In 2000, he began the season in Triple-A, and then decided (with club permission) to not play in MLB during September in order to participate in the Olympics.

During those Olympics in Sydney, he and his teammates won a gold medal, defeating Cuba 4–0 in the title game.

After missing the 2000 season in the big leagues, Franklin posted a strong spring training and won a job in the Mariners bullpen, appearing in 38 games.

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.

[6] He was released on June 29, after recording an 8.46 ERA,[7] 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.

Franklin was a member of the gold medal-winning Team USA at the 2000 Olympics, where he had a 3–0 pitching record in four appearances.

[citation needed] His nephew, Kohl, is a professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization.

[9] On August 2, 2005, Franklin became the eighth MLB player, and second Mariner, to test positive for steroid use, receiving a 10-day suspension.