Paul Goldschmidt left out of World Baseball Classic lineup, internet is confused

Why did United States manager Jim Leyland start Eric Hosmer over Paul Goldschmidt in the World Baseball Classic semifinals against Japan?

BY HABOOB BLOG

Mar 21, 2017, 6:46 PM Updated: 9:31 pm

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United States' Paul Goldschmidt (44) scores on a hit by Giancarlo Stanton as Jonathan Lucroy (25) greets him at the plate during the sixth inning in a first-round game against the Dominican Republic, in the World Baseball Classic, Saturday, March 11, 2017, in Miami. The Dominican Republic won 7-5. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Fact #1: Paul Goldschmidt is on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster because he’s considered a top-5 first baseman in MLB.

Fact #2: The United States entered a semifinals matchup on Tuesday facing Japan and vying for a finals berth against Puerto Rico.

Seems like Fact #1 could be applied to control the result of Fact #2.

Well, when the lineup card was revealed before the 2-1 win by Team USA — the Americans make their first WBC Final — it turned out Goldschmidt, a very good first baseman, was not listed. Eric Hosmer, who hit a game-winning homer six days prior and is also pretty good, was starting at first base.

This hasn’t been uncommon during the World Baseball Classic, but it came to a head on Tuesday.

You know because — with all respect to Hosmer — Goldschmidt is considered better at the sport of baseball. One bit of evidence to support that: In Wins Above Replacement, Goldschmidt recorded a 4.8 in a relative down year to Hosmer’s 1.0 last season.

Paul Goldschmidt career WAR: 26.3
Eric Hosmer career WAR: 5.6

Goldy was more valuable in 2015 than Hosmer's entire career.

— Adam Bernstorf (@AdamBernstorf) March 22, 2017

Now, it’s always possible the Diamondbacks perhaps have asked Team USA to limit Goldschmidt’s action. Arizona has been mighty cautious this spring in terms of making sure there aren’t even minor dings to deal with on Opening Day.

Still, baseball fans and baseball reporters were wondering why USA manager Jim Leyland didn’t write Goldschmidt into the lineup in the semifinal.

Goldschmidt, who didn’t even pinch hit, was interviewed in the middle of the game when he had nothing better to do, and that only stirred up more of the questions.

Goldschmidt, "I love not playing"

— ANDY (@AndyInSunnyDB) March 22, 2017

GOLDSCHMIDT, BLINK TWICE IF THEY'RE HOLDING YOU AGAINST YOUR WILL

— Beyond the Box Score (@BtBScore) March 22, 2017

Phew, Goldschmidt isn't dead!

— Sarah W. (@toasterposey) March 22, 2017

breaking news: paul goldschmidt has made an appearance on TV and he isn't dead. leyland just made the dumb decision not to start him.

— maddie (@kyIehendricks) March 22, 2017

"Let's interview Paul Goldschmidt, who has literally nothing to do with anything"

— Shane (@shanehall31) March 22, 2017

Don't know.
Do know Goldy is best in world at 1b in hitting. And fielding.
Oh, and baserunning. https://t.co/voyfYufLwv

— Brian Kenny (@MrBrianKenny) March 22, 2017

Here are tweets from prior to the game, when people were worried Goldschmidt was not alive.

THis is not Grant. This is Paul Goldschmidt. I have hacked into this account because I'm being held in a room beneath the stadium. Please h

— Grant Brisbee (@mccoveychron) March 22, 2017

Stanton 8th! Hosmer over Goldschmidt! The WBC could use USA having a manager that makes people think the games actually matter.

— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) March 21, 2017

At least Milano cookies, when failing to recognize the team's best players, would provide a delicious chocolately taste while doing it.

— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) March 21, 2017

Good job by Jim Leyland of finding another way to fill out his lineup card without Paul Goldschmidt or Daniel Murphy in it. #why?

— Desipio.com (@desipiodotcom) March 22, 2017

You know those moments when you look around and think, "Why am I here?"

I'm gonna start calling that a Goldschmidt.

— Shane (@shanehall31) March 22, 2017

Why is Paul Goldschmidt not playing…..

— Barstool Baseball (@BarstoolBB) March 22, 2017

"Hosmer starting over Goldschmidt again?" pic.twitter.com/eDJ0VDGm8x

— Randall J. Sanders (@RandallJSanders) March 22, 2017

Did Paul Goldschmidt get eaten by wolves? https://t.co/jpjF6TALUl

— Kelvin (@OnBaseUnit) March 22, 2017

With that being said… why the hell isnt Paul Goldschmidt starting? https://t.co/OYZ3Ikr17q

— Jake Berry (@berrys_baseball) March 22, 2017

There is no reason Eric Hosmer should be in the lineup instead of Paul Goldschmidt in a semifinal

— Sportz With Sponz (@SportzWithSponz) March 22, 2017