Background
He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up in Spiro, Oklahoma.
He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and grew up in Spiro, Oklahoma.
He graduated from high school in Spiro in 1991 and was named to the All-State baseball team Franklin was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 23rd round of the 1992 amateur draft but chose to return to school.
He played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, and Cardinals. Seattle Mariners
He signed his first major league contract with the team on May 21, 1993. After arriving in the Majors full-time in 2001, Franklin spent the following four years as a starter for the Mariners, posting a record of 23-44.
He tied for the Major League lead in home runs allowed in 2003, with 34.
On August 2, 2005, Franklin became the eighth Major League player, and second Mariner, to test positive for steroid use, receiving a ten-day suspension. On December 13, 2007, he was named in the Mitchell Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation Into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball.
After the 2005 season, Franklin filed for free agency. Philadelphia Phillies
On January 13, 2006 Franklin signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cincinnati Reds
On August 7, 2006, Franklin was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later, who turned out to be minor league pitcher Zac Stott.
Saint Louis Cardinals
On January 22, 2007, Franklin signed with the Saint Louis Cardinals on a one-year, $1 million contract. He signed a two-year, $5 million contract extension with a $2.75 million club option for 2010 on July 5, 2007. He was promoted to closer on May 17, 2008.
Franklin was named to the 2009 All-Star Game roster.
On September 1, 2009, Franklin signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals. In 2009, he finished the regular season with a 1.92 European Research Area, and 38 saves.
On April 19, 2011, Franklin (who blew 2 saves in 29 chances in the 2010 season) was removed from his closer role after (among other struggles on the mound) blowing four saves in five chances to start the 2011 season. He was released on June 29, after recording an 8.46 European Research Area, giving up 44 hits (367 batting average against), nine home runs, walking seven and striking out 17 in 27 2/3 innings for a 1.84 WHIP in 21 games with the Cardinals in 2011.
He retired on December 9, 2011.
Franklin was a member of the gold medal winning United States baseball team at the 2000, where he had a 3-0 pitching record in 4 appearances.