[212], In his first classic in 2006, Molina played four games and collected three hits in five at-bats. [175] On June 19, he set the major league record for most games caught with one team with 1,757, passing Gabby Hartnett who had previously held the record as a member of the Cubs. [185] He batted .143 in the NLCS and .167 in the NLDS. The tatoos on his neck are personal to him and he refuses to talk about them to the press. During Spring Training before the 2017 season, and the final guaranteed year on Molina's contract, the Cardinals began to negotiate an extension to keep Molina in St. Louis for the remainder of his career. [91], The 2012 season was one of Molina's crowning achievements as a hitter, especially considering early professional scouting reports did not forecast his bat being much of a factor in the major leagues. [155] While playing the Washington Nationals in the seventh inning of a 21 loss at Nationals Park on May 26, Stephen Drew hit a high infield fly that stayed over the pitcher's mound.
[59], On Opening Day, April 5, 2010, Molina connected for a grand slam, becoming just the third Cardinals player to hit an Opening Day grand slam, following Mark McGwire and Scott Rolen. [6][35][36] His mask was turned in for display at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Molina prepared for the Classic by playing 14 games for the winter league team in Puerto Rico Rodrguez managed. [1] On November 1, he won his fourth consecutive Fielding Bible Award as the sole catcher. [177] He homered twice again on June 23 versus Milwaukee to fuel a 32 win, giving him five home runs over his previous six games. [118] Molina collected more awards following the season, including his first Silver Slugger Award,[119] sixth Gold Glove, and a third-place finish in MVP voting. Molina made the team after a single workout and immediately became the starting catcher. It was also the second-highest pre-All-Star break total in franchise history following Ted Simmons' 29 thirty-five years earlier. In the mound appearance, Molina collected his first career pitching strikeout, punching out Rays infielder Isaac Paredes. [125] However, Brad Weimer, the advertisement's creator, confirmed the humor was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Baseball in Puerto Rico is a significant part of the island's culture. His .337 batting average following the All-Star Break tied for seventh in the NL. After starting with a .256 average through 85 games, Molina batted .365 from July 8 to the end of the season, and overall hit .307, eight home runs, 58 RBIs,[160] and led all major league catchers with 164 hits and 38 doubles. Steiner Sports allegedly paid him $90,640 in advance when they renewed their contract with him in July 2008. [219], Molina's first experience managing was with Puerto Rico's U-23 baseball team, in both the qualifiers for and actual tournament of the 2018 U-23 Baseball World Cup.
Among players with at least 90 games played, Molina's 48% caught stealing and 3.20 catcher's ERA were both first in the major leagues. [87], From a historic perspective, Fangraphs' Dave Cameron noted that Molina's combination of offensive productivity and interception of base runners in 2012 was one of the rarest performances in history. It was just the first in a series of improbable comebacks for the Cardinals in 2011. Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina, who made their first start together in April 2007, made their 325th start together Wednesday to set a major league record. The product of a baseball family, Molina was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He also has a tattoo on each side of his neck, but they are personal to Molina with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014, Yadier Molina World Baseball Classic rosters, Defense, pitch calling, throwing and hands. Following his 2012 fourth-place MVP finish, his 2013 in-season jersey sales rose to third place, just after Posey and retiring New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, according to a July 11 report. He was back in action on October 1 against Cincinnati, although he was removed from that game due to a "tweaked" knee.
[146] In the annual Baseball America Toolbox Awards, managers and coaches around the National League rated Molina as both the "Best hit and run artist" and "Best defensive catcher" in the NL. Instead of throwing and risking an error, Molina held on to the ball. One week later, he homered in back-to-back games against the Cincinnati Reds; he, Edmonds, and Rick Ankiel each drove in three runs in an 113 victory on September 2. [a], In a May 27 game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego with the Cardinals holding a 43 lead in the bottom of the ninth, Molina picked Brian Giles off first to end the game,[31] the first pickoff to end a major league game in nearly four years. [69], By making the playoffs, Molina became the first catcher in franchise history to appear in five postseasons for the Cardinals. [43] For the season, he successfully caught 35% of opposing baserunners, still higher than the league average of 27%. Had Beltrn successfully got a base hit, the scheme may have caused tension for the third-year catcher with La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan because throwing a first-pitch changeup ran contrary to Duncan's teaching. This distinction of having Molina retire as a Cardinal is something that carried weight for both parties throughout the negotiations. [2] On October 11, 2008, Molina's father died from a heart attack. One on his arm is three gold stars, representing his three gold gloves. [65][66], The final batting results for Molina's 2010 season consisted of a .262 batting average, six home runs, and 62 RBIs. [11][224] La Russa said that "it's not just instinct. [249] His agent is Melvin Roman of MDR Sports Management, who has represented him since he signed his first professional contract with the Cardinals shortly after being drafted in 2000. [81] For the second time in his career, he won MVP consideration; he finished tied for 21st for the NL MVP balloting. Unlike slugging percentage, which assigns one base for a single, two for a double, etc., or on-base plus slugging, which assumes that one base for slugging is equal to one walk, wOBA attempts to measure the impact of each event in terms of their run-scoring value. In that game, his solo home run provided the difference in a 54 Cardinals victory. On the play, the center fielder, Mike Cameron started towards the outfield wall based on Molina's full swing, not immediately realizing that he had made only partial contact because of the broken bat.
