Paul Goldschmidt’s baseball legacy, accolades aren’t front of mind

Former Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is known for his humility and quiet demeanor.

Goldschmidt, now with the St. Louis Cardinals after a trade in the December of 2018, joined Arizona Sports’ Doug & Wolf for Legends Week. Even the moniker of the week, “legends,” might make Goldschmidt squirm in his seat when he hears it. He doesn’t pursue attention or notoriety.

So it makes sense that he went off the beaten path when asked whether he cares about his baseball legacy.

“Nah. I mean, somewhat, but not really in the terms I think most people are thinking,” Goldschmidt said Friday. “Last year, coming back to Arizona, I think the thing that stuck with me, number one, the fans and how great they were and so welcoming. But I think just seeing all my teammates and people that I played with and maybe even guys in the clubhouse and employees of the Diamondbacks, maybe security or people who worked in the stands, I think those relationships and those memories, that’s what will probably stick with me the most.”

Goldschmidt’s first year in the big leagues, 2011, came as the D-backs were in the playoff race, and they eventually made it to the NLDS to face the Milwaukee Brewers. That year, he played alongside infielders Geoff Blum and Willie Bloomquist as well as closer J.J. Putz, three of the most seasoned veterans on the team.

Putz and Bloomquist now work in the Diamondbacks’ front office.

“Trying to treat everyone the right way and having an impact on them, just as the guys who had an impact on us,” Goldschmidt said of the legacy he pursues. “I had a chance to tell Geoff Blum how much of an impact he had on me, and I don’t think he even realized it, and Willie and J.J. as well. I think a guy saying, ‘Hey man, you really helped me my rookie year, I loved that conversation,’ or, ‘You were here for me then,’ That will stick with me more than, ‘Hey, I had this many hits or home runs’ or whatever it may be.”

Goldschmidt, compared to what he’s done in the past, had a “down” year in his first season in St. Louis. Still, he hit .260 with 34 home runs and 97 RBIs to go along with an .821 OPS. Previously, he’s finished in the top 10 in NL MVP voting four times, was runner-up twice and led the league in home runs, RBIs and OPS in 2013. He’s also made six All-Star appearances.

If those kind of accolades continue, along with some luck and maybe some playoff success, Goldschmidt’s case for the Hall of Fame would grow. But, to nobody’s surprise, that recognition isn’t something that drives Goldschmidt.

“No. I mean if that happens, that’d be the longest thing on my mind,” he said. “Those guys that have done it are so amazing, I’m not even in that same breath. So I just try to go out there and do the best I can, and whatever happens, if that happens — even other accolades, like a Silver Slugger Award or All-Star Games, I was never like, ‘Alright, I’m going to go out there and make the All-Star team this year.’

“It’s just kind of, ‘Hey I want to play well, and I want to help us win, and if I do that to the best of my ability, then there’s a good chance I could make the All-Star team or win the Silver Slugger or whatever it may be. But that was never the focus. That was kind of just the result.”

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