Paul Goldschmidt
| Birthdate | 9/10/1987 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 2011 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cardinals, Diamondbacks |
| Position | First Base |
Most players with a career WAR of 60+ are in the Hall of Fame; All Star, Silver Slugger, Gold Glover and MVP Paul Goldschmidt surpassed the figure in 2023.
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In Goldschmidt's first 13 big league seasons he reached the 60-WAR plateau
In Goldschmidt's first 13 big league seasons he reached the 60-WAR plateau
A player’s case for Hall of Fame election is bolstered when he reaches certain statistical milestones. For pitchers 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts are the traditional numbers. Hitters who amass 500 home runs or 3,000 hits punch their ticket to Cooperstown.
The de facto milestone number for WAR is 70. Nearly every player who has reached the plateau and is not linked to PED has gained induction.
Once a player reaches 60 WAR he becomes a legitimate Cooperstown candidate. Indeed, many solid Hall of Famers finished with less than 60 WAR. The list includes Vladimir Guerrero, Mike Piazza, Willie Stargell, George Sisler, David Ortiz and many others.
Paul Goldschmidt reached the 60-WAR mark in his first 13 big league seasons. From his first game in 2011 through the 2023 campaign, Goldy totaled 1,909 hits, 340 home runs, and 1,122 RBI. His slash line during that time was .293/.388/.519. The first baseman also posted a 143 OPS+ and 61.5 WAR.
His accolades are many. Six-straight All Star selections from 2013-2018 and a seventh in 2022 compliment his five Silver Sluggers and four Gold Glove Awards. The 2022 National League Most Valuable Player also boasts two Hank Aaron Awards.
If Goldschmidt retired at the conclusion of the 2023 campaign he’d have a strong case for baseball’s ultimate honor. Instead it appears he’s got plenty left in the tank.
Shown here is the receipt Goldschmidt signed to receive his 2015 All Star Game ring.
The Hank Aaron Award recognizes each league's top offensive man; Goldschmidt earned it in '12 & '20
The Hank Aaron Award recognizes each league's top offensive man; Goldschmidt earned it in '12 & '20
In 1999 Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the the top overall offensive performer in each league. According to MLB.com, a panel of Hall of Famers combines with a fan vote to determine the winners.
In 2022 Paul Goldschmidt became the 13th player to receive the award twice.
His first nod came in 2013. That year the Diamondbacks first baseman led the NL in homers, RBI, intentional walks, slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+. A Gold Glover and Silver Slugger that year, Goldy was the panel’s choice for the Hank Aaron Award. The AL Winner that season was Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera.
In 2022 as a Cardinal, Goldschmidt repeated as the winner. That year he slammed 35 homers, drove in 115 runs, slashed .317/.404/.578, and topped the NL in slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+.
Along with Goldy, ten men have earned the honor twice. Alex Rodriguez won it four times, Barry Bonds three times. Click here to see a list of all Hank Aaron Award recipients.
Shown here is a telegram from the day after Aaron passed the Babe Ruth to become baseball’s career home run leader. Dated April 9, 1974, it reads, “Congratulations on number 715”. Aaron has signed the bottom right of the telegram.
