Paul Goldschmidt

Paul Goldschmidt's Biography

Paul Edward Goldschmidt, born on September 10, 1987, and fondly referred to as “Goldy”, is a well-accomplished American professional baseball player. Principally a first baseman, Goldschmidt plays for the St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball (MLB). In addition, he has honorably represented the United States in international competitions.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Goldschmidt demonstrated an early affinity for baseball. Growing up in The Woodlands, Texas, he became a regular player for The Woodlands High School. Consequently, he secured a positive prospect to play college baseball for the Texas State Bobcats. Despite his humble beginnings, Goldschmidt escalated his skills, earning recognition as the Southland Conference hitter of the year in 2008 and 2009.

In the 2009 MLB Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks identified Goldschmidt’s potential and selected him in the eighth round. His initial exposure to professional baseball came in 2011 when he debuted with the Diamondbacks. In a strategic maneuver by the team, Goldschmidt was traded to the Cardinals during the 2018-2019 offseason.

Throughout his career, Goldschmidt has distinguished himself as an esteemed athlete. A seven-time MLB All-Star, he managed to secure the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2022, amongst various other accolades. Despite being renowned for his competitive prowess, he never lost his humility or connection to his roots, attributes likely instilled from his upbringing.

Navigating the MLB, Goldschmidt quickly established himself as a commanding presence, with the 2011 season marking his first home run. Throughout the seasons, Goldschmidt has showcased his batting prowess, leading the NL in home runs and runs batted in (RBI) in 2013. This impressive achievement further fueled his reputation as a standout player, resulting in his selection as an All-Star for the first time and receiving several esteemed awards.

Goldschmidt’s journey has not been uninterrupted, with injuries proving an occasional deterrent. Notably, an injury in 2014 resulted in a premature close to his season. Even so, he bounced back with invigorated dedication, achieving his 100th career home run in 2015. This marked his position as the sixth-highest in the Diamondbacks’ all-time home run list. Subsequent seasons continued to showcase his determination and talent, with the 2017 season toning up to be a significant year for Goldschmidt as he achieved his 1,000th career hit.

While Goldschmidt’s performance on the field is noteworthy, his off-field life is equally intriguing, as it paints the picture of Goldschmidt the person, rather than Goldschmidt the athlete. Born to parents David and Kim, who met at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Goldschmidt grew up with two younger siblings in a Catholic household despite his father’s Jewish heritage. His early life saw several relocations, including from Wilmington to Dallas, and finally, to Houston.

Though a celebrated player for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Goldschmidt became a part of the St. Louis Cardinals, following a trade agreement in 2018. Undeterred by his transition, he readily demonstrated his capabilities for his new team. This culminated in a grand performance against the Milwaukee Brewers, where he hit three home runs, thus marking history by becoming the first player to achieve this feat in his first or second game with a new team.

Goldschmidt shows no signs of slowing down, even nearing a decade and a half into his professional career. A recent highlight came in 2019, when Goldschmidt and the Cardinals secured a five-year contract extension, marking the largest deal in team history. Despite his numerous accolades, including a slew of awards and consistently high statistics, it’s Goldschmidt’s dedication and consistent performance that positions him as one of the most respected figures in modern baseball.