48-year-old Julio Franco made a rare appearance at third yesterday for the Mets. He played two innings and made two assists on the two balls he fielded.

I say that it was a rare appearance since his last foray at third came 24 years ago when Franco was a shortstop prospect for the Phils who got a September cup-o'-Joe callup. Franco would be part of the five-for-one Phils trade for Von "Purple" Haze that winter. In the Sunday game, Franco doubled his career assists and chances at third: He played two games with two assists at the position in his only year with the Phils.

Franco is now the second-oldest man to ever play third behind Jimmy Austin, who played game at third at age 49 in 1929. Austin basically retired years before, but as a coach for the Browns he was inserted in blowout games. In the 1929 game, he handled both chances his way.

Here are the oldest prior to Franco to play third: