college to Queens to meet my parents and watch a Mets game against the Dodgers on April 8. The Mets played so well against the Dodgers and had a 5-1 lead going into the eighth, when they put in Franco. Let's just say this was not a really good game for the Mets. They lost 6-5 and it really soured my memory of the game and the great performances in it, such as Jay Payton's first home run. On paper he's done well for the Amazin's, but when you watch him, you are at risk of a heart attack. There's no Met I'd like to see win a World Series more than him, but I'd rather have Benitez closing the games.

Won Doney
January 12, 2001
He is definately on my list of my 10 all time favorite Mets.

Sessa54
February 25, 2001
Very clearly in Jan.'98-first day of ticket sales for the new season. We were in the linne a long time and it was freezing out-wind whipping cold. He had just come out from the back of the stadium- some of us went up to him-asking for him to sign things. He just kept walking away-didn't even turn around -just went into their offices. Mr. BigShot I thought. See if I give you the time of day anymore. When they played in S.L this past Sept. he and Cook were in front of me tossing. I yelled out to him & they just kept throwing though no one else was on the field. So he is a jerk- and do us fans cringe at the sight of him entering a game-to think we got 3 more yrs of this selfishness. Learn some real professionalism from a terrific person like Ventura.

Coach HoJo 20
April 29, 2001
John Franco is the heart and soul of the New York Mets. He bleeds Orange and Blue. The guy gives it his all. Definitely one of the greatest closer of all time.

His style doesn't "blow you away" But it works and its effective. A lot of so called Mets fans love to bash this guy. These so called fans will pull stuff out of no where to bash this guy. "I hate him because he blew save against the cubs once." Big deal. Nobody is perfect.

I hope John breaks the saves record. He definitely deserves it. And when he retires I hope this organization throws a huge farewell party for him. Followed buy the retiring of number 45. Franco deserves all that and more.

Coach HoJo 20
May 5, 2001
Elected the Team captain yesterday. He certainly deserves this prestigious honor. He also recorded his 421 save. Now he needs 52 saves to break Lee Smith's record. Good luck Johnny boy I will be rooting for you big time!!!!

Barry
December 18, 2001
My two most vivid memories of John Franco:

1. John Franco Day in 1996 against Chicago, John got EJECTED FROM THE GAME! How do you get ejected on your day?

2. He acted like a total jerk when I, along with some other people, met him a Shea when we were working there.

So not only does he always blow big saves, but he's an a**hole too!

Shari
May 16, 2002
If they only had a stat for making a colossal mess and getting yourself out of it. I love John's personality, and his heart but I think it's time to hang it up and maybe become Bobby V's bench coach. I'd say pitching coach by Charlie Hough is doing fine. I think the team could use being around John's enthusiasm and maybe start getting more than two runs a game.

Anthony V
June 19, 2002
He proved to truly be a team player when he agreed to change his uniform number from 31 to 45 in anticipation of the arrival of Mike Piazza without even being asked to. I realize this is merely symbolic but it could have perhaps played a minor role in Piazza's decision to sign.

Now the problem is, when they retire his number, which one do they retire?

DREWHALL
July 18, 2002
Last year I was watching a game Mets vs. Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark (I'm born and raised in Queens but stuck in Arizona for a while.) I'm sitting there with my wife (we're both decked out in Mets clothing of course). Franco comes in against Luis Gonzalez and strikes him out with two on and the game on the line. I was so sick of hearing everyone screaming Gonzo! John made me proud to be a Mets fan (the Mets won) and shut up all those morons wearing purple.

Elliott
September 23, 2002
For those of you who trash Franco for not signing for them he gave my kids a ball after Jay Payton broke my kids hearts.

Also I played in a WMCA 2 hand touch football league about 20 years ago and as we show up to play the game against this team from Bensonhurst we look up and their QB was John Franco of the Reds. He killed us. He also decked one of my teammates while he was playing defense. After the game he was really cool and talked to us before he went home.

perdude
November 24, 2002
Should have retired three years ago. Never enjoyed watching him pitch and I have never forgiven him for blowing those saves in the last week of the 1998 season that blew the playoffs for the Mets.

