Yadier Molina - wikipedia Yadier Molina Yadier Molina Molina with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 St. Louis Cardinals -- No. 4 Catcher Born : ( 1982 - 07 - 13 ) July 13, 1982 ( age 36 ) Bayamón, Puerto Rico Bats : Right Throws : Right MLB debut June 3, 2004, for the St. Louis Cardinals MLB statistics ( through 2018 season ) Batting average. 282 Hits 1,850 Home runs 146 Runs batted in 859 Teams St. Louis Cardinals ( 2004 -- present ) Career highlights and awards 9 × All - Star ( 2009 -- 2015, 2017, 2018 ) 2 × World Series champion ( 2006, 2011 ) 8 × Gold Glove Award ( 2008 -- 2015 ) Silver Slugger Award ( 2013 ) 4 × Platinum Glove Award ( 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 ) 6x Fielding Bible Award ( 2007 - 2010, 2012 - 2013 ) Roberto Clemente Award ( 2018 ) 2 × All - World Baseball Classic Team ( 2013, 2017 ) Medals Men 's baseball Representing Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2013 San Francisco National team 2017 Los Angeles National team Yadier Benjamin Molina ( Spanish pronunciation : ( ʝaˈdjeɾ moˈlina ) ; born July 13, 1982 ), nicknamed `` Yadi '', is a Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball ( MLB ). He has played his entire 15 - year major league career with the Cardinals since his debut on June 3, 2004, and also for the Puerto Rican national team in four World Baseball Classic ( WBC ) tournaments. Widely considered one of the greatest defensive catchers of all time, Molina is the recipient of a number of accolades, including eight Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. A two - time World Series champion, he is also a paramount figure in nine Cardinals playoff appearances and four National League pennants, and is a two - time silver medalist with Puerto Rico. Molina bats and throws right - handed, stands 5 feet 11 inches ( 1.80 m ) tall, and weighs 205 pounds ( 93 kg ). Molina ranks second all - time among catchers with 130 Defensive Runs Saved ( DRS ), and first among active catchers with 845 assists, 41.69 % of runners caught stealing, and 55 pickoffs. He also ranks in the top 70 among catchers in history in each of fielding percentage, games played, double plays turned and assists. As a hitter, he has accrued more than 1,500 hits, 100 home runs, and 700 runs batted in ( RBI ) during his career, while batting over. 300 five times. Other MLB distinctions include nine All Star Game selections, six Fielding Bible Awards, four Platinum Glove Awards, and one Silver Slugger Award. Further, he is a two - time selection to the All - WBC Tournament Team. 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 José, also developed into standout defensive catchers with lengthy MLB careers. Long before playing professionally, Molina 's pitch - handling and throwing skills caught the attention of scouts. The Cardinals ' fourth round selection in the 2000 MLB draft, he quickly showed one of the strongest and most accurate arms in the game after starting play in the major leagues. Having earned a reputation as a team leader throughout his career, Molina formulates fielder positioning plans and complete pitching strategies to opposing hitters. Initially considered a light hitter, Molina significantly improved his offense and raised his career batting average from. 248 in 2007. He has appeared on five Most Valuable Player Award ( MVP ) ballots, finishing fourth in 2012 and third in 2013. The Cardinals appeared in the postseason in nine of his first twelve seasons, and he is the only catcher in club history to appear in at least five. In 2006, he became just the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, following Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He became the all - time Cardinals ' leader in games caught with 1,439 on April 8, 2016. Molina is under contract through 2020. Contents 1 Early life 2 Scouting and minor leagues 3 St. Louis Cardinals ( 2004 -- present ) 3.1 2004 -- 06 3.2 2007 -- 09 3.3 2010 -- 11 3.4 2012 3.5 2013 3.6 2014 3.7 2015 3.8 2016 3.9 2017 3.10 2018 4 International career 5 Skills profile 5.1 Defense, pitch calling, throwing and hands 5.2 Batting 6 Awards and accomplishments 6.1 Records 6.2 Statistical achievements 7 Personal life 8 See also 9 References 9.1 Footnotes 9.2 Source notes 10 External links Early life Yadier Benjamín Molina was born on July 13, 1982, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, to Gladys Matta and Benjamín Molina, Sr., the youngest of three boys. He attended Maestro Ladislao Martínez High School in Vega Alta. As baseball in Puerto Rico is a significant part of the island 's culture, Molina 's father played second base as an amateur and worked as a tools technician ten hours per day in a Westinghouse factory. The all - time hits leader in Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente ( or Doble - A Beísbol ) history, the elder Molina delivered a. 320 career batting average and gained election to the Puerto Rican baseball hall of fame in 2002. Yadier 's two older brothers, Bengie and José, also materialized into distinguished defensive catchers with lengthy careers in Major League Baseball ( MLB ), and each of the three won at least one World Series championship. Each day when he completed work, Molina directly went home, ate dinner with his family and crossed the street from his family 's home with his sons to Jesús Mambe Kuilan Park, exhausting countless evening hours teaching them the fundamentals of the sport. He remained hopeful that his sons would become professional baseball players. Molina 's catching aptitude showed as early as age five and developed quickly. Nonetheless, he developed great competence in playing all over the baseball field, and as older brother Bengie recalled, always seemed to `` be the first player taken in the youth league draft. '' Molina concentrated on infield positions until about age 16, when he began developing into the familiar Molina physique ; as of 2013, he stood 5'11 '' and weighed 220 pounds. Molina 's father also sought to accelerate him on the diamond. 