SPORTSTALKNY PODCASTS
SPORTSTALKNY PODCASTS
John Franco's resume with the Mets includes 276 saves, tops in franchise history, as well as a National League pennant in 2000. Spending 14 of his 21 big league seasons in New York, Franco amassed 424 career saves, the most by a left-hander and fourth most all time.
His 3.10 ERA as a Met ranks fifth amongst those with at least 700 innings pitched for the franchise. Franco posted a 2.89 overall career ERA with the Mets, Reds and Astros.
"Obviously, John's career statistics are exceptional," said Mets executive vice president of business operations Dave Howard. "But beyond that, Johnny was always very special to Mets fans and to this organization, being a true New Yorker who was committed to being a productive and good member of the community."
Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, who serves as ex officio for the selection committee, echoed those sentiments.
"John set a very high standard during his career both on and off the field," Wilpon said in a statement. "It's great that during our 50th-anniversary season we can have John -- a true New Yorker in every sense -- inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame."
Franco will become the 26th member of the Mets Hall of Fame, joining 2010 inductees Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Davey Johnson and Frank Cashen. Prior to that ceremony, the Mets had not inducted any new members since Tommie Agee in '02.
Former Mets catcher Gary Carter, was inducted a year earlier in 2001. Carter is one of five Mets Hall of Famers also to have a plaque in Cooperstown; Casey Stengel (Mets Hall of Fame Class of 1981), George Weiss ('82), Ralph Kiner ('84) and Tom Seaver ('88) are the others.
John joins Mark and Aj to talk about what the induction meant to him.
Catch Sportstalkny live every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM EST at www.sportstalknylive.com and look for Mark and AJ on your radio dial 540 am starting in July.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
JOHN FRANCO