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| #15 Paul Goldschmidt |
First impression of
what’s going on: It looks like Paul Goldschmidt definitely just hit a bomb, but it’s hard
to tell from his reaction whether it cleared the fence or is going to end up in
the outfielder's glove. It may look like a simple follow through, but I agree
with whoever collects the cards with nameplates and/or the jersey number from
the player’s back. This one is pretty cool looking. And not to mention, it is a
heck of an accomplishment by the photographer to capture it mid-action when you have a long
name like Goldschmidt.
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 03: Paul Goldschmidt #44 of the Arizona Diamondbacks plays during a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on May 3, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
The Reality of the
Photo: Hmmm, another game at Petco Park. Between the Padres and Rockies,
they seem to be involved in a lot of the cards I’ve featured so far. But before
you think the Padres are what link yesterday's card to today's, I had no idea the
Padres were the opponent when I selected it. So stayed tuned for the
connection.
You know what? I was so impressed with the nameplate thing,
I didn’t even really notice the tight cropping on the photo for the card. I
don’t even mind that the right arm is missing as much as I could have used a
little bit more space to the left of the bat. Nitpicky, I know. Especially when
I’ve already praised the photo used.
There’s no clarification as to whether this was a home run
or even the outcome of the game, so let’s go to the BOXSCORE.
Looks like the Padres held off a late rally by the
Diamondbacks. Let’s see if Goldschmidt tried to play the one man hero like
Everth Cabrera did yesterday.
Eh. No RBI’s or runs, so this photo wasn’t of a home run
like I originally thought. So it’s either his “regular” hit or his out, as its
unlikely with his eye line that it’s a foul ball during one of his walks.
He walked in the first, stole second base but was stranded
there.
Ouch. In third, he hit a bloop to right field that was
caught and then Martin Prado was doubled off first. That doesn’t look like the
eye line of a bloop. Or to right field. Hope that’s not it.
He walked again in the fifth only to get caught in an inning
ending double play by the next batter.
Finally in the 8th inning, Goldschmidt singled
with a line drive to center field. It is still doesn’t look like the eye line
of a single, but it definitely looks like a center field shot. Guess it wasn’t
definitely a bomb like I declared earlier.
On to the back:
Rookie Fact: Paul’s late tie-breaking triple on 9/23/11
clinched the NL West Division.
On one hand, that’s kind of cool, especially for a rookie.
There was probably some champagne flowing the locker room and everybody was
having a good time. On the other, here are the standings before the game:
The Diamondbacks had a 6 game lead so it’s not like they
clinched on the last day of the season or against the second place Giants. And
the hit wasn’t a walk-off or anything. Maybe that’s just the jaded Cubs fan in
me, because I would certainly celebrate any time the Cubs clinched. I mean, it's not like the Giants were the defending World Series champions and future 2012 world champs.....oh....
And Goldschmidt only played 48 games in 2011, so maybe that was the highlight of his rookie season.
As opposed to 2013. Finally we get to the connection to
yesterday’s card, the red font reading League Leader in Italics, ◊.
Not only was Goldschmidt an All-Star and Silver Slugger
winner for 1st Base, he led the NL in RBIs, Slugging and OPS, while
tying for Home Runs. And he got exactly 0 first place MVP votes. What?!?
Sure, he ended up in second place (behind Andrew McCutchen),
but not a single 1st place vote? It’s not like McCutchen was a
unanimous selection. Yadier Molina got two first place votes and ended up in third
place. I live in Virginia, but even I’m shouting East Coast Bias on this one. The
Diamondbacks must have been worse as a team than I remembered last year.
Information I’ll be tracking:
Card Number: #15
Player Name: Paul
Goldschmidt
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks
Position: First
Base
Game Date: May 3,
2013
Opponent: San
Diego Padres
Stadium: Petco
Park
Division: National
League West
Home/Away: Away
Outcome of the game:
7-6, Padres over the Diamondbacks, Loss for the player depicted
Alternate/Throwback Jersey:
No
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Birthdate: 9/10/1987
Birthplace: Delaware
Cameos by: N/A
Photographer: Denis
Poroy
Niche collections
this card could fit into: Nameplate, League Leader in Italics
My Grade: There
aren't a lot of niches for this card but I’m still impressed by the nameplate
thing. Maybe I feel a little bad for him because he missed out on some MVP
voting too, because I going to give this card a B+.
