Yankees $12 Million Star Logs Career First In Comeback Win

Paul Goldschmidt’s Hall of Fame case already includes MVP honors, multiple Gold Gloves, and nearly 350 career home runs. But on Sunday afternoon in the Bronx, he added something new to that resume. The 37-year-old made his first career pinch-running appearance.

And he made it count.

Goldschmidt, 37, came off the bench in the bottom of the eighth to run for Giancarlo Stanton, then scored from first on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s double to give the Yankees their first lead in a 4–2 comeback win over the Orioles.

He barely slid in under the tag.

“I was just trying to make sure I got a good jump,” Goldschmidt told reporters.  “And I’m glad I didn’t mess it up.”

It was a rare moment, but one that speaks volumes about how Goldschmidt has approached his first season in New York. Manager Aaron Boone praised the veteran for both his hustle and his willingness to buy into a rotation-heavy lineup strategy that’s meant more rest than Goldschmidt is used to.

“This is a guy in his late 30s, probably going to the Hall of Fame, not starting, pinch-running, and he’s probably going to the All-Star Game,” Boone said. “That’s humility. That is who he is.”

Goldschmidt has continued to hit this season, but Boone is working to find at-bats for Ben Rice and keep the Yankees’ lineup flexible, particularly against right-handed starters.

That balancing act also kept Anthony Volpe on the bench to start Sunday, despite snapping his 0-for-25 skid with a three-hit night on Saturday. Boone admitted he considered riding the momentum but stuck with the plan.

“We understand it’s not a perfect scenario,” Boone said. “But the thought of winning comes first.”

On Sunday, that thought was carried home on the legs of Paul Goldschmidt.