'Dripping in humility': From leadoff to leader, Goldschmidt boosting Yanks

DETROIT – First baseman Paul Goldschmidt has made a big impact in the early stages of his first season with the Yankees. He’s leading New York with a .383 batting average after Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the Tigers, and he has been one of the club’s most dependable players and visible leaders.

After going 2-for-5 with a double in the finale, Goldschmidt was 7-for-13 (.538) in the three-game series at Comerica Park.

Goldschmidt signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the Yankees on Dec. 30 after a 14-year career with the D-backs and Cardinals that included the 2022 National League MVP Award, seven All-Star teams and four NL Gold Gloves.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone and outfielder Aaron Judge beamed when asked about him.

What does Boone know now about Goldschmidt that he didn’t know as an opposing manager?

“I guess it’s just probably confirmed some things,” Boone said. “I mean, he’s such a pro. His preparation. His attention to detail. His professionalism is off the charts.

“Then you look at him. This guy is probably on his way to the Hall of Fame, and he’s dripping in humility. The message with me is ‘whatever I need from him.’ It’s no, ‘I want to hit here…I want to play here.’ If it’s a day off, he’s ready. [He’s] going to play well for us between the lines but is going to elevate our room, too.”

Goldschmidt credited his parents, David and Kim Goldschmidt, with keeping him humble.

“They taught me almost everything I know and are such great people,” he said. “I’m trying to remember their words of wisdom and make them proud every day.”

The right-handed hitter has done well in the leadoff spot, batting .414 in seven starts there despite never batting there previously in the Majors. What does Boone like about having the power hitter with decent speed at the top of the lineup?

“Just against lefties, it’s the way I’ve gone,” Boone said. “And even some righties that are kind of reverse. Just to create a little balance in our lineup. We’re pretty left-handed, so, it gets him that extra at-bat potentially against a lefty…He’s done a great job there.”

"{Batting leadoff is] something I hadn’t done before, but, for me, I just try to take a normal at-bat," Goldschmidt said. "I didn’t want to try to overthink it or do anything different. So, every time I get in the box, I just try to have a good at-bat and hit the ball hard, and hopefully, good things will happen.”

“For him to hit three or four his whole life and come over here and say, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ll lead off the game,’ [is great]," Judge said. "And he loves it.”

Has Judge, who turns 33 on April 26, enjoyed learning from and collaborating with Goldschmidt, 37?

“Oh, big-time,” Judge said. “Like I said to him, ‘If I’m hitting in front of you or you’re hitting in front of me, if I strike out, I may look mad, but ask me. Ask me what I’m seeing, and I’ll tell you what I’m seeing [from the pitcher].' Communication is big, and a little information like that goes a long way.

“He’s great with his approach. He’s always asking questions. He’s always trying to learn. I’m like, ‘Man, you’ve been doing this for how many years and you’re still trying to get better?’ We’re very lucky to have him. Coming over here, he wanted to win. That was the main thing, and there are a lot of good teams, but he feels like New York is giving him his best chance to win.”

“[I get] to play with one of the best hitters on the planet, one of the best leaders, just trying to continue to pick his brain and learn from him," Goldschmidt said of Judge. "He’s great. He’s a great role model for everyone in the clubhouse and all the kids watching.”

Leadership is a big part of what Goldschmidt brings, too.

“I just always tried to learn from the people around me,” he said. “There’s a lot of great people here, and I’m just trying to do my part.”

Goldschmidt has 2,074 career hits with 363 homers and 1,190 RBIs. However, he batted just .245 last season, with 33 doubles, 22 homers and 65 RBIs in 599 at-bats, so the vet doesn’t want to make too much of his strong start.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “So, I just keep it simple, get in there and get a good at-bat. But it’s been nice to get some hits, find some holes. Hopefully, I just keep going.”