DUDE of the WEEK: JULIO FRANCO--NY Daily News

Bob Raissman notes Julio's influence in the Mets' dugout:

IT's JULIO FRANCO...

For convincing Carlos Beltran to take a curtain call Thursday night. In the scheme of a long season, this is small potatoes, but it shows what baseball's Methuselah is all about - leadership. Something the Mets, and many other teams, have been lacking. This is not about some old guy teaching skills. No, it's about someone who can teach respect. Franco told Beltran: "Embrace it ... You don't want to be at odds with the fans. I guess they have booed him a couple of times, but that's how fans are." Wow! A player concerned about fans. Now, that's different. Bravo Franco.

• Nevertheless, I'd much rather see what Brewers fans do for a struggling player---I hear when Prince Fielder came to bat recently after 8 or 9 strike outs, they cheered for him wildly. Soon thereafter he did get a great hit & the team is undefeated.

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