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. Against the wishes of coaches, family members and friends, he scheduled Yadier for a workout with the Hatillo Tigres, an amateur league team. Molina made the team after a single workout and immediately became the starting catcher. The Tigres ' first baseman, Luís Rosario, was the one who recommended him to the organization. The Tigres played in a league composed mainly of players ten or more years older than Molina, well before he was eligible for the MLB draft. Scouting and minor leagues Minnesota Twins scout Edwin Rodríguez followed and scrutinized Molina starting in high school. He observed that Molina 's skills closely resembled that of both his older brothers -- both accomplished major league catchers -- and decided that his defense was `` polished '' enough to be considered more advanced than most high schoolers in the United States. However, Molina 's hitting lagged behind his defense. The initial report on his skill set was `` defensive catcher, great arm, weak bat '' ; his closest comparable hitter as catcher was one who the Cardinals eventually placed at the top of their organizational ladder, and his future manager, Mike Matheny. Before he was drafted, Molina worked out for the Cincinnati Reds. He put on a spectacle at Riverfront Stadium with his arm and bat that grabbed the attention of executives, scouts, and prominent former Reds players, including Johnny Bench and Bob Boone. As Molina recalled, he left the session with the impression that Cincinnati intended to draft him. Undeterred by the universal reservations about his offensive ceiling, the St. Louis Cardinals instead took Molina in the fourth round of the 2000 MLB draft and signed him for $325,000. `` I saw the kid that 's going to steal my job. '' -- Mike Matheny, when he was still the Cardinals ' starting catcher, to his wife, on Molina in 2001 The Cardinals invited Molina to major league spring training camp following his draft. Although described as `` raw, '' the young catcher purposed with fascination to emulate Matheny. At one point in that extended spring training, instructor Dave Ricketts observed Molina from a golf cart during a game as he was still learning how to catch ; he had been transitioning from third base. After allowing a passed ball through his legs with a runner on third base, Molina raced to the backstop to retrieve the ball. Still hoping to prevent the runner from scoring, he instead found Ricketts in the golf cart parked on top of home plate. Ricketts had a reputation for becoming upset when minor league catchers allowed balls to bounce between their legs ; for this, he removed Molina from the game and drove him to the batting cage. There, Ricketts batted 150 to 200 ground balls, as Molina estimated, to improve the young catcher 's ability to block pitches. Molina began his professional career with the Johnson City Cardinals of the Rookie - level Appalachian League in 2001, playing 44 total games and batting. 259. He advanced one level in each of four seasons in the minor leagues. Even without highly developed offensive skills, Molina proved difficult to strike out. Mainly a singles hitter who favored hitting the ball the other way, he batted. 278 with 14 home runs and 133 runs batted in ( RBI ) with 118 strikeouts in 1,044 at bats in four minor league seasons. In his first three seasons, he threw out 111 base runners attempting to steal while allowing 133 stolen bases, for a caught - stealing percentage of 45 %. St. Louis Cardinals ( 2004 -- present ) 2004 -- 06 Molina 's first chance in the Major Leagues arrived when incumbent Matheny went on the disabled list ( DL ) with a strained rib in the Cardinals ' pennant - winning season of 2004. Molina made his Major League debut on June 3. One of his first game - winning hits occurred on August 7. He stroked a broken - bat single to shallow center field in the bottom of the ninth inning against the New York Mets. 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. By the time Cameron charged the ball, it was too late ; it fell in for a hit, and Jim Edmonds was able to score. Three weeks later ( August 29 ), the Cardinals were victorious over the Pittsburgh Pirates 6 -- 4 thanks in part to two separate plays in which Molina tagged out the runner at home plate, including a collision with Ty Wigginton. Molina appeared in 51 regular - season games and batted. 267 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 151 plate appearances. He made an immediate impact with his arm, throwing out more than 50 % percent of would - be basestealers ( nine of 17 ). In the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, manager Tony La Russa elected to start Molina over Matheny in Game 4. The Red Sox swept the Cardinals and claimed the title that game, their first in 86 years. The following offseason, Matheny signed a three - year, $10.5 - million contract with the San Francisco Giants, clearing the way for Molina to become the Cardinals ' starting catcher. In 2005, Molina struggled with injuries and saw a drop off in the offensive performance in his rookie season. He doubled and scored on David Eckstein 's go - ahead single on his way to three hits in a June 12 defeat of the New York Yankees, 5 -- 3. Molina returned from a 33 - game absence on August 19 induced by a hairline fracture of his left fifth metacarpal bone from being hit by a pitch on July 7. Starting pitcher Chris Carpenter, attempting to extend a winning streak to ten games on an August 20 game versus the San Francisco Giants, found himself in a 4 -- 0 deficit in the ninth inning. Capped by Molina 's three - run home run, the Cardinals rallied and won 5 -- 4 in the ninth. The next day, Molina 's suicide squeeze bunt scored Mark Grudzielanek, tying the game and allowing the Cardinals to win 4 -- 2. Those were just two wins of 100 as St. Louis made their way to another division title following 105 wins the season before. In 114 games, Molina posted a. 252 batting average with eight home runs and 49 RBI with just 30 strikeouts in 421 plate appearances. Defensively, he registered career - highs of nine pickoffs and a caught - stealing percentage of 64 from throwing out 25 of 39 would - be basestealers. According to Baseball-Reference.com, as of 2013, that percentage ranked as the 26th highest all - time season - single caught stealing percentage. Since 1957, only Mike LaValliere 's 1993 figure of 72.7 % was higher. Before the 2006 season commenced, Molina participated in the inaugural World Baseball Classic ( WBC ) for Puerto Rico. After returning to the Cardinals, he changed his jersey number from 41 to 4. However, the regular season presented some of his greatest offensive challenges as he struggled through a career - worst. 216 batting average in 461 regular - season plate appearances. 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 low batting average was due in part to a deflated batting average on balls in play ( BABIP ) of. 226 ( normal is around. 