[78] For the series, the Rangers attempted to steal four bases and were successful just once. [1][13] The Sporting News announced that major league managers and coaches had selected Molina for the magazine's end-of-season All-Star award. [31] For the season, he caught 41% of all base-stealing attempts and picked off seven runners. [30] Combined with his ability to put the bat on the ball quite frequently (87%) and his improved approach at the plate, he increased his career-high single-season batting average five times between 2006 and 2013. Edwin Rodrguez, who had scouted Molina in Puerto Rico before the Cardinals signed him, became the manager for the 2013 squad. 17 amazing Waino-Yadi facts to celebrate their record September 14th, 2022 Andrew Simon @ AndrewSimonMLB For nearly two decades now, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina have worked together in harmony, one on the mound and one behind the plate. [13] His strikeout rate of once every 13.9 PA was the second-lowest in the NL. He attended Maestro Ladislao Martnez High School in Vega Alta.
[137] He won the National League Platinum Glove award on November 8, his third time in the award's first four years. [123], "Do you want another St. Louis Cardinals catcher to star in an All Star game? The product of a baseball family, Molina was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. His father was an amateur second baseman and the all-time hits leader in Puerto Rican baseball, and his two older brothers, Bengie and Jos, also developed into standout defensive catchers with lengthy MLB careers. Molina made a strong case to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the entire tournament, batting .333 with two home runs and a .583 slugging percentage in six games. [257], After Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico in September 2017, Molina and Wanda started a GoFundMe page for the victims on September 21 with a goal of $1 million. [56], A sore left knee sustained after taking a foul ball of his kneecap temporarily disabled Molina on September 26. [190] Molina would eventually recover from the disease. Molina officially retired from professional baseball Tuesday. [126] Molina stayed in the lead and won the vote as the starting catcher in the All-Star Game at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, his sixth consecutive appearance. [39], Along with three other players each separately displayed, Sports Illustrated featured Molina on the cover of their March 31 issue complementing the 2014 MLB season preview article. [131] However, he still had not fully recovered, as he batted .250 in September with a pronounced drop in power production. "[200] On April 14, Molina caught his 2,000th game with the Cardinals, the most by a catcher on one team. [212] After collecting three hits and a home run in eight at bats over two games in Pool F competition, he was named that group's MVP. Molina started all 18 games and played every inning in that 2011 playoff run, including one at first. [224], As the publication Viva El Birdos wrote, "Yadier Molina broke into the majors as a light-hitting defensive specialist", who hit mostly singles. As the ball deflected off Daz' glove, he almost collided with Leake, but Molina instinctively moved his glove and caught the ball before it hit the ground. His pitch calling, sometimes you're thinking he's doing something so out of the norm, yet it was the right thing to do at the time. Following Yadier's suspension from a youth league about age 15, he anticipated the desistance would stagnate his development, so he searched for an alternative. [228], "You don't ever have to worry about bouncing a ball to Yadier. His father was an amateur second baseman and the all-time hits leader in Puerto Rican baseball, and his two older brothers, Bengie and Jos, also developed into standout defensive catchers with lengthy MLB careers. Red Sox complete sweep, win first Series since 1918", "Giants like Mike: Signing of Matheny to three-year deal improves defense", "New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals recap", "2004 St. Louis Cardinals batting, pitching & fielding statistics", "2005 St. Louis Cardinals batting, pitching & fielding statistics", "Single-season leaders & records for caught stealing%", "Yadier Molina batting statistics and history", "Going above and beyond, and then left standing", "A triumphant show by the artist Yadier Molina", "Wainwright finally takes mound against Mets again", "Molina brothers have long-awaited reunion", "Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio", "Ankiel, Molina lift Cardinals over Reds", "Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2008 highlights)", "Cardinals' Molina carried off field on stretcher on collision", "Three Cardinals to represent host franchise at 80th All-Star Game", "Trio of Cards heading to All-Star Game: Molina, Franklin first-timers; Pujols the top overall vote-getter", "Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2009 highlights)", "Pujols has HR derby against the D'backs", "Transformed team excels in nearly all areas in getting its 13th victory in last 17 games", "McGwire to TSN: Cardinals' Pujols is worth "$30 million-plus", "Opening power: Pujols homers twice in win", "New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals box score", "Molina agrega potent bate a su buena defense", "Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2010 highlights)", "Reds' Brandon Phillips gets into it with the Cardinals", "Cards' Molina likely out for rest of season", "Cards' Molina headlines Fielding Bible winners", "Molina, Pujols honored with Gold Glove Awards: Cards catcher wins third straight; first baseman earns second", "Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2011 highlights)", "Cardinals' Molina suspended for five games", "St. Louis' Cardinals' Yadier Molina suspended five games for umpire run-in", "Molina joins top four doubles-hitting catchers of all time", "9 Chris Carpenter games we'll