Is the ageless wonder really done?

Opening Day is just weeks away and 49-year-old Julio Franco remains unsigned.  Just to put in perspective Franco’s age – Jesse Orosco, who Oriole fans may remember as a solid veteran left-handed relief pitcher in the mid-to-late 90’s, turns 51 next month, and he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2003.

With future Hall-of-Famer Craig Biggio retiring and Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds appearing unlikely to play this season, the list of major leaguers in their 40’s is limited to Luis Gonzalez, Moises Alou, Omar Vizquel, Matt Stairs, Tom Gordon, and Jeff Kent.  Frank Thomas will turn 40 in May and Mike Piazza will join the club in September, but he, like Franco, is unsigned.  Steve Finley, also unsigned, celebrated his 43rd birthday this week.  40-year-old Kenny Lofton is still waiting for a contract offer as well.  Hideo Nomo, trying to make the Royals, will turn 40 in August.

41-year-old Jeff Conine hasn’t officially retired, but neither has he expressed interest in playing in 2008.  Same goes for 40-year-old Reggie Sanders, who auditioned for a gig on “Baseball Tonight” in January.

For those who missed it, the oldest guy in camp was not an athlete in his 40’s, but rather actor Billy Crystal who, one day shy of his 60^th birthday, played in the Yankees exhibition game against Pittsburgh on Thursday.  After running the count full in his first and only at-bat, Crystal struck out, but was grateful for the opportunity.

As a fan of the game, I can only hope that Franco is not done.  I know he cannot play forever, but I would love to see him swing the bat – the heaviest piece of lumber in the majors, I believe – just one more time.

Other things worth mentioning: I know Spring Training is the time to experiment with younger, less experienced players in different positions and roles, but Esteban Yan is not the answer to Baltimore’s bullpen problems, and certainly not in the closer’s role.  The Orioles should have learned that over 10 years ago – the first time Yan was on the team.

Rocco Baldelli got some disappointing news this week.  Though he’s battled numerous injuries in his brief major-league career, this was different.  Baldelli was diagnosed with “metabolic, and/or mitochondrial abnormalities,” a condition that he himself said is “difficult to explain.”  From what I understand, he gets physically fatigued more quickly than he should.  It’s a tough break for the 26-year-old outfielder, but hopefully the doctors will figure out how to help him, and Baldelli can return to the Rays this season.

Finally, I’d like to remember someone who for many years helped me play the game I love.  Monday marks the one-year anniversary of his death.  Rest in peace Coach Liss.