Queens Gazette

John Franco Inducted Into Mets Hall Of Fame





Photos Dan Miller/DMD Images

Photos Dan Miller/DMD Images

Two days following the First No-Hitter ever pitched in Mets history, Brooklyn born John Franco was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.

John Franco is recognized as the Mets all-time leader in saves(276) and games pitched (695).

John Franco , a perennial All Star relief pitcher( 4 times) who had a stellar career with the Mets setting records for saves (424), the most ever by a left hand pitcher in the major leagues, was surrounded by former Mets and St John’s University college baseball teammates, family and friends when Howie Rose called him to the podium to receive his honor.

The Hall of Fame induction was bestowed upon him by former St. John’s University Hall of Fame Basketball coach Lou Carnesecca and current SJU Athletic Director Chris Monasch.

It is only fitting that John Franco, who pitched two no hitters as a high school star at Lafayette High School in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, led St. John’s University to the College World Series as his former alma mater was playing in this year’s NCAA baseball playoffs.

 Following the Mets Hall of fame induction of John Franco the New York Mets faced the St. Louis cardinals in the third of a four game series. The Mets had taken the first two games in back to back shutouts including Yohan Santana’s and New York Mets first ever No Hitter.

Another Queens native, Mike Baxter, played a big role in conserving Santana’s no hitter. Baxter protected the no hit streak with a fabulous running diving catch in the seventh inning off the bat of Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. That catch preserved the no hitter but has sidelined Baxter for at least two weeks with an injury sustained when he ran into the wall.

Mike Baxter grew up in Whitestone and was a standout high school baseball player at Archbishop Molloy high school. Baxter was leading the major leagues in pinch hits and his .444 batting average as a pinch hitter was fifth in the majors when he went out with the injury.

John Franco was named Mets team captain on May 4, 2001.

Mets left handed pitcher Jon Niese(3-2, 4.55 ERA ERA) faced Cards starter Jake Wakefield(4-4,3.84).

The Mets staked Jon Niese to a 6-0 lead before he left the game, with an elevated heart, rate in the sixth inning. The Mets bullpen preserved the win giving up one run for a Mets 6-1 victory. The 3-game winning streak left the Mets (31-23) in a 3-way tie for first place with the Washington Nationals (30-22) and the Miami Marlins in the National League’s Eastern Division.

 


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