ATLANTA -- Kevin Pillar added to his success in MLBx. But it was soon-to-be 68-year-old Julio Franco who stole the show as Braves alumni competed in the new-age home-run-hitting contest that included both team and defensive elements on Saturday at Truist Park.
“Julio needs to be studied in a lab,” Pillar said. “I was joking with Charlie [Culberson] when he was sitting on the grass while Julio was hitting. I said, ‘That's the only thing I'm going to be doing at 67 is sitting in the grass.’ So it's awesome to see him come out here and still do his thing. It's kind of inspiring, honestly.”
Franco was a three-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger who began his big league career with Cleveland in 1982 and ended it with Atlanta in 2007. When he joined the Braves near the end of the 2001 season, he had just turned 43. He ended up tallying 1,618 more plate appearances before retiring.
“Julio is a machine and keeps himself in the greatest shape, man,” former Braves outfielder Brian Jordan said. “I know he eats right. He was doing it when he was playing, and he's still doing it, man. I was really impressed with his performance.”
Franco’s three-person team defeated Jordan’s team in the first round by winning a rock, paper, scissors tiebreaker. But the ageless wonder’s squad was defeated by Pillar’s group in the championship round of this event that coincided with Braves Alumni Weekend.
Pillar also won an event in Kansas City last year. So, should he be recognized as the king of MLBx?
“It’s starting to trend in that direction,” Pillar said with a smile. “Who would have thought? I hit way more homers here than I did when I played, but I think it's such a great event.”
MLBx is a co-ed, three-versus-three baseball competition that puts equal emphasis on offense and defense. Saturday’s teams were composed of one former Braves player, a player from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League and a baseball player from the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech.
The semifinal matchups were:
Team Brian Jordan -- Jordan, Bri Ellis (Utah Talons), Jake Hanley (UGA) vs. Team Franco -- Franco, Megan Grant (Portland Cascade) and Will Baker (GT)
Team Culberson -- Culberson, Sydney Romero (Oklahoma City Spark) and Jack Arcamone (UGA) vs. Team Pillar -- Pillar, Jordan Woolery (Utah) and Ryan Zuckerman (GT)
Every player received a 90-second at-bat while the opposing team played defense. Teams scored points through home runs, defensive catches and bonus targets, with a five-swing "Hot Streak" allowing points to be doubled.
When Team Jordan and Team Franco were tied at the end of their semifinal round, Grant, who hit 38 homers for UCLA this year, defeated Ellis in a rock, paper, scissors matchup.
“It was a little nerve-wracking, but we pulled through,” Grant said.
Franco was a late substitute for recent Hall of Fame inductee Andruw Jones, who chose not to compete earlier this week. He still flashed that patented smooth swing as he hit a few home runs on the modified field. Home plate was located between second base and the pitcher's mound, and the foul lines went to the outfield wall in both alleys.
So, when was the last time Franco had swung a bat?
“I came out here this afternoon and stretched out a little bit,” Franco said. “But I play golf. It’s the same.”
Zuckerman experienced the thrill of sealing the win for Team Pillar. The Yellow Jackets slugger won a one-minute swing-off against Grant with a last-second home run.
Grant and Zuckerman were both born in 2004, the same year a 45-year-old Franco hit .309 with a .818 OPS over 361 plate appearances for the Braves.
“The fact he’s doing this is incredible,” Grant said.