Down but not out, this Missouri Tigers baseball standout found way to contribute

It’s been a season to forget for Mizzou baseball.

Nearing the finish line, the Tigers remain winless in Southeastern Conference play at 0-21 (13-31 overall). It’s the worst league record in program history and ugliest start to a season in the 93-year history of the SEC.

There have been some bright spots, though, as Mizzou players continue to learn and develop.

Junior infielder Gehrig Goldbeck, one of the 13 newest additions to the squad, was expected to be the starting shortstop for the Tigers heading into the season. But during preseason workouts in January, the Kansas City Kansas Community College transfer noticed something was wrong.

“I was just throwing one day and knew something didn’t feel right,” said the former Tonganoxie High standout. “I was in a lot of pain.”

On Feb. 5, MU coach Kerrick Jackson announced that Goldbeck would need Tommy John surgery, or ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, which is a common procedure for pitchers.

“When I found out, it was heartbreaking,” Goldbeck said. “It’s what I’ve poured my heart and soul into. Whenever I got hurt, right away, I thought my season was over. (Jackson) was the one that told me, ‘Hey, there might be some opportunities to still play.’ They’ve been really supportive of me.”

Jackson also revealed that the junior would serve primarily as a designated hitter in his first season with the Tigers.

“We made some adjustments with him offensively to help him out a little bit,” Jackson said. “Obviously, it’s a little bit different as a position player than a pitcher.”

Instead of missing a season of play, Goldbeck chose not to sit out but to contribute anyway he could. While the injury has him in a limited role during his first season in the black and gold, Goldbeck has remained positive and productive on and off the field.

Building a reputation

Goldbeck was introduced to baseball by his father, Matt Goldbeck.

“He coaches at Kansas City (Kansas) Community College, so I’ve just kind of grown up around the game, and he’s helped me learn more about it,” Gehrig Goldbeck said. “I just love baseball, and I’ve tried to keep enjoying it along the way.”

Being involved with sports is nothing new for the Goldbeck family.

Similar to Goldbeck’s journey, his father also played two seasons with the Blue Devils to begin his collegiate career before transferring to Washburn. Even Diana Goldbeck, Gehrig’s mother, played softball and volleyball during her time at KCKCC.

Gehrig Goldbeck was named after legendary baseball player Lou Gehrig and donned Lou’s signature No. 4 through his earlier years in baseball.

Goldbeck’s father taught and coached him all the way through his first two years of college at KCKCC, where he is currently the head coach. He took over the position in 2015 after serving as an assistant for 22 seasons.

“I coached him since he was probably 4 and all the way through last year,” Matt Goldbeck said. “He didn’t want special treatment or anything like that; he even called me ‘Coach Goldbeck’ over those two years. He earned everything and got what he wanted.”

Gehrig Goldbeck attributes a lot of his success and past achievements to the bond and guidance he continues to receive from his father. When he’s going through a slump, there’s no hesitation to reach out and ask for advice.

“My dad and I have a really good relationship, and it was really cool to be able to experience having him as a coach,” he said. “I talk to him every couple days; it’s good for us to both vent about our struggles. Whether (the Blue Devils) are struggling or I’m struggling, it’s just always good to talk to someone about baseball.”

This isn’t the first time Goldbeck has dealt with an injury.

Going into his freshman year at KCKCC, he collided with an opposing first baseman during a summer-league game and needed surgery after lacerating his spleen. However, Goldbeck made sure he’d be ready for the beginning of the season.

“We weren’t sure he was going to be well enough for the conditioning test for the first day of practice,” his father said. “So, before the doctor released him, he started training — don’t tell his mom that — but he started training for a little bit and made conditioning tests from Day 1.”

During his stint at KCKCC, Gehrig earned back-to-back Rawlings Gold Glove Awards at shortstop and was named the 2023 NJCAA Division I Baseball Defensive Player of the Year, but the awards are just milestones leading to a brighter future.

“Those awards were in the past, and we’re just trying to get better each day,” Gehrig Goldbeck said. “I always try and just be a good teammate, and if I see something, I try and help guys along.”

Committing to Mizzou

After two stellar seasons with the Blue Devils, Goldbeck decided it was time to move to Division I. He visited Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska and Wichita State, but he ultimately decided to play for Mizzou.

“I wanted to be a part of a place that was going to commit to me and have a coaching staff I could get along with and know I trusted,” Goldbeck said. “This coaching staff was my favorite that I went on visits to. It’s why I chose to be here.”

The MU coaching staff has continued to emphasize the importance of buying into given opportunities and working together as a team in order to produce.

In a season that hasn’t gone as expected for the Goldbeck or the team, culture and identity have become a main focus for the Tigers. Goldbeck fully embraced the identity of a team player, seizing the chance to still take at-bats for Mizzou.

Even in his limited role, Goldbeck has been an important cog in the Missouri lineup, whether he’s hitting near the top or bottom of the batting order. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, especially by Jackson.

“Goldbeck is a high on-base guy,” Jackson said. “He’s a guy that we know we need in the lineup.”

In his first season with the Tigers, Goldbeck leads the team in walks with 17 and owns the second-highest on-base percentage among qualified hitters: .418. That trails only junior infielder Jackson Lovich (.427), who starred at Blue Valley West in high school.

Goldbeck’s on-base abilities have translated well to Division I competition, and they have not gone unnoticed by his former coach.

“He’s good about getting good pitches to hit and not chasing out of the zone,” his father said. “His on-base percentage is still pretty good. I think that’s kind of who he is as a hitter, and hopefully he can continue to grow as a hitter from that point.”

Looking toward the future

Despite having to undergo surgery on his arm at season’s end, Goldbeck’s mind is still focused on baseball.

The Tommy John procedure will most likely sideline him from the game he loves for 12-18 months. But he’s already looking forward to helping the team after his operation.

“He’s already talked about doing stand-ins for batting practice and bunting,” Matt Goldbeck said, “obviously defensive stuff and doing everything he possibly can do in addition to what the trainers and strength coaches are going to have him do.”

Although the season has been full of ups and downs, Gehrig Goldbeck believes in the team’s progress and what he can contribute toward Mizzou’s goals, including returning to the shortstop position in the future.

“We’re just not where we want to be right now, but we’re trending in the right direction,” Goldbeck said. “We’re going to continue getting better each day, week and each month from here on out until next season.”

Goldbeck and the Tigers look to snap their 21-game conference losing streak against No. 9 Georgia (36-11, 12-9) in a three-game series. Game 1 of the set begins at 6 p.m. Friday at Taylor Stadium.

Copyright 2025 Columbia Missourian

This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 12:19 PM.