Post Content Cardinals News
MLB Logo icon
That was Steve Turco’s advice to then-scouting director John Mozeliak, who negotiated with an 18-year-old Molina, selected in the 2nd round of the 2000 Draft.
This browser does not support the video element.
June 3, 2004: Yadi’s first MLB hit
The baby-faced catcher drilled a liner over short off Oliver Perez. The ball was retrieved for Molina’s expansive trophy case.
This browser does not support the video element.
Oct. 19, 2006: Coming through in the clutch
With the Cards and Mets locked in a tense 1-1 tie in Game 7 of the NLCS, Molina showed off his clutch gene with a game-winning two-run homer.
This browser does not support the video element.
Oct. 19, 2006: Calling for ‘Uncle Charlie’
Not long after homering to give the Cards a 3-1 lead in Game 7 of the NLCS, Molina called for a curveball and Adam Wainwright delivered, sending St. Louis to the World Series.
A strong candidate in each of his first three seasons, Molina won his first of eight straight Gold Gloves in 2008.
This browser does not support the video element.
Oct. 7, 2019: ‘Playoff Yadi’ delivers again
With the Cards on the brink of elimination, Molina’s Game 4 walk-off sac fly lifted Busch Stadium to its feet and the Cardinals back into the series.
Molina’s durability and longevity started paying off again in the new decade, when he became just the ninth catcher to rack up 2,000 hits.
The next season, Yadi caught his 2,000th game, becoming the sixth player to do so in AL/NL history, but the only one with just one franchise.
This browser does not support the video element.
2022: Yadi, the pitcher?
Molina took the mound for the first time on May 22, surrendering four runs and two homers. On June 8, he pitched a scoreless inning — with his first and only strikeout — to lower his career ERA to 18.00.
This browser does not support the video element.
June 14, 2022: Another catching record
When Molina corralled the sky-high pop off the bat of Ke’Bryan Hayes, the 39-year-old catcher passed Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez for first in NL/AL history with his 14,865th putout as a catcher.
Setting a record that likely won’t be broken in MLB history, Yadi teamed with Wainwright for their 325th start as a battery. The ball from the first pitch was later cut in half for the two teammates. They finished with 328 starts.
This browser does not support the video element.
Oct. 8, 2022: A hit in his final at-bat
Sensing the magnitude of the moment, Molina delivered a base hit in what proved to be the final at-bat of his MLB career, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at Busch Stadium.
