Banner year for Franklin

With the 2009 All-Star Game approaching, Ryan Franklin is having a banner pitching season for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Franklin, who grew up in Spiro, pitched for Seminole State College and presently makes his home in Shawnee, has been a major player in the Cardinals’ 40-34 record and first-place standing in the National League’s Central Division.
The 36-year-old Franklin has earned 17 saves in 18 save opportunities while going 1-0.
In 27 innings of action, Franklin has amassed a team-best 1.00 earned run average. He has surrendered only three earned runs, permitted 19 hits and fanned 20.
Only two Cardinal hurlers have earned run averages below 2.00.
All 26 of Franklin’s game appearances have been in relief. He has walked just five batters and permitted two home runs.
Franklin, who broke into the major leagues in 1999 with the Seattle Mariners, has also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. He has been with the Cardinals since 2007.
After graduating from
Spiro in 1991, Franklin moved on to Seminole State, where he compiled a 20-0 won-loss record over a two-year period.
He inked his initial professional contract on May 21, 1993 with the Seattle Mariners. A right-hander, Franklin made his big-league debut May 15, 1999 with the Mariners. He was with the Seattle organization until 2006 when he saw action with both the Phillies and the Reds.
In 74 apperances in 2008, Franklin notched a 6-6 record with a 3.55 earned run average. In 78 2/3 innings, he allowed 86 hits and chalked up 17 saves.
As a member of the U.S. baseball squad that took the gold medal in the 2000 Olympics, Franklin excelled. In four pitching appearances, he compiled a 3-0 record.