http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/john_franco/41448 Recent articles about John Franco en-us Mariano Rivera has received some recognition from opponents as he makes his way around the league for his final season in 2013, but the Mets may have raised the bar for honors going forward. The legendary Yankees closer was invited by Mets owner Jeff Wilpon to throw out the first pitch before Tuesday night’s Subway Series game, the last one the Yanks will be playing at Citi Field this year. Of course, the two teams could meet up again in the World Series, but come on, this is the Mets we’re talking about here. Catching Rivera was Mets legend John Franco, who recorded 424 career saves of his own for the Amazin’s. Check out the video of the moment below. Your browser does not support iframes. Tue, 28 May 2013 21:28:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mariano_rivera_throws_out_first_pitch_at_citi_field_to_mets_legend_john_franco_video/13712804 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mariano_rivera_throws_out_first_pitch_at_citi_field_to_mets_legend_john_franco_video/13712804 Mariano Rivera Throws Out First Pitch at Citi Field to Mets Legend John Franco (Video) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mariano_rivera_throws_out_first_pitch_at_citi_field_to_mets_legend_john_franco_video/13712804 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/8/984c7f865de5d4293dba1993c89c770d41ee447a/mini/MLB_MAY_08_a317.jpg In our fourth installment of the Upper Deck 2000 World Series, we take a look at the John Franco base card: Want your card featured? Click here. Written 7/20 Tweet Sat, 06 Oct 2012 14:00:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_baseball_card_of_the_day_john_franco_upper_deck_world_series/11895178 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_baseball_card_of_the_day_john_franco_upper_deck_world_series/11895178 Mets Baseball Card of the Day: John Franco (Upper Deck World Series) http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_baseball_card_of_the_day_john_franco_upper_deck_world_series/11895178 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Topps put out an awesome box set in 2000 where they featured players from both teams and moments in the playoffs: Want to see your card featured? Click here. Written 7/19 Tweet Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:00:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_baseball_card_of_the_day_john_franco_2000_division_series/11531080 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_baseball_card_of_the_day_john_franco_2000_division_series/11531080 Mets Baseball Card of the Day: John Franco 2000 Division Series http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_baseball_card_of_the_day_john_franco_2000_division_series/11531080 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png St. John's is surging deep into the NCAA tournament with the first super regional appearance in school history. The Red Storm (40-21) are two wins away from their first trip to the College World Series since the 1980 team that featured John Franco and Frank Viola. They went undefeated in the regional round and knocked off host and No. 6 national seed North Carolina. Next up: the slugging Arizona Wildcats in a best-of-three series starting Friday in Tucson with a trip to Omaha on the line. Since the NCAA expanded its tournament to 64 teams and added the super regional round in 1999, St. John's has never gotten this far. The Red Storm have gotten close, though, having been to the regionals eight times in coach Ed Blankmeyer's 17 seasons. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:49:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/st_johns_surging_into_arizona_2_wins_from_cws/10963211 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/st_johns_surging_into_arizona_2_wins_from_cws/10963211 St. John's surging into Arizona, 2 wins from CWS http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/st_johns_surging_into_arizona_2_wins_from_cws/10963211 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Check out my video coverage of last night’s induction of John Franco into the Mets Hall of Fame. Mon, 04 Jun 2012 12:48:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/video_john_franco_enshrined_in_mets_hall_of_fame/10937117 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/video_john_franco_enshrined_in_mets_hall_of_fame/10937117 Video: John Franco Enshrined In Mets Hall Of Fame http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/video_john_franco_enshrined_in_mets_hall_of_fame/10937117 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png John Franco has been inducted into the New York Mets' Hall of Fame. The former closer and team captain was honored in a 35-minute ceremony before Sunday night's game at Citi Field against the St. Louis Cardinals. Franco, who grew up in Brooklyn, says his dream came true when he got a chance to play for the team he rooted for as a kid. The pitcher's family and several former teammates from the Mets and nearby St. John's University were on hand for his big night. Franco is the club's career leader in saves (276) and games pitched (695). He joined the Mets in 1990 after a trade from Cincinnati and stayed in New York until 2004, making him the second-longest tenured player in team history, behind Ed Kranepool. The four-time All-Star finished his career with 424 saves, the most by a left-hander. Mon, 04 Jun 2012 01:14:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_induct_franco_into_teams_hall/10933712 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_induct_franco_into_teams_hall/10933712 Mets induct Franco into team's Hall http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_induct_franco_into_teams_hall/10933712 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png APNewsNow. With AP Photos. John Franco has been inducted into the New York Mets' Hall of Fame. The former closer and team captain was honored in a 35-minute ceremony before Sunday night's game at Citi Field against the St. Louis Cardinals. Franco, who grew up in Brooklyn, says his dream came true when he got a chance to play for the team he rooted for as a kid. The pitcher's family and several former teammates from the Mets and nearby St. John's University were on hand for his big night. Franco is the club's career leader in saves (276) and games pitched (695). He joined the Mets in 1990 after a trade from Cincinnati and stayed in New York until 2004, making him the second-longest tenured player in team history, behind Ed Kranepool. The four-time All-Star finished his career with 424 saves, the most by a left-hander. Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:17:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_induct_john_franco_into_teams_hall_of_fame/10932770 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_induct_john_franco_into_teams_hall_of_fame/10932770 Mets induct John Franco into team's Hall of Fame http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_induct_john_franco_into_teams_hall_of_fame/10932770 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE METS SINGLE GAME TICKETS VIA ONLINE PRESALE THIS MONDAY AND TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27 AND 28 The New York Mets today announced Citi will offer Citi credit and debit cardholders an exclusive opportunity to purchase Mets single game tickets for the 2012 season at Citi Field before they go on sale to the general public through an online presale at Mets.com/CitiPresale. The two-day promotion begins this Monday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. and ends Tuesday, February 28 at 11:59 p.m. This presale is for single game ticket purchases only and customers must use their Citi credit or debit card to take advantage of this special offer. “Citi is thrilled to make this exclusive offer available to our valued Citi credit and debit cardholders,” said Bill Brown, Manhattan Division Director, Citibank. “This is yet another benefit to having a Citi card and we look forward to seeing fans out at Citi Field cheering on the Mets this year.” As part of a series of events with the Mets Alu... Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:21:58 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_great_john_franco_to_join_citi_at_presale_promotion_events_in_nyc/10094278 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_great_john_franco_to_join_citi_at_presale_promotion_events_in_nyc/10094278 Mets Great John Franco to Join Citi at Presale Promotion Events in NYC http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_great_john_franco_to_join_citi_at_presale_promotion_events_in_nyc/10094278 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b7727816e0f3ec48dde624156eddf62c0ac9925/mini/PicImg_MLB_MAR_29_2491.jpg The Mets Hall of Fame is about to get even larger. Last Thursday they announced plans to induct the former closer John Franco into their Hall of Fame this summer.   The move will make Franco their fifth new inductee in the last three years alone. For anyone in the dark, because you prefer football, playing Partypoker or the latest PS3 releases over watching baseball, Franco has an impressive resume.  It boasts 276 saves while with the Mets alone, and he gained 424 saves in his entire career. It says a lot about him, that over half were with the Mets. Of the 21 leagues he played, 14 were spent in New York. Speaking about his induction he had this to say: “I am truly honored and humbled by being elected into the Mets Hall of Fame. Growing up as a kid in Brooklyn … rooting for the Mets, and then working my way through high school and college and having a good career here in New York, it’s an honor for me to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.” Franco is to become the 26th member of the Hall of Fame, a Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:27:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/franco_to_be_inducted_into_the_mets_hall_of_fame/9621592 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/franco_to_be_inducted_into_the_mets_hall_of_fame/9621592 Franco to be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/franco_to_be_inducted_into_the_mets_hall_of_fame/9621592 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b7727816e0f3ec48dde624156eddf62c0ac9925/mini/PicImg_MLB_MAR_29_2491.jpg I’m very happy that John Franco has become the latest member of the Mets’ Hall of Fame.  He is more than deserving of the honor, having pitched 14 seasons with the Mets and becoming the franchise’s all-time saves leader.  However, I am surprised by the fact that Franco was inducted this year, when there is another reliever who’s been waiting longer and is equally, if not more deserving of enshrinement into the team’s hallowed Hall.  My friends, where’s the love for Jesse Orosco? When John Franco became the Mets’ all-time leader in saves in 1994, he broke Jesse Orosco’s record.  Prior to 1984, when the Mets became a perennial contender, Orosco was the sole bright spot on a last-place team. In 1983, he went 13-7 with a 1.47 ERA and 17 saves.  He actually led the team in wins that year despite pitching exclusively out of the bullpen.  For his efforts, Orosco made his first All-Star team, finished 3rd in the Cy Young vote and actually finished 17th in MVP despite p... Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:55:32 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/good_for_john_franco_but_wheres_jesse_orosco/9616537 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/good_for_john_franco_but_wheres_jesse_orosco/9616537 Good For John Franco, But Where’s Jesse Orosco? http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/good_for_john_franco_but_wheres_jesse_orosco/9616537 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b7727816e0f3ec48dde624156eddf62c0ac9925/mini/PicImg_MLB_MAR_29_2491.jpg Today, the Mets announced John Franco as the latest inductee into their Hall of Fame. I discussed how Tom Seaver might have been “Born to be a Dodger” earlier this week, but if someone was ever born to be a member of the Mets, it’s Franco. Born and raised in the Marlboro Projects in Brooklyn, Franco starred at Lafayette High School and St. John’s before he was selected by the Dodgers in the 5th round of the 1981 draft. Listed at 5’10”, it’s unlikely that Franco could get a scout to look at him today, much less be selected in the draft. The Reds acquired him in 1983, and he became a fixture in their bullpen in 1984. The call to New York finally came in December of 1989 as the Mets swapped closers with Cincinnati, dealing Randy Myers for Franco. Who would have thought his tenure in a Mets uniform would last 14 seasons. There are quite a few memories I have of Franco. The earliest one came on May 6th, 1988 when Darryl Strawberry hit a game winning home run off him at Shea. This was even m Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:01:39 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/john_franco_a_hall_of_famer_at_heart/9610166 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/john_franco_a_hall_of_famer_at_heart/9610166 John Franco, A Hall of Famer at Heart http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/john_franco_a_hall_of_famer_at_heart/9610166 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b7727816e0f3ec48dde624156eddf62c0ac9925/mini/PicImg_MLB_MAR_29_2491.jpg #bbpBox_162550633176637440 a { text-decoration:none; color:#0084B4; }#bbpBox_162550633176637440 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }BREAKING NEWS: Congrats to John Franco the newest member of the Mets Hall of Fame!!about 6 hours ago via webReplyRetweetFavorite@MetsNew York Mets John Franco thanked Mets fans in this video: John Franco poses in the Mets Hall of Fame (photo via official Facebook page of the New York Mets) John Franco was a great closer for the Mets, and he is a great New Yorker. In fact, someone I know saw Franco at a restaurant in Manhattan and thanked him for being a great Met and a great role model for the City of New York. Franco was extremely nice in responding too. Congrats John! Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:33:58 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_induct_john_franco_into_mets_hof/9607259 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/mets_induct_john_franco_into_mets_hof/9607259 Mets induct John Franco into Mets HOF http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_induct_john_franco_into_mets_hof/9607259 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b7727816e0f3ec48dde624156eddf62c0ac9925/mini/PicImg_MLB_MAR_29_2491.jpg The Mets announced today that John Franco will be inducted in to the team’s Hall of Fame on June 3 before an afternoon game against the Cardinals. Franco picked up 274 of his 424 saves in a Mets uniform and owns a 2.89 ERA over a 21 year major league career. During a conference call today John Franco had this to say about the big news: “I’m truly honored and humbled to be elected. Growing up rooting for the Mets it’s an honor and very special for a kid from Brooklyn. My dad is up in heaven looking down with a smile.” Congratulations, John! Question: Does Franco have the credentials for Cooperstown? Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:12:26 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/congratulations_to_john_franco_on_mets_hall_of_fame_selection/9603179 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/congratulations_to_john_franco_on_mets_hall_of_fame_selection/9603179 Congratulations To John Franco On Mets Hall Of Fame Selection! http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/congratulations_to_john_franco_on_mets_hall_of_fame_selection/9603179 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b7727816e0f3ec48dde624156eddf62c0ac9925/mini/PicImg_MLB_MAR_29_2491.jpg (from the Mets on Twitter) Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:58:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/john_francos_short_message_to_mets_fans/9564488 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/john_francos_short_message_to_mets_fans/9564488 John Franco’s short message to Mets fans http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/john_francos_short_message_to_mets_fans/9564488 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b7727816e0f3ec48dde624156eddf62c0ac9925/mini/PicImg_MLB_MAR_29_2491.jpg In the final weeks of the season, Sandy Alderson paid a visit into the SNY booth and said the following in regards to how he will handle the closer role heading into next season: Photo by Michael G. Baron The closer role is too important, and that’s not to say you have to overspend on the closer role, but I think you’ve got to have somebody that you can reasonably depend on. It just takes too much out of a club to lose games late consistently. A blown save is a blown save, everybody has the, but it’s one thing to blow ten percent. It’s another thing to blow fifty percent. I actually think that’s what contributed to the 1-8 home stand. At some point, the blown saves accumulate and have at least a temporary effect on morale, including mine, by the way [laughing].” When asked if he believed next season’s closer was on the clubs current roster, Alderson replied, “I’m not sure that our closer is in the organization at this time. It’s possible, but I’m not sure that it is.” One person who b Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/john_franco_still_believes_in_bobby_parnell/7822861 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/john_franco_still_believes_in_bobby_parnell/7822861 John Franco still believes in Bobby Parnell http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/john_franco_still_believes_in_bobby_parnell/7822861 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png