Ty France shattered a longstanding franchise record in Seattle Mariners history Friday night when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning during his team’s 10–9 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
It marked the 90th time France was hit by a pitch over his five years in Seattle, dethroning former designated hitter Edgar Martinez, who was hit by a pitch 89 times across 2,055 games in a Mariners uniform. France only took 534 games to reach 90 HBP.
To properly honor the moment, the Mariners’ social media team prepared a special graphic depicting France grimacing as he was about to get beaned by a baseball.
That indeed left a mark. pic.twitter.com/nK5slT5wcW
France has led the big leagues in HBP twice in his career, getting beaned 27 times in 2021 and 34 times in ’23. He has been hit by six pitches in 61 games so far this season.
France currently sits in 107th place in MLB history on the HBP leaderboard with 98 (he was hit by eight pitches while playing for the San Diego Padres from 2019 to ’20). France has some painful work to do to climb that leaderboard, as he chases all-time HBP leader Hughie Jennings, who was beaned 287 times across 1,284 games from 1891 to 1918.
MLB fans loved the Mariners’ funny graphic:
this is one of the funniest graphics i ever seen https://t.co/2DDHkddet3
we are so serious tho
death, taxes, ty france hbp
W graphics team
France and the Mariners return to the field at 4:10 p.m. ET Saturday to continue their series against the Royals.
TOM DIERBERGER
Tom is a writer and editor for the Breaking & Trending News Team at Sports Illustrated. In the industry since 2016, Tom joined Sports Illustrated in 2023 after working with FOX Sports, Bally Sports, and NBC Sports. Off the clock, Tom can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.
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