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 More Athletics NewsAthletics LinksGrowing up, Luis Polonia idolized fellow Dominican Republic native Julio Franco. These days, Polonia finds himself challenging Franco in terms of longevity. "I looked up to Julio Franco," Polonia said at the 2007 Caribbean Series, "and he's 10 years older than me and he's still playing in the big leagues." Exaggerating slightly, Franco is 48, while Polonia is 43. But Polonia's quip was greeted with laughter by the media at the Series. The fact is, Polonia enjoyed a 12-year Major League career in his own right, breaking in with the A's in 1987 and walking away in 2000 after seeing action in 37 games with the Yankees. In many ways, Polonia has become the unofficial "King of Winter Ball." He is competing in his 23rd winter season, all with the Cibao Eagles. |
