"He didn't make himself out to be Mr. Padre or the face of San Diego. He was Coach Gwynn and he was there to help you ge Via @MLBNetwork on X

What happened: France said the late Hall of Famer set aside his “Mr. Padre” stature to help players improve and reach the next level.

Why it matters: France is the last active major leaguer coached by Gwynn, carrying that influence into the 2026 season.

By the numbers: France has a 509 slugging percentage in 2026.

What to watch: France's production through the remainder of the regular season is the next point to watch.

Sources