300 ), a career low. In a May 27 game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego with the Cardinals holding a 4 -- 3 lead in the bottom of the ninth, Molina picked Brian Giles off first to end the game, the first pickoff to end a major league game in nearly four years. The Cardinals faced the Padres again in the National League Division Series ( NLDS ) playoff game in the playoffs, he again picked a Padre off at first, this time Mike Piazza, while bailing pitcher Jeff Suppan out of a jam. For the season, he caught 41 % of all base - stealing attempts and picked off seven runners. Even as his bat languished, Molina 's defense was instrumental in propelling the Cardinals to the National League Central division crown in a season heavily marred by injuries for the team. However, the following playoffs marked a turning point in his career offensive output. He posted a. 358 composite batting average,. 424 on - base percentage ( OBP ), two home runs and eight RBI in 16 games as the Cardinals reached the World Series. He batted. 308 in the National League Division Series ( NLDS ),. 348 in the National League Championship Series ( NLCS ) and. 412 in the World Series. One of Molina 's landmark playoff performances came in Game 7 of the NLCS against the New York Mets, the final game of the series tied at three games each. Starting in the top of the ninth, he batted with a 1 -- 1 score. In the sixth inning, Mets left fielder Endy Chávez had prevented the Cardinals from taking the lead when he leapt to catch Scott Rolen 's near - miss home run over the center field fence. This time, however, Molina hit a two - run home run off Aaron Heilman over left field that was too high for Chávez to catch and gave the Cardinals a 3 -- 1 edge. In the bottom of the ninth, rookie pitcher Adam Wainwright -- filling in as emergency closer -- found himself in a two - out, bases - loaded situation against center fielder Carlos Beltrán, who had already homered three times in the NLCS. Molina called for a mound conference. Initially, he wanted a sinker from Wainwright but changed his mind because he suspected Wainwright would overthrow it and give Beltrán an easy pitch to hit. Molina made an unconventional choice by calling for a changeup to start the sequence against Beltrán. It was called for a strike. Had Beltrán 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. Molina then called for two curveballs. Beltrán fouled off the first, but Wainwright struck him out looking at a `` bender that started up and away and bit hard to the low inside corner '' for the final out of the game. The Cardinals ' conquest of the NLCS gave them a return trip to the World Series after two years. They proceeded to defeat the Detroit Tigers in five games, giving Molina his first championship ring. His mask was turned in for display at the Baseball Hall of Fame. 2007 -- 09 Molina interacting with his brother Bengie in a 2007 game, the first time they faced each other in the Major Leagues Batting out of the number - five spot in the batting order for the first time in his career on Opening Day, 2007, Molina collected two hits. In a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 15, Molina picked Prince Fielder off first base as he leaned far off the bag, tipping off Molina and first baseman Albert Pujols to a hit and run the Brewers were planning. Four days later, Molina faced his brother Bengie for the first time in a game against the San Francisco Giants. It was also the first time they had seen each other in about three and one - half years. From May 1 to May 24, Molina strung together a then - career high 15 - game hitting streak, during which he batted. 373. It was the longest streak for a Cardinals catcher since Erik Pappas ' 16 - game streak in 1993. Molina was absent for most of the month of June due of a fractured left wrist. In the third inning of the May 29 game against Colorado, he took a foul tip off his wrist from Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe 's bat. After missing 26 games, the Cardinals activated him from the disabled list on June 28. The first multi-error game of Molina 's career occurred July 13 against the Philadelphia Phillies on a catch and throw. In a span of 11 starts from August 2 -- 16, he racked up four three - hit games. On August 16, he hit two home runs against the Brewers for his first career multi-homer game. Molina homered and stroked the go - ahead double in an August 22 defeat of Florida. 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 11 -- 3 victory on September 2. On Yadier Molina Bobblehead Night September 19 versus Philadelphia, he stroked three hits including the game - winning single in the tenth inning. Molina suffered a concussion in September and underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. The knee surgery ended his season early on September 24. In Molina 's final 50 games, he successfully collected 49 hits in 158 AB for a. 310 AVG. Of his final 35 starts, 12 were multi-hit games. His. 281 batting average after the All - Star break ranked fifth among NL catchers. He finished the season with a new career - best. 275 batting average, six home runs, and 40 RBI in 111 games. He threw out 50 % ( 23 of 46 ) baserunners attempting to steal, the highest percentage in the majors. From 2005 -- 07, he led all MLB with a 47 % caught - stealing rate and 18 pick - offs. On January 14, 2008, Molina and the Cardinals agreed to a four - year, $15.5 million deal with a club option for a fifth, cementing his position as their starting catcher. He reported to spring training having lost 15 pounds and in improved physical shape from rehabilitating following knee surgery. He started the season with an Opening Day home run and seven - game hitting streak. After a home plate collision with Eric Bruntlett on June 15 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning, Molina sustained head and neck injuries and was removed from the field on a stretcher. There were no indications of a concussion. He held on to the ball to help the Cardinals win. He missed the next four games. To that point, Molina was batting. 295 with three home runs and 24 RBI. He also had thrown out 10 of 32 baserunners ( 31.3 % ) -- well below his career average of 45 % -- but an Associated Press reporter attributed the decline to an inexperienced pitching staff. Molina returned to the field against Boston at Fenway Park as the designated hitter. In that game, his solo home run provided the difference in a 5 -- 4 Cardinals victory. It was also the first game of the first of two 13 - game hitting streaks for the season. His first career start at first base, also against Boston, occurred two days later. During that streak, he collected 17 hits in 47 at - bats for a. 362 batting average. The second hitting streak spanned from August 16 to September 2, where he successfully hit 19 times in 50 at bats for a. 380 average. On September 2, he and Felipe López hit consecutive home runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks en route to an 8 -- 2 victory. Overall, Molina enjoyed a breakout offensive season, finishing with new career highs with a. 304 batting average -- his first over. 300 -- and in hits ( 135 ), OBP (. 