Paul Goldschmidt Opens Up About Emotional Matchup Against Former Team, the St. Louis Cardinals
In a recent interview, New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt shared his thoughts on facing his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, for the first time since leaving in free agency.
Goldschmidt, who spent eight seasons with the Cardinals, admitted that the matchup was an emotional one for him. “It’s definitely a little different,” he said. “I have a lot of great memories with that organization and a lot of great relationships with guys over there.”
The 33-year-old slugger also expressed his gratitude towards the Cardinals for giving him the opportunity to play at the highest level. “I’m forever grateful for the Cardinals for giving me a chance to play in the big leagues and to be a part of that organization,” he said.
However, Goldschmidt made it clear that his focus now is on helping the Yankees win games. “I’m just trying to do my job and help this team win,” he said. “That’s my main focus.”
The Cardinals also had nothing but praise for their former star player. Manager Mike Shildt called Goldschmidt a “class act” and said that he was happy to see him doing well with the Yankees.
As for the matchup itself, Goldschmidt had a successful return to St. Louis, hitting a home run in the first game of the series. The Yankees ended up winning the series, taking two out of three games against the Cardinals.
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Yankees’ Paul Goldschmidt Returns to St. Louis in Emotional Reunion with Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals have said goodbye to many veteran players in recent years, but the return of Paul Goldschmidt to St. Louis as a member of the New York Yankees was a highly anticipated event. In an exclusive interview with MLB.com’s Jeff Jones, Goldschmidt opened up about his emotional return to the city he called home for six years.
“Driving in today, this was my drive every day for six years; it’s pretty cool,” Goldschmidt said. “Probably just a lot of positive memories to try to block out the bad ones. Just all great memories, the great games, the relationships I have with all the guys over there.”
After spending more than half a decade with the Cardinals, it’s no surprise that Goldschmidt’s return as a former player was an emotional one. He shared a special bond with his former teammates, many of whom were still in the Cardinals’ dugout.
“I have so many fond memories,” Goldschmidt said, “so many lifelong friends over there in that dugout.”
But despite the touching reunion, Goldschmidt made it clear that he was focused on winning against his former team.
“That’s going to be fun, but once the game starts,” Goldschmidt said, “you know how serious I am. I want to always go out there and, number one, try to win. I’ll say hi to people before or after the games, but I’ve got a job to do.”
During his six-year tenure with the Cardinals, Goldschmidt had an impressive record, including an MVP award in 2022. He had 874 hits, 495 runs scored, 179 doubles, 153 home runs, 477 RBIs, and an .843 OPS in 836 games played.
After eight seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and six with the Cardinals, Goldschmidt is now in the American League with the Yankees. He’s having a solid year and has been a key contributor to the team’s success in 2025.
While Goldschmidt has returned to his former team’s stadium before as a member of the Diamondbacks, this was his first time returning as a Yankee. Although he didn’t get an at-bat in the first game of the series due to a mild knee sprain, he did come in as a defensive replacement and helped the Yankees secure a 4-3 win over the Cardinals.
Reflecting on his time with the Cardinals, Goldschmidt expressed gratitude for the success he had with the team, despite falling short in the postseason. He also acknowledged the trade and contract that brought him to St. Louis, saying it was well worth it.
As the MLB season continues, Goldschmidt’s return to St. Louis will surely be a memorable moment for both him and Cardinals fans.
