It’s hard to imagine where the New York Yankees would be in the standings if not for veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
When baseball fans talk about the Yankees, such prominent names as outfielder Aaron Judge, first baseman/DH Ben Rice, DH Giancarlo Stanton and starting pitcher Cam Schlitter are what come to mind as key to the team’s success.
As the calendar inches towards the 2026 All-Star break, star Yankee players such as Judge, Stanton, and outfielder Trent Grisham have all been sidelined for long stretches due to injury, but unbelievably, that hasn’t stopped the Yankees from finding themselves on Monday, June 29th, only 1 game behind the Tampa Bay Rays for first in the American League East Division,
A big reason for the team’s success has been the play of Goldschmidt, who, in his second year as a Yankee, has been turning back the clock.
Goldschmidt Turning Back the Clock in New York
Goldy Playing A Vital Role In Yankees First Half Success
Goldschmidt, who is 38 years-old, and a four-time NL Gold Glove Award winner, has this season quietly gone about his business by hitting for a .291 average with 59 hits, 14 home runs and 40 RBI’s while of course playing his usual stellar defense at first.
It’s safe to say that if not for his strong first-half production, the Yankees would be a middle-of-the-pack team fighting for a wild card position.
Last season, the man affectionately known as ‘Goldy,’ had an average campaign, finishing with a .274 batting average with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. There was no guarantee that he would be back for a second season in pin-stripes until back in early February, when Goldschmidt signed a one-year 4 million dollar contract with the Yankees to play in what would be his 16th MLB season.
Before re-signing with the Yankees, Goldschmidt was told and accepted the fact that you wouldn’t be playing full-time. This was something he accepted but as things turned out, his lethal bat has basically forced Yankees manager Aaron Boone to play him more.
“I don’t think there was a sales pitch,” Goldschmidt said about re-signing with New York. “I just loved these guys. I enjoyed even the times last year when I wasn’t playing, and that’ not always the case. Even the beginning of this year, I wasn’t playing that much, but I was still having so much fiun showing up ever day with guys.”
Reflecting on the consistent play and veteran leadership that he provides, it’s easy to see that the Yankees best off-season move came on that February 12th 2026 day when they went ahead and re-signed this future Hall of Famer.
Putting Together An MLB First Ballot Hall of Fame CareerÂ
Goldschmidt, who was drafted in the 2009 MLB draft eighth round, 246th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, would go on great achievements playing for the Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals and of course presently the Yankees.
Not only has “Goldy” produced 2,249 hits, 386 home runs, 1.273 RBIs, 175 stolen bases and a .288 batting average in his career, but Goldschmidt has also put together an impressive Hall of Fame resume which includes being a seven time All-Star (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022),
winning four NL First Baseman Gold Gloves (2013, 2015, 2017 and 2021), five silver slugger awards, two time winner of the NL Hank Aaron Award (2013, 2022), and in 2022 when playing for the Cardinals he hit .317 with 35 home runs, 41 doubles and 115 RBIs in winning the NL MVP.
Back in May, against the Toronto Blue Jays, Goldschmidt made some baseball history when in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, this slugger hit career home run number 377 which leap-frogged him past Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk and into a neck and neck tie with Norm Cash and another Hall of Famer in Jeff Kent for 79th spot on the all-time MLB Homerun list.
So far this year, Goldschmidt is showing no signs of slowing down and could even perhaps play another couple more seasons and when it’s all said and done end up with over 400 career home runs and 2,500 hits.
Continuing His Dominance Against Detroit Tiger Ace Pitcher Tarik Skubal
For some reason, Goldschmidt has always hit well against Detroit Tigers ace starting southpaw pitcher Tarik Skubal.
Skubal, who as all baseball fans know is a dominant starter, had recently a rough time against Goldschmidt who in a recent 4-2 win at Comerica Park, hit two home runs off the starter during a 4-2 Yankees win.
Unbelievably, this was not the first time that “Goldy” hit two-home runs off of Skubal in a game. One would have to go all the way back to August 25, 2021, when Goldschmidt once again put on a power display in hitting two round trippers against Skubal during a 3-2 extra inning Cardinals win at Busch Stadium against the Tigers.
In his career Goldschmidt owns a .538 batting average (7-for-13) and 4 home runs which ties him with Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez for most home runs hit off of Skubal.
It’s been quite the career for Goldschmidt who continues to show the baseball world that he still has lots to offer and that’s a big reason why the Yankees find themselves fighting it out with the Rays to win the AL East Division as opposed to stuck in mediocracy miles out of a playoff spot.
Once his career is over, it won’t be long until Goldschmidt gets that call to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
