Baseball | 2/7/2015 10:06:00 PM
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Add a Texas State retired jersey to the long list of accolades for former Bobcat and current Arizona Diamondback
Paul Goldschmidt, a list that includes two Major League Baseball All Star nods and the Hank Aaron Award. Head Coach
Ty Harrington, along with Texas State President
Dr. Denise M. Trauth and Director of Athletics
Dr. Larry Teis, announced the Goldschmidt jersey retiring in front of more than 500 guests at Texas State Baseball's Annual Lead-Off Dinner Saturday night.
Goldschmidt is the first ever Bobcat baseball player to have his jersey retired, and one of just five athletes across all sports at Texas State to receive the honor. He joins men's basketball players
Vernon MacDonald,
Jeff Foster and
Lewis Gilcrease as well as women's basketball player
Linda Muelker as the only Texas State athletes to have their jersey retired.
"It's a huge honor. I was totally shocked. I had no idea they were doing any of that," Goldschmidt said. "There's been a ton of great players here, and I'm glad I could be part of the legacy. You're motivated by the guys that come before you, and, hopefully, I can be a role model and motivate the guys that come up behind me."
Harrington was happy to have the opportunity to honor Goldschmidt Saturday.
"The program is relatively new still. Building a tradition is hard to do. It's done with success and it's done with great players," Harrington said. "It was very special for me tonight to have an opportunity to let him know we were going to retire his number. It was big. It was exciting for me."
Goldschmidt is the Texas State career leader in home runs (36) and RBI (179) doing most of his work in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He is second all-time at Texas State in total bases (369) and third in batting average (.353), doubles (45) and walks (110). He holds the Bobcat season records for most RBI (88 in 2009), most doubles (21 in 2009) and most walks (55 in 2009). He hit the second most home runs in a season with 18 in 2009 after knocking out 17 in 2008.
As a junior, he led Texas State to the 2009 Southland Conference Championship with a 41-17 overall record and a 24-7 record in conference play. The 41 wins in 2009 ties a record for the most wins in a season by Texas State baseball and the regular season conference championship was the first of three consecutive conference championships.
Not only is Goldschmidt the first ever baseball player to see his jersey retired at Texas State, but he is the athlete to earn the honor the fastest.
"It's something that has been in the works," Harrington said. "It just usually takes longer to do that, and, graciously, Dr. Trauth and Dr. Teis were able to pull that off and make it happen, rightfully so. This young man certainly deserved it."
As Harrington heaped praise on Goldschmidt, the Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman took the opportunity to extol the virtues of Harrington.
"Coach Harrington is just a great role model, great baseball coach, great person, great father, everything. Friend, brother, every word you could say," said Goldschmidt. "To have his praise is huge. It's an honor."
While Goldschmidt's jersey retirement was certainly the highlight of the night at the Texas State Baseball Lead-Off Dinner, there was plenty of fun to go around for attendees. There was a silent auction and an opportunity to meet the 2015 Bobcat squad. There was also a question and answer session with Goldschmidt and former Bobcat
Kyle Kubitza, the Atlanta Braves' Minor League Player of the Year last season.
"It's a big fundraiser for us. It's an opportunity to introduce the team and to go out and raise some money and kind of kick off the baseball season. It's a chance to do something enjoyable and fun and get their families in," said Harrington. "Really, it's an opportunity to let them understand that this is all part of our family. This is one of those events that brings the parents and the kids together, the coaches and fans. It's a big night for us. It's a great night and a lot of fun. It's a great way to get the season started."
Texas State will start the season Friday, Feb. 13, at Bobcat Ballpark with a three-game series against UC Davis. The Bobcats will begin conference play at home against UL Monroe on March 6 and get their first crack at defending SBC Champion UL Lafayette with a series April 17-19 at Bobcat Ballpark. Texas State will also host standout opponents Texas, Baylor, Sam Houston State, Houston, UTSA and SBC opponent UT Arlington throughout the year.
To get your tickets, click
here or call the Texas State Athletics Ticket Office at 512-245-2272.