349 ), SLG (. 392 ), runs ( 37 ) and RBI ( 56 ). Of all catchers in franchise history with at least 450 PA in a season, he became just the second ever, after Simmons, to bat over. 300 ; it was then the fourth - best season batting average ; and, his 29 strikeouts were the fewest since Simmons fanned 20 times in 1976. Molina led the team and was sixth in the NL with a. 340 batting average with runners in scoring position. For the season, he successfully caught 35 % of opposing baserunners, still higher than the league average of 27 %. He led all MLB with seven pickoffs. That November, Molina received his first Gold Glove Award, becoming the third Cardinal catcher ever to win the honor, after Tom Pagnozzi and Matheny. Before the 2009 season commenced, Molina participated with Puerto Rico in his second WBC. When the event concluded, he returned to the Cardinals. In an April 16 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he reached base in all five of his plate appearances in a 12 -- 7 victory. Starting pitcher Joel Piñeiro -- struggling with his fastball command in previous starts -- experimented with a sinker and shut out the New York Mets on June 24 with just two hits. Molina erased a Mets runner by throwing out Luis Castillo attempting to steal second base. Molina was batting. 278 with five home runs and 25 RBI through July 5, 2009. He was selected through fan vote to represent the Cardinals in the All - Star Game in St. Louis ' Busch Stadium -- his first All - Star Game. As the top vote - getter among NL catchers with 2,641,467 votes, Molina was named the NL 's starting catcher. He caught eight innings and drove home a run. Following the All - Star break on July 18, Molina 's four hits and Albert Pujols ' two home runs helped cap Chris Carpenter 's 6 -- 1 victory over the Diamondbacks, who pitched around nine runners on base in eight innings. On August 15, Molina picked off San Diego 's Kevin Kouzmanoff at first on the way to a 7 -- 4 victory, the 33rd of his career. At that point, Bill James Online rated that Molina saved his team fifteen total runs from pickoffs alone in his career. A sore left knee sustained after taking a foul ball of his kneecap temporarily disabled Molina on September 26. He was back in action on October 1 against Cincinnati, although he was removed from that game due to a `` tweaked '' knee. He finished the season with a. 293 batting average, six home runs, 54 RBI, and a major league - leading 136 games caught, the highest franchise total since Ted Simmons ' total in 1977. His strikeout rate of once every 13.9 PA was the second - lowest in the NL. While accumulating 39 mult - hit games, the Cardinals won 27 of them. He led the major leagues with eight pickoffs and was second in the NL in innings caught. He also won his second Gold Glove award after the season. The Sporting News announced that major league managers and coaches had selected Molina for the magazine 's end - of - season All - Star award. For the first time in his career, Molina earned Most Valuable Player Award ( MVP ) consideration. He finished tied for 23rd with Miguel Tejada with one percent of the vote share. 2010 -- 11 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. On April 17, he caught all 20 innings of a game against the Mets. Molina turned in a productive April, driving in 15 runners, the most for a Cardinals catcher in the month of April since Ted Simmons drove in 20 in 1977. He also continued his productivity with the bases loaded that month, collecting four hits and 11 RBI in five at bats. Before the All - Star break, Molina batted just. 223. However, he was voted to start his second consecutive game, and second overall, and played four innings. After the All - Star break, his hitting improved, as he stroked 63 hits in 200 at bats for. 315 batting average. During a game against the Cincinnati Reds on August 10, as second baseman Brandon Phillips came to bat, he exchanged words with Molina that escalated to a bench - clearing confrontation, although no one was ejected. On September 17, he amassed a career - high five RBI and career - tying four hits against San Diego, including two doubles. After an examination on his sore right knee on September 23, Molina was shut down for the rest of the season, missing 12 games. The final batting results for Molina 's 2010 season consisted of a. 262 batting average, six home runs, and 62 RBI. He ranked as the fourth toughest in the NL to strike out with 10.2 at bats per strikeout. He led all NL catchers in at - bats ( 465 ) and stolen bases ( eight ), and his 122 hits ranked second, just behind Brian McCann 's 123. He was tops in the NL with 24 bases - loaded RBI, collecting eight hits in 15 AB for a. 533 batting average in those situations. He also was first in the Majors with a. 455 batting average ( 10 -- 22 ) on 0 -- 2 counts. He led all MLB catchers in innings ( 1138.0 ), games started ( 130 ) and assists ( 79 ), and led the NL for the third time in caught - stealing percentage at 49 %. On November 1, he won his fourth consecutive Fielding Bible Award as the sole catcher. In addition, Molina became the first player at any position to win the award unanimously with a perfect score of 100. Nine days later, he was awarded his third consecutive Gold Glove Award. With increased offensive productivity in 2011, Molina continued to help anchor the middle of Cardinals lineup in addition to the pitching staff and defense. From May 15 to May 18, he put together four consecutive multi-hit games. Selected to his third consecutive All - Star Game, he substituted for the starter, McCann, played four innings and doubled in his only at - bat. Molina hit safety in 14 consecutive games from July 21 to August 11, one fewer than his career high. From July 22 -- 25, he homered in three consecutive games, the second time in his career he had done so. On August 2, Molina was ejected from a game against the Milwaukee Brewers for arguing a called strike. He bumped umpire Rob Drake in the chest multiple times and appeared to spit upon him. Molina later apologized, stating that he did not intend to spit on the umpire and that he `` was caught up in the moment. That 's what happens when you 're caught up in the race and trying to win. I did n't handle it the right way. '' He served a five - game suspension handed down by MLB for `` making contact with umpire Rob Drake multiple times and spraying him with spit twice while arguing. '' Although the Cardinals stayed competitive, they were, at best, on the fringes of making the playoffs through August. As of August 28, with a 70 -- 64 record, they faced a ​ 10 ⁄ - game deficit to the Braves for the wild card playoff berth with 28 left to play. Molina provided a spark to the offense in the close of the season, batting. 