Paul Goldschmidt wins D-backs’ fourth annual Luis Gonzalez Award
Sep 25, 2018, 9:09 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt looks for a sign during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sunday, Sept 9, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Tuesday that first baseman Paul Goldschmidt was the winner of the organization’s 2018 Luis Gonzalez Award.
In a release from the team, the award was described as one being given to the “player who best exemplifies the talents, spirit and heart of the D-backs legend both on and off the field, as voted by his teammates, coaches and staff members.”
It was the fourth year that the D-backs gave the Luis Gonzalez Award, and in those four years, Goldschmidt was the recipient three times. In 2016, Chris Owings was the winner.
“Paul Goldschmidt is an MVP both on the field and off,” Gonzalez said in a release. “While his talents as a player often go unnoticed by the national media, so does his approach to giving back and that is by design. He never wants the recognition or the attention but he is a true leader for our team and the community.”
He was also the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award this year, a league-wide award given to the player “who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, on and off the field.” The winner of that award will be announced during this year’s World Series.
Goldschmidt and his wife Amy have stayed involved with Phoenix Children’s Hopsital, serving as volunteers there, launching a charitable fund that supports the hospital, and getting involved in numerous fundraising events for PCH. This offseason, the Goldschmidts hosted Goldy’s Bowling Bash, which involved athletes and local celebrities. It, too, raised money for the hospital, as did the couple’s own $1 million contribution to the building of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at PCH.
Goldschmidt, 31, is a six-time All-Star and has finished in the top three of NL MVP voting three times. He also is a three-time Gold Glove Award and three-time Silver Slugger Award recipient. This season, he’s hitting .293 with 33 home runs, 83 RBI, 35 doubles and a .937 OPS.
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