SAN DIEGO -- Was that … a baguette? Did Ty France use a baguette bat to hit the latest home run in his incredible bounceback season?
Oui, oui.
France’s remarkable 2026 campaign continued against his former club on Friday night, as the Padres cruised to a 6-2 victory over the Twins at Petco Park. France reached base three times, including a go-ahead two-run homer in the first -- his 18th of the season and the 99th of his career.
And he did so with a bat painted like a French baguette -- and a handle mimicking the French flag. Fitting. He’s been the bread and butter of this Padres offense at times this season.
France said that every year a representative from his bat company, Victus, asks if he’d like anything specific for MLB Players’ Weekend.
“I just tell him to make it French themed,” France said. “This is what he cooked up.”
An .872 OPS -- and postgame-interview puns?!
Right now, France is on a roll.
The bats and the gear are mostly just for fun, France says. Although, if you were wondering … yes, he has been to France. And he says he loved the time he spent in Paris on a trip with his wife a few offseasons ago.
It would’ve made sense if France was perhaps a bit reluctant to change bats at this time of year. He’s hitting .293/.351/.521, crediting a few minor mechanical tweaks. In his 101 games with Minnesota last season, France’s OPS was nearly 200 points lower. It was only after his midseason trade to Toronto that France’s turnaround began.
The Padres scooped him up on a Minor League deal. He made the club during Spring Training and hasn’t looked back, asserting himself as the cleanup hitter in an offense full of superstars.
“I’m just feeling like the old Ty again,” France said. “Which is nice.”