Shari
January 7, 2003
I agree as a person John is terrific, I think he is a generous chartible guy and one hell of a motivator, but as a reliever even during his hey-day with the Reds I felt he had nothing and was a total junk-baller. The only reason he got his stuff over was because the hitters hadn't figured him out yet. Now all he's good for is getting out September call-ups because they haven't realized that he's going to throw that out of the strike-zone into the dirt type garbage that he throws & although Benitez wins the ultimate choke award for pitching in games where it counts, I've been to oh so many Met games where they were ahead 6-4 or 3-2 and John came in and gave the game away, he should stop thinking about a 2003 comeback and go into coaching, I think thats where he'll do his best work of his career.

Tom Howard
July 22, 2003
I remember how mad John Franco was when the Mets kept Rick Reed after he played as a "scab" player. Franco was the union rep at the time and didn't seem to care that Rick Reed needed the money to pay for his Mother's substantial medical bills. It seemed Franco didn't care when the umpires went on strike and he crossed their picket line. And now we find out that Franco goes straight to the owner and tells him who to get rid of. Is this what a "good" union man does? It's time to retire John.

Alan
August 12, 2003
Ok John, You proved you could come back from the "Tommy John" surgery. But it also shows my man you have nothing left in the tank. Retire before you get released. And what is this smiling every time you give up the winning hit? We could do without that also.

Shari
August 12, 2003
John-I think that's enough after Saturday nights game. I hate it when these guys don't know when to give it up, they would rather go out stinking on ice than leaving a nice career intact. (And I'm being kind here in John's case.) For the past 3 or 4 years he can only get rookies and September call-ups out with that garbage he throws with absolutely no velocity. Steve Finley jacked him out of the park on Saturday because a veteran who knows better is going to cream him time & time again. I never thought he was amazing when he supposedly considered good, and now I think it's time to become a coach. I love his attitude and always have, but I think he should have become part of the Mets coaching staff years ago instead of inflicting this kind of pain on us fans. He reminds me of that guy everyone loves in a bar who insists on singing karoake even though he's horrible and everyone humors him. In this case letting Johnny sing is hurting the team. Say goodnight Gracie and hang it up already.

Shari
February 17, 2004
Jonathan I completely understand your sentiments. I don't know about the part about the backstabbing. As a person I find John quite likeable, but the plain fact is HE JUST ISN'T THAT GOOD. Even in his prime I never thought he was great, and the last 5 years or so all he is good for is getting out September call-ups who don't realize he's going to throw that 80 mph junk in the dirt. Every game I was ever at that he came into he gave up the lead. I wish he would retire and become a coach already.

Mr. Sparkle
April 10, 2004
John Franco has had a great career but it is time to hang them up. He can't do it anymore. I love the guy but enough is enough. The Mets are loyal to him but he is taking up a roster spot for someone who deserves it more. Maybe Ricky Botalico would have made the team if John weren't around. Last night John stunk up the joint and showed he will have more off nights than on nights. Time to be a coach, which I believe he would be a great one. It's too bad his injury lost him his closer's job and his shot at the all time save record.

Shari
June 14, 2004
My memories of John have not changed-I absolutely cringe when he comes into a game. Now that he's older he is not fooling anyone with that crap he throws in the dirt, he has no velocity on his pitches and he never did. All he is good for is getting out rookies and September call ups that never faced him before, and he's not even so good at getting those guys out. Yes he is one of the all time save gurus, but if they had my favorite stat that I call "The Agita Save" where you come into a game make and absolute mess and get out of it by the skin of your teeth-he would truly be Agita Save Leader in all of baseball. I wish he would just retire already and stop taking up a roster spot.

Alan
June 28, 2004
Franco has been just as hitable now with his "new arm" as he was before the surgery. Hang it up Franco and just be a bullpen coach.

David
December 27, 2004
On the influence of John Franco in his firing, Bobby Valentine said: "I think John Franco thought he could manage and was going to manage, and it clouded a lot of the decisions he made. He was never in my office to help me with any information. Many players thought Johnny was in it for something other than the well-being of me and the Mets." Yup just another reason to love Franco, and wish he would have been jettisoned years ago.

