TAMPA, Fla. — Paul Goldschmidt debuted as a big leaguer August 2011, then was an Opening Day starter for the next 14 seasons, the first seven with the Diamondbacks, then next six with the Cardinals and the Yankees last year.
Wednesday in San Francisco will be quite different for the seven-time All-Star and 2022 National League Most Valuable Player.
Ben Rice will be the Yankees’ starting first baseman and Goldschmidt will be on the bench.
Goldschmidt, 38, willingly accepted transitioning to part-time player to return to the Yankees this season on a one-year, $4 million contract
after testing the free agent market until the week before spring training. He’ll probably get starts against left-handed pitching because he was one of the best righty-vs-lefty hitters in the majors last season. He’ll probably also see action pinch-hitting and subbing for Rice late in games the Yankees are leading for defense.
Goldschmidt is featured today in NJ.com’s daily spring training “favorites” questionnaire:
Teenage celebrity crush: I’m going to keep that one to myself!
Childhood sports hero: I grew up in Houston, so I loved some of the Astros. Jeff Bagman, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman … those were my guys.
Favorite movie: Old School. I like comedies.
Favorite actor: Will Ferrell.
Favorite musical artists: I grew up listening to countries guys Garth Brooks and George Strait.
Best little league memory: Hitting my first home run at 10 years old.
Favorite zoo animals: Tigers and lions.
Favorite non-MLB teams: St. Louis Blues.
Best sports besides baseball: I played basketball, football and soccer.
Favorite road city: Washington, D.C. I love going there so I can do some sightseeing on our country.
Favorite ballparks: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) and Oracle Park (San Francisco). I have so many memories of going to LA and San Fran because they always were premier NL teams when I was with the D’backs. We had a lot of big games in those ballparks. Also, I made my debut in San Francisco.
Toughest pitcher to face: Clayton Kershaw.
One rule change I’d make if I were commissioner: I know why they don’t do it, but I would like more day games. That’s a selfish answer, but I don’t want to take red-eye (flights) across the country.
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving.
Favorite cartoon: When I was really young, I used to watch The Simpsons all the time and then Family Guy when I was a little older.
Favorite toy as child: It was anything associated with sports, like a ball and glove, but it wasn’t just baseball. I’ve got two younger brothers and we were always playing whatever sport was in season.
Favorite childhood family vacation: I grew up Texas and we’d go to Florida or Cape Cod, but my favorite trips were went going to Oklahoma or wherever for baseball or other sports.
Dream vacation: Hawaii.
Favorite subject in school: Math.
Favorite video game: Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball.
Favorite meal: Either chicken wings or a hamburger with French fries.
Favorite fast-food restaurant: Chick-fil-A.
Favorite candy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
Favorite snack: Chips with guacamole or salsa.
Favorite soda/non-alcoholic drink: Gatorade.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Vanilla.
Food won’t eat: That’s a good one because I’ll try anything. It would have to be some kind of sauce that I don’t like.
Favorite TV station/streaming network: Amazon Prime.
Hobbies: I’m not a good golfer, but I love it. I also like to cook and read.
3 living or dead people you’d invite to dinner: Lou Gehrig for baseball, George Washington and George W. Bush. I think of Bush as President from my childhood because of 9/11. George W. is a guy I’d love to meet. I’m from Texas, he’s from Texas.
YANKEES FAVORITES SERIES
— Feb. 12: Aaron Boone
— Feb. 13: Jazz Chisholm
— Feb. 14: Tim Hill
— Feb. 15: Amed Rosario
— Feb. 16: Clarke Schmidt
— Feb. 17: Jake Bird
— Feb. 18: Max Fried
— Feb. 19: Spencer Jones
— Feb. 20: Ryan Yarbrough
— Feb. 21: Brad Ausmus
— Feb. 22: Max Schuemann
— Feb. 23: Cade Winquest
— Feb. 24: Trent Grisham
— Feb. 25: Ryan Weathers
— Feb. 26: Austin Wells
— Feb. 27: Jose Caballero
— Feb. 28: George Lombard Jr.
— March 1: James Rowson
— March 2: Ben Rice
— March 3: Paul DeJong
— March 4: Jasson Dominguez
— March 5: Will Warren
— March 6: Giancarlo Stanton
— March 7: Luis Gil
— March 8: J.C. Escarra
— March 9: Ryan McMahon
— March 10: Anthony Volpe
— March 11: Paul Blackburn
— March 12: Matt Blake
— March 13: Carlos Rodon
— March 14: Oswaldo Cabrera
— March 15: Fernando Cruz
— March 16: David Bednar
— March 17: Luis Rojas
— March 18: Cam Schlittler
— March 19: Cody Bellinger
— March 20: Randal Grichuk
— March 21: Dan Fiorito
— March 22: Paul Goldschmidt