Paul Goldschmidt finally has an MVP Award for his trophy case.
The St. Louis Cardinals slugger, who was a two-time runner-up and had finished in the top six of the National League MVP voting five times before Thursday, dominated the voting this time, claiming 22 of 30 first-place votes for 380 points to win the honor.
Going for Gold!
After a fantastic 2022 season, Paul Goldschmidt is your NL MVP. pic.twitter.com/hxbwbaav5g
— MLB (@MLB) November 17, 2022
Goldschmidt finished well ahead of San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who had seven first-place votes and 219 points. Goldschmidt’s teammate, third baseman Nolan Arenado, finished third with 232 points and had the lone remaining first-place vote.
Goldschmidt left little doubt in this race, putting up ridiculously good stats. He crushed 35 home runs, drove in 115 runs, batted .317, and led the NL with a .981 OPS and a 180 OPS+.
Goldschmidt told Bally Sports Midwest he immediately texted Arenado after learning he had won the award.
“He was the first guy I texted after the announcement,” Goldschmidt said. “I don’t win this award if he’s not there. Not just on the field but off the field, that guy’s one of my best friends.”
Paul Goldschmidt on beating out Nolan Arenado for the NL MVP award: "He was the first guy I texted after the announcement. I don't win this award if he's not there. Not just on the field but off the field, that guy's one of my best friends." @TheCatOnBallyTV | #STLCards pic.twitter.com/l9q45xnCMB
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) November 18, 2022
The 35-year-old Goldschmidt’s phenomenal season helped the Cardinals win the NL Central. However, some fans seemed to feel that, although Goldschmidt had the better numbers, Machado was more valuable to his team. It is hard to imagine the Padres making the playoffs without Machado’s contributions.
Paul Goldschmidt is the truly deserving winner of NL MVP award.
He got all but 8 first-place votes. Here’s a breakdown of how everyone voted and where the first-place votes for Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado came from. https://t.co/3nv1BWCIWj
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) November 18, 2022
Congratulations Paul Goldschmidt National League MVP!
— Bryant Hochstatter (@BryantHJames) November 18, 2022
statistics don’t lie
— Nick Moore (@nickmoore_2) November 17, 2022
We don’t deserve Paul Goldschmidt
— Bacondive (@wilkystl) November 18, 2022
That’s ‘Paul Goldschmidt, 𝗠𝗩𝗣’ to you. pic.twitter.com/fMePmbCHJh
— Marucci (@MarucciSports) November 18, 2022
People forget that NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt followed his MVP season by going 0-7 with 4 strikeouts against the eventual National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.
— Dan Cohen (@DanRCohen14) November 18, 2022
Paul Goldschmidt straight to Cooperstown.
— peter f✡︎x (@thatpeterfox) November 18, 2022
[MLB.com]
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