Mr. Sparkle
January 10, 2005
John had only 19 blown saves for the Mets. I know a lot of fans don't like him but he was a very effective closer for the better part of 10 seasons for the Mets. He blew a few games, like game 6 in Atlanta along with Armando and Kenny Rogers, but he did so many more positive things than negative. He got the only Met win in the 2000 Series, and if he had been closing instead of Armando we might have won that series. Yes, he definitely overstayed his welcome but he is one of the best closers we ever had. Maybe he was a little selfish at the end but overall he was great to have on the team.

Larry_Burns
January 10, 2005
Thank god we have cut this "Hometown" hero loose. He was a good closer at some time, but that era passed years ago. He is a great example of a person whose vision of his own importance clouds his judgement. He used his power and influence poorly and along with Al Leiter was actually working, unknowingly, against organizational improvement. The loss of these two guys will positively affect the team for the next few years regardless of the talent loss.

Shari
January 14, 2005
Respectfully Mr. Sparkle I agree with you most of the time, but not here. Franco had only 19 blown saves in the books, but I think you have lost sight of all of the games he came in to "save" and he let the opposing team tie it where he either came away with a no decision or a win when someone else bailed him out. I call this particular stat "The Agita Save" too bad those aren't on the books.

Shari
April 12, 2005
Nothing gave me more pleasure yesterday than to watch this smug little jerk do what he has done so many times for the Mets at Shea stadium-he coughed up a 2 run single to left hand hitting Cliff Floyd. I giggled with delight when I saw it happen. Watching him do this for a team other than the Mets has been one of my baseball fantasies for the last 15 years.

Bonbolito
February 12, 2006
To me he is the textbook example of what an overrated player is. Puts up good numbers, but if you saw him struggle to throw strikes the way he did so many times you'd wonder how he even got to the show. If you were smart enough to just stand there he'd walk you.

Then there are the "intangibles". I remember one spring training where they had Isringhausen stay at his place with him so Franco could mentor him. Isringhausen then goes out and melts down and he gets traded.

Then there was a game I was at shortly after the player's strike when between innings a loud firecracker goes off in the bullpen, clearing it out and Franco runs out first onto the warning track then gestures like "I didn't do it."

There was another game I was at where I saw him struggle through an inning throwing ball after ball and when he finally got the third out he waves goodbye to the umpire and gets ejected.

He'd get a pass on this kind of stuff because of an amicable relationship with the reporters. He always gave good quote. Not my cup of tea. Glad he's gone, bringing him back in any capacity would be a mistake in my book.

Mitch Cohen
August 24, 2006
My one vivid memory of John Franco was in the 1991 season, during the latter part of the season, when the Mets were in their free fall. I had gone to a game on September 8, 1991, between the Mets and Braves, which was started, ironically, by Tom Glavine. After Glavine got hit hard in the first inning, for four runs, he settled down, as good pitchers do, allowing nothing more, and allowing Atlanta to rally, with the key blow being a home run by first baseman Brian Hunter of the Braves, off John Franco, one of only two that Franco allowed that year. Atlanta went on to win the game, and, it was a great moment for me as a Braves fan, to be at that game, and see my team rally, against a great closer like Franco, who had saved so many games against us.

Mitch
January 24, 2007
I think that on balance, the Mets got the better of the Randy Myers for John Franco trade. Yes, in the later years Franco was inconsistent but if you look at his stats, he put up very good ERA and K numbers every year.

Unfortunately, he's going to be remembered as someone who blew some big games, but not someone who saved a lot of games for a lot of bad Mets teams.

JJ
January 24, 2007
All we need to remember about Johnny Franco is his strikeout of Bariod Bonds (looking) to end Gane 2 of the 2000 NLDS. A great moment in Mets history...

John Cropp
October 20, 2008
When 31 goes on the wall, it will be for John Franco as much as for Mike Piazza.

Even if the Mets don't want to acknowledge it, John Franco was the only consistently good thing about the team from the day he arrived until Piazza joined the team.

37 Casey Stengel 14 Gil Hodges 41 Tom Seaver 42 Jackie Robinson 31 Mike Piazza (John Franco)

Metsmind
February 9, 2009
Herbie has hit the nail on the head; this guy is a joke who, amidst total mediocrity, managed to promote himself to the point of claiming legitimacy. But suddenly the Trevor Hoffmans, Lee Smiths, and John Francos are being exposed for what they were, one-dimensional players who found a salary-pumping statistical niche to make a name for themselves. They got the money, we can't take that back, but as far as the accolades, history will leave them as the (so-so) aberrations they truly were.

