Paul Goldschmidt's hustle play vs Diamondbacks leaves Yankees fans dreaming

Modified Apr 04, 2025 05:52 GMT

MLB: Spring Training-Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Yankees - Source: Imagn — Paul Goldschmidt's hustle play vs Diamondbacks leaves Yankees fans dreaming - Source: Imagn

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt showed hustle during Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. During the ninth inning, a groundout from Corbin Carroll required Goldschmidt to rush towards first base and secure the first out of the inning in what eventually turned to be a 9-7 win.

This play sends Yankees fans dreaming with what-if scenarios, lamenting their World Series loss against the LA Dodgers last year.

Expand Tweet

A dubious play from first baseman Anthony Rizzo and Gerrit Cole resulted in the Dodgers getting a head start in the fifth inning of the World Series Game 5. The Dodgers went on to score five runs in the inning to tie the game. Eventually, they would take the lead and win the game and the MLB Commissioner's Trophy with a 7-6 win.

Thursday's hustle play from Paul Goldschmidt covering first instead of Rizzo prompted speculations among fans about what if the former NL MVP was their first base in the postseason.

"Yankees win the WS last year if Goldy is the first baseman?" one fan dreamt.

Expand Tweet

"Or if Oswaldo was at 1st," another said.

"Literally anyone but rizzo," one user wrote.

"No but they do go back to LA for atleast a Game 6," one fan added.

Fans started to make other speculations to lament their World Series loss.

"Or if Hill pitches instead of Nestor. Or if Judge was half of what he was in the regular season," one fan added.

"I don’t know about that but we would’ve had a much better chance if we had Goldy and Bellinger last year," another wrote.

Yankees start strong this season in their bid to get back to the WS

Old wounds were opened after that hustle play from Paul Goldschmidt, but it gave the Yankees their fourth win of the season. The Yankees came out firing all cylinders in their opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers. They scored 36 runs, thanks in part to "Torpedo Bats," to clinch a series sweep.

However, this was followed by two straight losses against the D-backs before they bounced back with a win on Thursday.

Another thing in favor of them is that reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge has continued from where he left off last regular season, hitting home runs for fun, adding five to his tally already.

The team now heads to Pittsburgh for their game against the Pirates on Friday at PNC Park.

About the author

Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.

A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.

A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.

Know More

Edited by Dipayan Moitra