The Trenton Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance Group, are proud to announce that former Manager Tony Franklin’s number will be retired prior to the team's 7pm game against the State College Spikes on June 17th.
This is just the 4th time in franchise history that the Thunder have retired numbers of former players and coaching staff after Tony Clark in 1997, Nomar Garciaparra in 1998, and David Eckstein in 2013. Jackie Robinson's #42 is retired across all of baseball.
“I spent 50 years in baseball, but the 8 years in Trenton were the perfect fit for me,” Thunder’s longest tenured manger Tony Franklin said Friday. “Everything fell into place when I came to the community, being able to coach all the great players that came through the Thunder organization along with the atmosphere of the fans. It is an honor for me to have my number next to some of the great players to come through Trenton but also to be next to #42, Jackie Robinson.”
Franklin is the longest tenured manager in Thunder history and led the Thunder to three of their four EL championships: 2007, 2008 and 2013. Overall, the Thunder made the playoffs five times in eight seasons under Franklin and he became the winningest manager in Eastern League history with 635 victories. His 2013 team became the first team since 1991 to go undefeated in postseason play.
“Tony is an important part of Thunder history and I’m thrilled we will award him the highest honor we can before a game this summer,” said Thunder President/GM Jeff Hurley. “Retiring his number here at Trenton Thunder Ballpark solidifies his place as a member of the Thunder family.”
Franklin was named the 2012 Eastern League Manager of the Year and he guided the Thunder to the best record in the league (83-59) in 2010. Four times in his tenure, Franklin served as a coach at the All-Star Futures Game; 2007 in San Francisco, 2008 in St. Louis, 2010 in Anaheim and 2012 in Kansas City.
Tony Franklin’s Number Retirement Ceremony will take place before the Thunder’s Friday, June 17th game. Single Game Tickets to the 2022 Thunder season go on sale Tuesday, April 7th at 10am at TrentonThunder.com. For partnership/sponsorship opportunities, and information about special events at Trenton Thunder Ballpark, please visit trentonthunder.com or call the Thunder Box Office at (609) 394-3300, opt 4.
New Jersey's Baseball Team | Founding Member of the MLB Draft League
The Trenton Thunder have drawn over 10 million fans over 28 years and have won the three major awards that Minor League Baseball teams can win; the Johnson Trophy for the "Nation's Best Franchise" (2005), the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion (2003) and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (1998, given by Baseball America). The team has given back over $7.5 million worth of goods, services, and monetary donations through Trenton Thunder Charities, under the Grand Slam We Care Foundation umbrella. The Thunder can be found online at trentonthunder.com, facebook.com/trentonthunder, twitter.com/trentonthunder, and on youtube.com/AATrentonThunder.