342 in August and. 341 in September. With his 30th double on September 21, he became the fourth catcher in Cardinals history to reach that milestone, following Simmons, Bob O'Farrell and Walker Cooper. St. Louis won 20 of 28 games to finish the season, allowing them to tie the Braves for the wild card lead going into the final day. Molina caught Carpenter 's 8 -- 0 shutout of the Astros, the final game of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Philles defeated the Braves 4 -- 3 in 13 innings, giving the Cardinals the wild card title and eliminating the Braves from the playoffs. The ​ 10 ⁄ games - won deficit marked the largest lead surrendered with 28 left to play in MLB history, consummating what St. Louis Post-Dispatch sportswriter Bernie Miklasz termed an `` improbable comeback, '' and one of the greatest sports history. It was just the first in a series of improbable comebacks for the Cardinals in 2011. Molina compiled a. 305 batting average, 32 doubles, 14 home runs and 65 RBI during the 2011 regular season. His batting average led the Cardinals and was eighth in the NL. However, his posted a career - low 29 % caught - stealing percentage. His OPS+ ( 126 ), batting average, and hit totals led NL catchers, doubles placed second and RBI third. His. 337 batting average following the All - Star Break tied for seventh in the NL. He also led all NL catchers with 12 three - hit games, and collated 39 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI games. By making the playoffs, Molina became the first catcher in franchise history to appear in five postseasons for the Cardinals. He batted. 333 in the NLCS against Milwaukee, including five hits in eight AB in the final two games. In Game 1 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers, Molina threw out Ian Kinsler attempting to steal in the first inning on the way to a 3 -- 2 win. It was the Rangers ' only attempted steal of the game. That caught stealing gave Molina five in seven total chances in the 2011 postseason to that point ; the Rangers had been tied with the Cardinals for most steals in that postseason. For the series, the Rangers attempted to steal four bases and were successful just once. In Game 3, Molina accumulated four RBI, and two more each in Games 6 and 7. The Cardinals won the Series in seven games, giving Molina his second championship ring. He batted. 333 and set a team World Series record with nine RBI. It was the highest World Series RBI total among catchers since Sandy Alomar, Jr., drove in 10 in 1997. Molina started all 18 games and played every inning in that 2011 playoff run, including one at first. Overall, he batted. 299 with five doubles and 12 RBI. His 20 hits were the most by a catcher in the postseason since Iván Rodríguez stroked 21 in 2003. On November 1, Molina won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award, becoming just the fifth catcher on a pennant - winning club to lead his position in OPS+ in his league while winning a Gold Glove. He also won the first - ever National League Rawlings Platinum Glove Award, bestowed upon one player in each league. For the second time in his career, he won MVP consideration ; he finished tied for 21st for the NL MVP balloting. 2012 On March 1, 2012, Molina signed a five - year extension with the Cardinals worth $75 million through 2017. The contract included a $1 million signing bonus, no - trade clause, and a mutual option for 2018 worth another $15 million. The deal made him the second - highest - paid catcher in the majors. He collected his tenth career four - hit game against the Brewers on April 29 with a two - run home run that led the Cardinals to a 7 -- 3 win. On May 1, Molina mounted the first of two two - stolen base games of the season ; the other occurred August 3. On May 27 against the Phillies, Molina blasted his third career grand slam against Roy Halladay. His made his 1,000 th career appearance in an MLB game against the Chicago White Sox on June 12. From July 25 to August 7, he maintained a season - best 11 - game hitting streak in which he batted. 413. In a game against Pittsburgh at PNC Park on August 28, he sustained head, neck and back injuries -- although no concussion -- in a second - inning home plate collision with second baseman Josh Harrison. In August, he batted. 403 with a. 453 OBP, both tied for third in the NL. As the season progressed, he garnered widespread consideration for the National League MVP award. On September 4, Molina collected his 1,000 th career hit, an infield single against the Mets at home in the second inning. 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. He set new career highs in multiple offensive categories, including a. 315 batting average, 22 home runs, 76 RBI, 65 runs scored,. 373 OBP,. 501 slugging percentage and 12 stolen bases. He led the team in batting average for the second straight season, thus becoming the first catcher in franchise history to do so. Panning Molina 's performance National League - wide, he ranked fourth batting, tenth in OBP, 14th in SLG and tied for 18th with 46 multihit games. He led NL catchers in stolen bases and set a Cardinals single - season record for catchers, and ranked second among NL catchers in HR and third in RBI and batting average. An aggressive hitter, he batted. 380 with seven HR on the first pitch ; the HR total on first pitches ranked seventh in the NL. His 32 baserunners caught stealing topped MLB, 47.9 caught stealing percentage ranked second, and three pickoffs tied for first in the NL and were second in MLB. 