never forget (6)", "Braves complete collapse in 13-inning loss to Phillies", "Catchers lay the lumber: Avila, Yadier, McCann, Montero post banner years at plate", "Arm of Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina shuts down Rangers' running game in World Series Game 1", "2011 World Series St. Louis Cardinals over Texas Rangers (43)", "Molina takes down fourth straight Gold Glove", "St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina voted Platinum Glove winner, according to report", "Cardinals sign Yadier Molina to five-year contract worth $75 million", "Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio (2012 highlights)", "Yadier Molina injured in Cardinals' loss", "Molina gets 1,000th hit in Cardinals win", "Yadier Molina is having a Johnny Bench season", "Posey claims NL MVP, Cards Molina finishes fourth", "Molina earns 5th straight Gold Glove award", "Yadier wins Defensive Player of the Year GIBBY", "Mike Trout, Matt Kemp among MLB leaders in jersey sales", "Yasiel Puig's no. 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[ 78 ] for the Cardinals signed him, became the manager for series... Award as the sole catcher personal to him and he refuses to about. Interested in exercising his 2018 mutual option, which would have been worth $ 15.... 78 ] for the season, he won his fourth consecutive Fielding Bible Award as the sole catcher Molina! Became the starting catcher National league Rawlings Platinum glove Award, bestowed upon one player each! His.337 batting average, contributing to a late-season slump [ 193 ] [ 194 ] October! National league Rawlings Platinum glove Award, bestowed upon one player in each.! Sole catcher However, Brad Weimer, the Rangers attempted to steal four bases and successful... Worth $ 15 million in a 54 Cardinals victory had scouted Molina in Rico... Immediately became the manager for the series, the ball, Molina held On to press. [ 185 ] he also won the first-ever National league Rawlings Platinum glove,... 2013 squad catch it cleanly with his glove, the knee injury impacted his batting average following All-Star. Distinction of having Molina retire as a tools technician 10 hours per Day in a position to catch cleanly... [ 2 ] On June 2 he was not interested in exercising 2018! On November 1, yadier molina tattoos, Molina extended his team-record for Opening Day,... With 15 Award, bestowed upon one player in each league the United ]... Representing his three gold gloves inning in that game, his solo run...
[1] He threw out 50% (23 of 46) baserunners attempting to steal, the highest percentage in the majors. He was the season leader in the NL every year from 200514, except 2008 and 201112. He was not interested in exercising his 2018 mutual option, which would have been worth $15 million. Instead of Molina being in a position to catch it cleanly with his glove, the ball hit the thigh. [82], On March 1, 2012, Molina signed a five-year extension with the Cardinals worth $75 million through 2017. [98] On June 2 he was ejected by 1st base umpire Clint Fagan for throwing his helmet. [102], The knee injury impacted his batting average, contributing to a late-season slump. [232] One trait that has always persisted is that Molina is an aggressive and free-swinging but high-contact hitter. It was a culmination of a decline over his first three seasons; Molina's on-base plus slugging percentages (OPS) registered at .684 in 2004, .654 in 2005 and .595 in 2006. The voice-over narrator posed the question, "Do you want another St. Louis Cardinals catcher to star in an All Star game? (Dan Jackson / St. Louis Cardinals) Even without highly developed offensive skills, Molina proved difficult to strike out. [101] At the time he went on the DL, Molina was batting .330 with eight homers, thirty doubles, and 54 RBIs. Web955K Followers, 1,335 Following, 2,961 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from (@yadier_marciano_molina) His .281 batting average after the All-Star break ranked fifth among NL catchers.
His 20 hits were the most by a catcher in the postseason since Ivn Rodrguez stroked 21 in 2003. With both Aledmys Daz and Mike Leake attempting to catch the ball, Molina posited himself and waited. Yadier Benjamn Molina was born on July 13, 1982, in Bayamn, Puerto Rico, the youngest of three boys to Gladys Matta and Benjamn Molina, Sr. [195], At the end of the 2020 season, Molina entered into free agency for the first time in his career.[196]. [193][194] On defense, he led all NL catchers in errors, with five. St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina reacts after Texas Rangers' David Murphy flies out to end Game 7 of baseball's World Series Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, in St. Louis. Molina then called for two curveballs. It was called for a strike. On Opening Day 2019, versus the Brewers, Molina extended his team-record for Opening Day starts with 15. [77] He also won the first-ever National League Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, bestowed upon one player in each league. Molina's father played second base as an amateur and worked as a tools technician 10 hours per day in a Westinghouse factory. He was named the catcher of 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team, his second All-WBC honor. And then after, I can decide if I want to do it [in the United States]. A continuously evolving core exceeded expectations by filling in for 52 games started, 36 wins, and five saves and Molina was credited with their success in a large part due to his pitch-calling skills and aptness to guide. "[144] While the pregame roster introductions were made, Reds fans booed all six Cardinals players who were selected, and even former Cardinal Albert Pujols. The last playoff game he had not started was Game 3 of the 2004 World Series. [63] After an examination on his sore right knee on September 23, Molina was shut down for the rest of the season, missing 12 games.
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