“I don’t play for trophies. I play for the people who sacrificed to get me here.”
Paul Goldschmidt is known by the numbers – 2022 MVP, 8-time All-Star, 4 Gold Gloves, over 2,000 MLB hits. But behind the Cardinals’ familiar No. 46, behind the dignified demeanor of the dugout, lies a story that goes beyond sports – the story of a child with Holocaust memories, a student who passed up millions to earn a college degree, and a man who quietly gave the keys to his house to homeless people without anyone knowing.
A Childhood Steeped in History
Paul Edward Goldschmidt was born in 1987 in Wilmington, Delaware, but grew up in The Woodlands, Texas, a quiet suburb where his parents, David and Kim, taught him discipline and gratitude. His family had a memorable past: his grandfather had fled Germany in 1938 to escape the Holocaust, moving to the United States like many other refugees to start over.
“We never forgot that,” Goldschmidt said. “I grew up grateful that our family’s life was not something we took for granted.”
Paul did not grow up in luxury. In the summers, he volunteered with his mother at church, and his father taught him to read sports newspapers, not to brag, but to learn how great people lived and thought.
Prioritizing Education Over Fame
In 2006, the Dodgers drafted Paul in the 49th round—a golden opportunity for anyone. But the 19-year-old turned it down. Not for the money. But because of a promise to his mother: “I have to finish school.”
Paul attended Texas State University, becoming the best player on the team both in the game and in his academics. After making his MLB debut in 2011 with Arizona, he continued his studies online to earn a bachelor’s degree in Management—finishing in 2013, in the midst of his first All-Star season.
Entering Adulthood—Baseball, Family, and Faith
In 2010, Paul married his college sweetheart, Amy, who was quietly behind every play, every homer. The couple has two children and maintains a modest life in St. Louis.
Although raised in a Jewish family, Paul was raised Catholic. But he has never distanced himself from his Jewish heritage – on the contrary, he proudly embraces both identities.
“I believe in human connection. My faith keeps me humble and resilient,” Goldschmidt said during a talk at his local church.
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A Cardinals legend built from silence
In 2019, the Cardinals signed Paul Goldschmidt to a five-year, $130 million contract. Fans wondered: “Does he have enough fire?”
The answer came in the second game – three homers, a six-game HR streak, and the 2022 MVP. But the special thing is… Paul never talks about his own achievements.
Instead, he invites his young teammates to join his “book club” in the clubhouse. He teaches Juan Yepez how to study pitchers through data. He quietly shared with Masyn Winn: “Sometimes, learning how to lose properly is the beginning of winning.”
The man who quietly builds a house and heals
Few people know that Goldschmidt is the one who quietly donated $50,000 to build a house for a family with three young children after the storm in St. Louis. He also participates in the Big League Impact program, supporting ALS patients through the Lou Gehrig Day fund.
“I don’t need to be known. Just knowing they are helped is enough,” he said when handing over a special wheelchair to a boy with muscular dystrophy.
A quiet light – but shining for a lifetime
Paul Goldschmidt may not throw his hat in celebration. He may not create hype on Instagram. But he is a role model that everyone should learn from – from young Cardinals players, to neutral fans, to those looking for an ideal in life.
When asked what was most important in his career, Paul did not mention MVP, did not mention the hundred million contract. He simply said:
“I want my son to remember me as a good person. Not a good player.”