Maureen Marsh
February 20, 2009
I grew up with Johnny Franco. I lived in Marlboro Projects on Stillwell Ave. in Brooklyn. I lived in 7a and his family lived in 7d. What a great family he has. I was so surprised when I saw him pitching for the N.Y. Mets, still my favorite team. I was trying to get in touch with him when I saw him on the field but never got through. The memories Of Brooklyn and the Francos will last a lifetime. Not to mention Coney Island also! Go METS!

Metsmind
February 20, 2009
The most recent comments posted by Randy Scouse Git pretty much tell the story exactly: he starts by challenging my memory and then pours out the meaningless numbers by which he defines John Franco.

It would seem to me that any fan who was born before 1975, and therefore can remember baseball further back than the mid 80's are the ones who agree with me.

What I DO remember is that it wasn't only the HOF'ers (Fingers, Eck, Goose et al) that dwarfed John Franco, but there were men like Mike Marshall, Tug McGraw, Don McMahon, Lindsay McDaniel, Steve Hamilton, Kent Tekulve who had wonderful careers as relievers. Their value wasn't measured in saves, but in their ability to give their teams the chance to win. A middle relief hold a la early Rick Aguilera was worth at least as much as a sloppy 9th inning where the opponent ONLY scored 1 or 2 runs. If one looks back at the performances and RELIABILITY of these men, (the certainty they would get the job done) while ignoring the save statistic altogether, the bartender will have called last call long before anyone bothered mentioning John (PUNK) Franco.

Edgy DC
February 23, 2009
I'll take Git's numbers over calling the guy a punk because you don't like the closer-driven system under which he was asked to pitch. I'll also take them over the made-up scenario implying that giving up one- two runs per inning in a three-run save was typical.

It wasn't. He gave the team a 3.10 ERA over 15 years. If he left the team after, say, 11 years, it would have been a 2.81 ERA. If Art Howe used him as a lefthanded specialist at the end of his career --- a role many other fine lefthanded closers transitioned to --- it probably also would have been lower. But he lost his effectiveness against righthanders after his surgery. Nothing shocking there.

His career ended with diminishing performance. It happens to everybody. That's not punk, it's reality.

I'm 41. It's not about age. It's about perspective.

Sha-Le
January 17, 2011
I can't believe Johnny got snubbed big time in the Hall of Fame voting. The man with the most saves for a lefty reliever arguably deserves to be in the Hall, or at least another shot on the ballot! The writers gave him barely anything, which is unbelievable.

I think that non-Mets fans will never appreciate John Franco like us Mets fans do. Sure, only a handful of his Mets seasons were winning seasons, but he was healthy and dependable for the most part, and for 15 years (minus '02 since he was hurt all year). He racked up saves, and was very underrated throughout his career.

One day, maybe this error will be corrected and Franco will go in the Hall. For now, we can look forward to an eventual Mets Hall of Fame induction, and maybe even a retired number (45, I would guess). All in all, Johnny had a great Mets career and I'm sure everyone appreciates all the work he does now to help the Mets off the field as a respectable club ambassador.

Bob
January 30, 2012
Game 6 of the 1999 playoffs against the Braves. Mind-melting up-and-down game, Mets have lead in the 8th. Franco doesn't hold the runner on and they score, tying the game up. This seems pretty typical of my memory of Franco; game in mid-June against the Cubs? No problem. Season on the line? Forget about it. When Franco was traded to the Mets he was at the time the longest-serving major league player without any post-season games played. Frankly a lot of the reason was staring at him when he shaved in the morning. And I learn that he's the guy that suggested playing Crazy Mary in the 7th inning. Now I really hate him.

Metsmind
April 13, 2012
There are several reasons why in fact punk is the cleaned up version of what Franco deserves to be called. The Rick Reed "incident" (and it wasn't an incident, it was an ongoing campaign to belittle a man) should suffice for all of us. I do have 2 personal stories that add to my distaste for the guy, but they would be considered hearsay to repeat them here. I know you don't know me, but I ask you to please trust me, I know what I am talking about.