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. He became just the ninth MLB catcher to post a season with a weighted runs created ( WRC+ ) factor of 140 and 45 percent of runners caught stealing. At 143, his WRC+ was tied for eighth all - time among catchers with at 45 % of base runners caught stealing. Further, those figures aligned with peak seasons of other catchers such as Johnny Bench, Elston Howard, Carlton Fisk, and Rick Wilkins. After being the subject of much speculation for the MVP award throughout the season, Molina ultimately finished fourth. However, he did win the prestigious and oldest award given to Latino players : the LatinoMVP award given by Latino Sports and the Latino Sports Writers & Broadcasters Association ( LSWBA ). He and winner Buster Posey became the first pair of catchers to finish in the top four in the award 's 88 - year history. However, like in years past, other awards were on their way. In November, he won his fifth straight Gold Glove award, making him the first Cardinal since Jim Edmonds to win that many consecutively, which Edmonds did in 2004. On December 4, he won his first GIBBY Award for Defensive Player of the Year. The St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers ' Association of America ( BBWAA ) named him the St. Louis Baseball Man of the Year for 2012. In a Los Angeles Times report that published the top MLB jersey sales from the All - Star break until October 1, his jersey ranked 18th. 2013 Molina rounds third, St. Louis, 2013 With increased profile coming in conjunction with his offensive breakout from the year before, Molina 's popularity with fans around the game also increased. 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. On June 2 he was ejected by 1st base umpire Clint Fagan for throwing his helmet. Molina collected two doubles in a three - hit game on June 12, giving him 21 doubles for the season, a pre-All - Star break career high. It was also the second - highest pre-All - Star break total in franchise history following Ted Simmons ' 29 thirty - five years earlier. That three - hit game also gave Molina 78 for his career, tied for 43 on the all - time list for catchers. Through July 15, Molina led the NL with a. 341 ( 110 hits in 323 at - bats ) batting average. In the final All - Star Game balloting, Molina ( 6,883,258 votes ) edged out Posey ( 6,474,088 ) for the role of the NL 's starting catcher in the game held at Citi Field in Queens, New York City. The Cardinals placed Molina on the 15 - day disabled list on July 31 due to a right knee sprain. At the time he went on the DL, Molina was batting. 330 with eight homers, thirty doubles, and 54 RBI. A magnetic resonance image ( MRI ) indicated inflammation but no structural damage, so the knee was drained of excess fluid buildup and Molina was given a cortisone injection. The knee injury impacted his batting average, contributing to a late - season slump. On September 16, Molina collected four hits with three runs scored to help the Cardinals to a 12 -- 2 win over the Seattle Mariners and break an 0 -- 15 slump, raising his batting average to. 317. Eight days later, Molina was behind the plate to call rookie Michael Wacha 's one - hit, 8 ​ ⁄ innings of shutout work in a 2 -- 0 victory over the Washington Nationals. It was actually a no - hitter through that point until Ryan Zimmerman broke it up with a high - bouncing ground ball that glanced off Wacha 's glove for the Nationals ' only hit of the game. For the year, Molina set new career highs in batting average (. 319 ), doubles ( 44 ), runs scored ( 68 ), and RBI ( 80 ). He also hit. 373 with runners in scoring position ( RISP ) in a season in which the Cardinals set the all - team team record for batting average with RISP at. 330. He finished fourth in the NL in batting average, second in doubles and sixth in batting average with RISP. His 44 doubles were the most in the Major Leagues among catchers since Iván Rodríguez ' 47 in 1996. Molina was also noted for his handling of the pitching staff. The Cardinals overcame losing key pitchers Chris Carpenter, Jason Motte, and Jaime García -- among others -- early in the season by substituting twelve rookie pitchers en route to winning a competitive NL Central division title over the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds ( each team finished with at least 90 wins ). 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. The rookies ' 36 wins were the most in franchise history since 1941. The Cardinals squared off against the Pirates in the NLDS. Two weeks removed from just missing a no - hitter, Wacha again nearly repeated the feat with Molina behind the plate in an elimination game, Game 4. Molina threw out pinch runner Josh Harrison attempting to steal second base in the eighth inning to help the Cardinals preserve a 2 -- 1 lead. In the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, Molina became just the ninth player -- and the first in the expansion era -- in franchise history to appear in four World Series with the club, and the first since Stan Musial in the 1946 World Series, also against the Red Sox. Molina collected more awards following the season, including his first Silver Slugger Award, sixth Gold Glove, and a third - place finish in MVP voting. Molina was a co-winner, along with Wainwright and Matt Carpenter, for the BBWAA St. Louis Baseball Man of the Year. 2014 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. On the 2014 Opening Day -- the same day Sports Illustrated published the Molina cover edition -- he stroked his second season - entry home run and the 90th of his career, accounting for the difference in a 1 -- 0 defeat of the Reds in Cincinnati. It also secured the 100th win for batterymate Adam Wainwright. Molina added a single for two of the Cardinals ' five hits. With a one ball, two strike pitch from relief pitcher Randy Choate incoming to Cubs outfielder Nate Schierholtz in a May 4 game, the batter foul tipped the pitch. Instead of Molina being in a position to catch it cleanly with his glove, the ball hit the thigh. Molina instantly hunched over the ball, trapping it between the thigh and rib cage. He held on, qualifying it as a third strike. `` Do you want another St. Louis Cardinals catcher to star in an All Star game ? Is n't there a better way ? Cast a ballot for change. Cardinals fans need to know that enough is enough. '' -- Brad Weimer, the creator for Jonathan Lucroy 's All - Star voting advertisement, intended to take votes away from Molina With the All - Star Game nearing, Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy aired a satirical television commercial in the style of a political advertising campaign on June 17 to outgain Molina in the All - Star voting totals. The voice - over narrator posed the question, `` Do you want another St. Louis Cardinals catcher to star in an All Star game ? Is n't there a better way ? Cast a ballot for change. Cardinals fans need to know that enough is enough. '' At that point, Molina led the vote total for NL catchers with more than two million, while Posey was second at 1.4 million and Lucroy third with 1.1 million. Some, including Matheny, took the message literally. However, Brad Weimer, the advertisement 's creator, confirmed the humor was meant to be tongue - in - cheek. 