[1] Franklin graduated from Centennial High School in Compton, California, and attended Los Angeles City College.
In his finest season, 1973 with the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the Eastern League, Franklin batted .267 with 27 extra base hits in 116 games.
As a player, he was a switch hitter who threw right-handed, and stood 5'10" (178 cm) tall, who weighed 165 pounds (75 kg).
After managing lower-level Cub affiliates for five seasons, Franklin moved to the Chicago White Sox farm system, and eventually reached the Double-A level with the 1991–92 Birmingham Barons.
In January 2015, the Yankees named Al Pedrique manager of the 2015 Thunder, but noted that Franklin will remain in the Bombers' organization.