And incidentally, I was working in the World Financial Center on 9/11/01 and I experienced first hand the fear and horror of the event, and I was back to work THERE on the following Monday (that's right) and was exposed to all the sadness and toxins and whatever else was thrust upon us. I saw true heroes down there day after day. John Franco wearing an FDNY hat and serving cookies to affected families was a nice gesture, but that's all it was because that's all as a ballplayer he had to offer. We somehow make a big deal of the return of baseball to Shea Stadium that fall. Don't be fooled, this guy was a jackass 365 days a year both before and soon after that little show.

On his first trip to NY as a Cincy Red, he dissed my autograph seeking younger brother in such an arrogant way, and that arrogance never disappeared for a moment. But not to worry, his peers knew he was bag of hot air.

How many All Star snubs does it take to be told, "we don't respect you" He has a trophy room full of those my friend. Luckily for him he found the one loser, Fred Wilpon, who would be bamboozled by Franco's Brooklyn-ness. And the way Lee Smith is being ignored by the Hall of Fame tells you exactly how to value all those saves Franco compiled.

Metsmind
August 26, 2015
I saw Franco on the field prior to the July 1 game vs the Cubs this year. I cracked up at how the Wilpons still want to promote this guy as a positive in Mets history Then I re-read the postings on this site... I found this entry of mine Metsmind August 10, 2004 ... Franco is the symbol of the "also ran" status that apparently will pervade Shea Stadium for years to come, as it has throughout his career.

Pretty good prediction a decade ago, huh? Hopefully the cycle will be broken this fall, as the organization finally has players (deGrom, Cespedes, Harvey) who are feared and respected by their opponents. And hopefully the Wilpons will quickly adopt these young men as symbols of their organization. A funny observation in re reading here...while plenty of fans relate a nice moment they spent with John Franco, it is the number of people who had bad experiences that is much more telling.... a lousy guy may have a few good moments, but a good guy wouldn't have as many foul moments with his fans as John Franco has.

A horrible era (and error) in Mets history that HOPEFULLY can be finally buried in the next few months.

Metsmind
September 5, 2019
I have long been a Franco basher... his saves added up on his baseball card but not into things like all star games, playoff appearances etc. I still think he is the most over rated NY Met of all time (I have watched daily since June 1966), and now I see some stats to back me up

Using the new metrics, Franco's WHIP as a Met is 1.365, extremely pedestrian. It ranks 33rd all time for the franchise, behind such legends as Ed Lynch, Dillon Gee, Ray Sadecki, etc

His WAR as a met is 11.2, ranking him 20th in the organization. Steve Trachsel, Craig Swan, and Rick Reed (by far) were better.

I love the fact that Lee Smith is in the HOF and Franco will never even be considered. A one dimensional guy who had an owner who liked him, else we wouldnt be saddled with hearing his name any more often than Dick Rusteck or the like.

VIBaseball
September 9, 2019
Yes, Franco nibbled around the plate all the time. It's who he was as a pitcher. He hurt his arm in college at St. John's (where he pitched with Frank Viola). But even still he had a decent fastball and could get a good number of strikeouts, up in the zone as well as getting batters to fish for the stuff that was low and away.

He wasn't a Hall of Famer for sure but is at least on the fringes of the discussion.

As a Met, he saved 276 and blew 64. That's an 81% success ratio. Not up there with the best but not bad either. And the guy had guts on the mound.

And I can't believe no one mentioned his fun entry music, Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Good.

Bob
June 9, 2021
Positives:

-He loved the Mets franchise.

-Striking out Bonds in game 2 of the 2000 NLDS to end the game in extras after Benitez blew it in the 9th.

Negatives:

-He was horrible in 1998. He was 0-8 with a very high ERA, and many blown saves. He is the reason why the Mets didnt win the NL Wild Card in 1998, because of all those games he blew.

- Game 6 of 1999 NLCS, he couldnt hold onto the one-run lead in the bottom of the 8th after the Mets made that outstanding comeback against Atlanta.

Jimmy The Gent
September 19, 2022
Overrated weasel.

Memo to Steve Cohen: please do NOT ever entertain the thought of giving this guy some kind of “legacy” number retirement. I’d never think to have to say that; however - too many Met fans seem to be enamored with the idea of him being a player we hold in reverence within the franchise.

Makes me gag, thinking that could ever be a scenario that might play out down the line somewhere.

Don’t do it; ever.

Thank you, Met Fans With Eyeballs and Historical Perspective








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