ATLANTA (Jan. 2, 2010) — Julio Franco, who, at the age of 48, became the oldest regular-playing non-pitcher in major-league baseball history, has chosen Bob Welch to write his new book. Welch visited again with Franco at his home in Lighthouse Point, Fla., in late January. It will be Welch’s 13th book.

    NEW YORK (Dec. 1, 2009) — Joseph Shoham, the dentist/cook of the 45th Field Hospital who provided so much rich detail for Welch’s book, American Nightingale, died. He was 94.