Despite career year, France still trying to prove he belongs

SAN DIEGO -- Ty France cemented his place in postseason baseball lore by being robbed of a home run during Game 1 of the National League Division Series in a way so unique, who knows if we will see it again.

A cable on the roof, really?

France could have wallowed in disappointment. He could have dwelled on the replays of the ball plopping into left fielder Jackson Chourio’s glove. He could have taken a deflated attitude into Game 2 the next day at American Family Field.

"It was everywhere,” France said. “So it is what it is. It's baseball."

Succumbing to adversity isn’t part of France’s makeup. The eight-year veteran made it this far with a chip on his shoulder; why would his perseverance change now?

“I feel like that kind of stems all the way back from when I was 12, 13 years old,” France said. “I've kind of always been the underdog in my career and had to, every single step of the way, prove that I belonged.”

France, 32, was a 34th-round pick by the Padres in 2015 out of San Diego State. He debuted in 2019, was traded to the Mariners in ’20, then dealt to the Reds in ’24.

France signed with the Twins in 2025, and he was sent to the Blue Jays that July.

In February, France returned to San Diego on a Minor League deal. Despite winning the Gold Glove Award at first base the previous season, he had to earn his spot during camp. He made the Opening Day roster.

“[My perspective] was, come into Spring Training and win a job and kind of play with a chip on my shoulder and prove that I belong in this league,” said France. “I kind of never lost that this year. I used it as fuel all year. I'm very grateful and fortunate it all worked out and I was able to make the team and be productive and help the team win this year.”

France made quite the ascension this season, from a defensive replacement who saw at-bats against left-handers to the Padres' cleanup hitter. He belted a career-high 21 home runs and slashed .295/.363/.502 with .865 OPS in 133 games.

France led the Padres (minimum of 450 plate appearances) in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS. Among all National League players (min. 450 PA), France ranked eighth overall in OPS. He trailed only Pete Crow-Armstrong (.943), Juan Soto (.908), James Wood (.891), Shohei Ohtani (.889), Elly De La Cruz (.880), Gabriel Moreno (.874) and Jake Bauers (.874).

At first base, France recorded a .997 fielding percentage in 1,030 1/3 innings. His eight outs above average (OAA) ranked in the 93rd percentile overall.

“He solidified our first base there and made us a really elite defense,” said third baseman Manny Machado. “The presence that he brings, the character he is, the person he is, he's an unbelievable teammate. So for him to come back here and have the [historic] year, career year for himself, it's awesome to see. It's awesome to be a part of.”

Knowing France’s persona, manager Craig Stammen was confident that the slugger would shake off Game 1 when he penciled him into the lineup again for Game 2.

“Ty's a very even-keeled type of person,” Stammen said after the game. “In fact, he's probably the one joking around the dugout the most. That's his personality. That's how he stays focused.”

France put the Padres on the board first with a line-drive RBI single off Logan Henderson in the first inning. In the seventh, he tacked on another run with an RBI single to right field.

With the Padres trying to cling to a one-run lead in the ninth inning, France made an impressive scoop to pick shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ throw and nab Garrett Mitchell for the first out.

“We had [Eric] Hosmer over there [at first base] at the time [in 2019], so he kind of didn't have anywhere to play,” Machado recounted. “But we knew the bat was there, always. Now we fast-forward a couple years, and here he is again showing what we knew he was, and you see it this year.”

Asked if he was relieved to see the roof open for Game 2, France said it didn’t matter either way.

“The chances of that happening twice are very slim,” he noted matter-of-factly.

Spoken like a veteran who has learned that successes and disappointments do not define the next day at the ballpark. His outlook at the beginning of the series rings true as the Padres return home for Game 3 on Tuesday, looking to fend off elimination.

“I don't think you can ever think [you made it] or become complacent because this game will humble you super fast,” France said. “I've gone through my set of challenges the last couple of years. … Even when you do play with a chip on your shoulder, this game is hard, and it will beat you up. Find a way to enjoy it and make it fun. This is an unbelievable environment, and to be able to sit here on this podium, it's very gratifying.

“But the work's not done.”