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. His season was interrupted on July 9 against the Pirates. While sliding past third base, he attempted to grab the bag to stay on. However, during the play, he injured his right thumb. An MRI revealed torn ligaments, requiring surgery and forcing him to miss the next eight to 12 weeks. Regarding the injury as having a significance impact on the Cardinals ' season, St. Louis Post-Dispatch sportswriter Bernie Miklasz commented, `` Losing the best catcher in the world for the next 8 to 12 weeks with a torn thumb ligament is a horrendous, demoralizing setback for the Cardinals. This could be a season - ending injury. '' At that point, he was batting. 287 with a. 341 OBP,. 409 SLG, 16 doubles, seven homers, and 30 RBI through 83 games. He also led MLB with a 49 caught - stealing percentage. He returned from the DL ahead of schedule, about seven weeks and 40 games missed after the injury, and was activated August 29 before a series against the Cubs. However, he still had not fully recovered, as he batted. 250 in September with a pronounced drop in power production. His 110 appearances were his fewest since his rookie season in 2004. He finished the season with a. 282 batting average, seven HR, 38 RBI, 21 doubles, a. 333 OBP and. 386 SLG, all lower totals than 2013, and many since 2010. 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. During Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Wainwright hit Adrian Gonzalez with a pitch, and both benches cleared. Umpire Jerry Meals attempted to get between Gonzalez and Molina, but Molina briefly shoved Meals. MLB fined Molina $5,000 without suspending him. In Game 2 of the NLCS against the Giants, Molina collected his 89th career hit in the postseason, passing Pujols for the franchise record. However, he sustained his second significant injury of the season in that same game, straining his left abdominal oblique muscle during another at bat, due in part to compensation in his swing for lost power following his thumb injury earlier in the season. After missing the next game, his string of 83 consecutive playoff games started was stopped, which was a major league record. The last playoff game he had not started was Game 3 of the 2004 World Series. On November 4, Molina was announced as winning his seventh consecutive Gold Glove, tying Boone as having won the third-most Gold Gloves among catchers. Further, only Bench and Rodríguez had won more consecutive ( 10 each ) as catchers in major league history. He won the National League Platinum Glove award on November 8, his third time in the award 's first four years. 2015 Yadi fist bumps the temporary catcher in 2016 With his 11th consecutive Opening Day start on April 5, 2015, against the Cubs, Molina became the first catcher in club history to achieve this feat. On May 10 against the Pirates, he was on the dubious end of a piece of MLB history : lining out into the first `` 4 -- 5 -- 4 '' triple play in MLB history. Second baseman Neil Walker caught his line drive with two runners on, then threw to third baseman Jung - ho Kang to double up Jhonny Peralta for the second out. Kang briefly pirouetted the ball in his hand, albeit confused, but threw back to Walker to tag Jason Heyward for the third out. Molina 's first home run of the season and first in 95 games occurred against the Minnesota Twins on June 15 ; his previous home run dated back to June 27, 2014. On July 7, he was selected to his seventh consecutive All - Star Game, played at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. In the Reds ' clubhouse for the All - Star Game, Molina shared a locker with Reds ' second baseman Brandon Phillips. Since the brawl between the Cardinals and Reds in 2010, the two mended their schism, and Molina has a photograph of their families together. When informed whose locker he was using, Molina replied, `` This is Phillips ' locker ? How about that ? I 'll have to write something to him. '' While the pregame roster introductions were made, Reds fans booed all six Cardinals players who were selected, and even former Cardinal Albert Pujols. When Molina was introduced, he smiled and turned and pointed his thumbs toward the back of his jersey. Pujols provided levity when he then joined in the booing. After the game, Molina remarked to reporters, `` when you spend 12 years coming to Cincinnati and you beat them so many times, they 're going to boo you. '' In his career to that point, he hit. 319 with a. 352 on - base percentage and. 500 slugging percentage in 270 career at - bats at Great American Ball Park. Hitting his first triple in more than four years and 2,000 at bats, with the bases loaded, Molina provided the decisive run in a 3 -- 2 outcome against the Chicago White Sox on July 22. 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. His 100th career home run was well - timed, becoming the game - winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on August 19 in a 4 -- 3 win over San Francisco. After sustaining an injury to his left thumb during a September 20 game against the Cubs, an MRI revealed a partial ligament tear, preventing him from playing. Molina won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove Award and fourth Platinum Glove Award in 2015. In December, it was revealed that Molina had a second surgery on his left thumb, pushing his return to late in 2016 spring training. He was winner of the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award. 2016 Molina digging for third in 2016. At age 33, Molina broke the Cardinals ' all - time games caught record on April 8, 2016, in his 1,440 th game, passing Ted Simmons ( 1968 -- 80 ). His 1,343 games started since the beginning of the 2005 season was the highest total in the major leagues. He made his 1,500 th career major league appearance on May 14 in a 5 -- 3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. While playing the Washington Nationals in the seventh inning of a 2 -- 1 loss at Nationals Park on May 26, Stephen Drew hit a high infield fly that stayed over the pitcher 's mound. With both Aledmys Díaz and Mike Leake attempting to catch the ball, Molina posited himself and waited. As the ball deflected off Díaz ' glove, he almost collided with Leake, but Molina instinctively moved his glove and caught the ball before it hit the ground. He recorded his 1,500 th career hit on July 2 against Milwaukee, becoming the 34th catcher in MLB history, and second for the Cardinals, after Simmons. Molina 's ninth - inning, RBI double, tied the July 27 game against the New York Mets at 4 − 4, ending Jeurys Familia 's consecutive - saves streak of 52, the third - longest in major league history. His tenth - inning double against Milwaukee on August 30, his 30th of the season and 300th of his career, helped lead the Cardinals to a 2 -- 1 victory. He caught a career - high 146 games. 