Braves welcome back 48-year-old Franco

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Atlanta Braves have agreed terms with 48-year-old infielder/pinch hitter Julio Franco on a contract through the 2007 season, the National League team said on Wednesday.

Franco, released last week by the New York Mets, rejoins Atlanta, where he played five season before joining the Mets for the 2006 season.

The Braves said Franco would be activated on Thursday.

Franco, who has said he wants to continue until he is at least 50, has played in 24 Major League Baseball seasons compiling 2,576 career hits and a .298 career batting average in 2,512 games.

The well-traveled Dominican, who began his major league career in 1982 with the Phillies, has also played in Japan (1995, 1998), Mexico (1999, 2001) and South Korea (2000).

Franco, who last season became the oldest player to hit a homer in the major leagues, batted .200 (10-for-50) with one home run for the Mets this season.

He turns 49 in August.

-- God bless him. I remember when he was with the Indians. Julio Franco had a pretty wild past, so for hoim to be this age and still playing is nothing short of amazing! WOW!!