Christian Franklin

KC | Cubs | Arkansas Alum | #TeamSamBat

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

Contentment is the enemy of greatness

[Rochester Red Wings @RocRedWings]

Straight to work 💪

Presented by: @keybank

[caeden @caedenjharris]

The narrative that baseball is a "dying sport"... is itself dying.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is the most obvious proof yet.

Baseball is a globally competitive sport with a global audience. It is, for some time now, not solely dominated by the United States. The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Japan, Venezuela, Italy — these countries aren't token representation in the WBC, they produce some of the best players in the world. When the league's best talent is spread across that many countries, those countries' fanbases come with it.

Italy Team Captain Vinnie Pasquantino is a perfect example of baseball’s engaged audience and influence. Italy upsets the US, and then Vinnie goes off with 3 jacks against Mexico — and within days he's on Pat McAffee, Rich Eisen, and has a Starbucks partnership. Before the WBC he was only known primarily in Kansas City and MLB circles. That type of shift doesn't happen without a sport that has the audience and relevance to put someone on the map that fast.

Speaking of McAffee — the gold standard in sports media right now has been leaning into baseball for over a year. Emceeing the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta last summer, doing his show on-site in Arizona this Spring Training with Team USA before they went to Houston, taking at bats against Clayton Kershaw, now fully invested in Team USA bringing home gold and providing daily WBC coverage on his *progrum*... The traditional media doesn’t normally show baseball love like that. The fact that the hottest name in sports media is genuinely locked in is a different kind of co-sign.

The star power is there too. The league has a young core of superstars right now — outside of Ohtani andJudge, Skenes, Witt, Skubal, Guerrero Jr, Soto, Acuna, Tatis… all in their 20’s

Underrated: Paul Skenes dating Livvy Dunne — one of the biggest influencers in the country. That's the closest thing to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift that baseball currently has. That relationship puts the sport in front of an audience that has never watched an inning and probably never would have.

You see the NFL’s efforts to grow the game globally? Playing more games in more countries every year, despite the players hating it… that’s how important it is for them to capture a global audience. It’s expensive and inconvenient and they’re still doing it. The NFL may dominate US pop culture today, but they’re scrambling to tap in what is naturally a part of baseball.

This year's WBC numbers thus far: FOX averaged 2.64 million viewers for the US opener this tournament — a 78% increase from the equivalent game in 2023. The US vs. Great Britain game drew 2.98 million, the most-watched non-final WBC telecast in the event's 20-year history.

Baseball has quietly been making a comeback for a couple years and this WBC has put it on full display

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

Let’s go! Best in the game 💪🏾

[SAM BAT @SamBatCorp]

SAM BAT - 2026 good karma for Christian Franklin!!! https://t.co/Er3267Kisr via @YouTube

[SAM BAT @SamBatCorp]

SAM BAT - 2026 good karma for Christian Franklin!!! https://t.co/Er3267Kisr via @YouTube

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

🔒

[COACH PRIME @DeionSanders]

Let’s see who can go the longest without entertaining or Allowing any NEGATIVITY to come out of your mouth or amongst your circle. This year let’s start deleting & dismissing all NEGATIVITY & HATEFUL things we encounter. Positive People have Peace & Purpose. #CoachPrime

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

Do the inner work first, become the best human being you can be and everything else will fall into place. I want to be the best person I can be all around to serve God! Whatever His plan for me I trust

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

You gotta believe it before you see it!

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

I like writing my goals and dreams down so I have a direction in my life. How do you want your life to look in every area.? How would you act? What does your dream self say and do? How do they behave/carry themselves? Commit to becoming that person 24/7

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

When you put your trust is something above yourself it allows you to chase a joy that is everlasting, not short term happiness. You’re willing to sacrifice for a goal bigger than yourself. What’s your why?

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

Bout to be a magical year

[LIDOM @LIDOMRD]

¡Tremendo batazo!

Robert Moore la mandó a volar 🦅

#LIDOM #CopaBanreservas

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

You ever have dreams and aspirations so big that it makes you excited just thinking about them? Just visualizing what life is is gonna be like when you accomplish everything you want to

[Lael J Lockhart Jr @LaelJLockhartJr]

WPS @RazorbackBSB

[Minor League Baseball @MiLB]

Hey, it's Franklin! 👋

#Cubs prospect Christian Franklin earned 44% of last week's #MiLBPremierPlays voting with this diving catch for @IowaCubs!

[Christian Franklin @CF13_]

I understand it now

[MLB @MLB]

Sammy Sosa hits @Cubs camp

[Chicago Cubs @Cubs]

see you there! ☀️

[Building Champions @BCbaseballtoday]

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! Join us at the Homefield baseball camp on Friday, January 3 from 9 AM to 11 AM and train with the pros!

Spots unlimited, so act fast!

See the poster for details. See you on the field ⚾️

[Marquee Sports Network @WatchMarquee]

James Triantos and Moises Ballesteros talk hitting with Ken Griffey Jr.

#FuturesGame