Paul Goldschmidt is on a Record-Setting Pace

Jul 9, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a walk off double to beat the Miami Marlins 4-3 in the tenth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Barring an unbelievable turnaround, there will be no pennant race for the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be fun to watch after the All Star Break. We will get a chance to see how much progress all of the rookies will make (or regress) and start wondering what the team will look like in 2015. We also will get a chance to witness history as Paul Goldschmidt tries to break one of baseball’s longest-reigning records.

In 1931, Earl Webb of the Boston Red Sox banged out 67 doubles, a number that stands to this day. The closest to have come to that mark was Todd Helton in 2000 with 59. That same year, Carlos Delgado hit 57 two-baggers. Through 92 games, Goldschmidt has 35 doubles including yesterday’s extra-inning one that gave the D’backs the 4-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. Last year, Goldschmidt had 36 for the entire season. After a brief slump from June 13th through the end of that month when he had only one double, Goldschmidt has gotten hot again with seven of them so far in July. He needs 33 doubles over the final 69 games to eclipse Webb’s record. With the way he is hitting now, he could finish 2014 with 70.

One of the more fascinating aspects about Webb holding this mark for so long is that his next highest amount was 30. Webb’s career total was 155 over the course of his seven year career. He was 33 years old in 1931 while Goldschmidt is only 26 today . If he doesn’t break the record this season, expect him to challenge for it over the next decade.