Mexico City.– Julio Franco is finally calling it a career. The 49-year-old has retired from baseball, according to a report on The Seattle Times' web site Saturday.

Franco, who played 23 major league seasons, reportedly made the announcement Wednesday to his Mexican League team - the Quintana Roo Tigers.

"It was the hardest decision in my life," Franco said in an interview published Saturday by Mexican sports daily Record. "I always said I would be the first one to know the exact moment.

"I think the numbers speak for themselves, the production speaks and this is the right moment. I understand that my time has passed and the great men and athletes know when to say enough."

Franco last played in the majors in 2007, when he participated in a combined 55 games between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves.

He batted .222 with 16 RBI, creating headlines with his lone home run –a blast that made him the oldest player to hit a homer in the majors.

The Dominican, who played with eight teams during his career in the majors, retires with a .298 average, 2,586 hits and 173 home runs. The three-time All-Star played in 31 postseason games but never won a World Series.