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 RBI, and led all major league catchers with 164 hits and 38 doubles. His hit total was also a career - high, leading the club, and he was eighth in the league in batting and ninth in doubles. 2017 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. He agreed to a three - year contract extension for a reported $60 million, making him the highest - paid catcher in baseball. He was not interested in exercising his 2018 mutual option, which would have been worth $15 million. The extension assured Molina of remaining in St. Louis through 2020, and increases the chances that he will finish his career having played for just one organization, the one that drafted him. This distinction of having Molina retire as a Cardinal is something that carried weight for both parties throughout the negotiations. On June 26, Molina became the ninth catcher all - time to record 11,000 career putouts at the position. For the eighth time in his career, he was an All - Star selection, as resulted in a vote by fellow players. He homered, making him the oldest catcher to hit a homer in an All - Star Game, in his age - 34 season, and the first Cardinal to homer in an All - Star Game since Reggie Smith in 1974. On August 9 against the Kansas City Royals, Molina came in with two outs and the bases loaded. After drawing a 1 -- 0 count against Peter Moylan, a brief delay occurred when a stray kitten had made its way onto the outfield. On the very next pitch to Molina, he hit it 387 feet into the left field seats for a go - ahead grand slam. This was the fifth grand slam of his career, tying him with Tim McCarver for second-most career grand slams by a Cardinals catcher. This also proved to be the deciding hit in this game, as the Cardinals held up to win, 8 -- 5. On September 19, Molina tied Jim Bottomley ( 1922 -- 1932 ) for 10th place in Cardinals history with 1,727 hits. Molina led the team in 2017 with 134 hits and 78 RBI, and all NL catchers in both categories, entering play on that date. He broke the tie with Bottomley on September 20, with his 1,728 th hit, and tied his own career - high RBI total for a season with 80, reached in 2013. He passed 80 on September 21, with his 81st and 82nd RBI. He was the 2017 recipient of the Missouri Athletic Club 's Sports Personality of the Year Award. 2018 In January 2018, Molina expressed his plan to retire following the 2020 season when his contract would expire. As batterymates, Wainwright and Molina had accumulated more starts together than any other in franchise history. He passed Bench for two milestones early in the season : for 13th place in major league history in innings caught with ​ 14,494 ⁄ on April 14 while playing the Cincinnati Reds, and 16th in games caught versus with 1,743 on May 2 versus the Chicago White Sox. Molina doubled versus Cincinnati on April 22 to give him 338 for his career and tie Ozzie Smith for tenth place in Cardinals ' history. On May 5, Molina exited the game after a foul tip struck him in the groin. The next day, on May 6, Molina underwent emergency surgery for a pelvic injury with traumatic hematoma. The Cardinals activated Molina from the DL on June 5. 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. Molina homered twice in a loss to Philadelphia on June 20 for his fifth career multihomer game. He homered twice again on June 23 versus Milwaukee to fuel a 3 -- 2 win, giving him five home runs over his previous six games. Batting. 279 with 13 home runs, Molina was named to the 2018 MLB All - Star Game to replace the injured Buster Posey. He finished his 2018 campaign batting. 261 with twenty home runs and 74 RBIs in 123 games. International career Molina batting for the Puerto Rico national team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Four World Baseball Classic ( WBC ) tournaments have been held -- 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2017 -- and Molina has participated in all of them for the Puerto Rican team. He was fellow defensive standout Iván Rodríguez ' understudy in 2006 and 2009 and the primary catcher for the 2013 and 2017 squads. In his first classic in 2006, Molina played four games and collected three hits in five at - bats. In a 2009 tournament game against the Netherlands on March 9, Molina 's eighth - inning double keyed a rally in which Puerto Rico won 3 -- 1. Speaking the next day, Molina stated that the previous night 's double had been a bigger thrill than his two - run homer to beat the Mets in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. With Molina as the starting catcher in 2013, Puerto Rico earned the silver medal. Edwin Rodríguez, who had scouted Molina in Puerto Rico before the Cardinals signed him, became the manager for the 2013 squad. Shortly after learning he would be the 2013 manager, Rodríguez contacted Molina for input on constructing the roster. Molina prepared for the Classic by playing 14 games for the winter league team in Puerto Rico Rodríguez managed. Molina was voted on the All - World Baseball Classic team for the first time. In a 2013 semifinal game against Japan, Molina alertly took advantage of a baserunning mistake to record an unusual putout. With Shinnosuke Abe batting for Japan in the top of the eighth inning, and Hirokazu Ibata on second and Seiichi Uchikawa on first, J.C. Romero was pitching for Puerto Rico. Abe took a pitch from Romero inside for a ball as the runners went in motion. However, Ibata retreated to second as Uchikawa charged toward him. Instead of throwing and risking an error, Molina held on to the ball. He then chased Uchikawa, cornered him by positioning himself between first and second and tagged out Uchikawa -- an unassisted caught stealing. The Japanese later stated they were attempting to exploit Romero 's slow delivery. Puerto Rico advanced the finals again in 2017, falling to the United States 8 − 0 in earning their second consecutive silver medal, and only loss of the tournament. 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. 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. In the semifinal game against the Netherlands, he picked two runners off base in one inning. He was named the catcher of 2017 All - World Baseball Classic team, his second All - WBC honor. Also, the coaching staff often allowed him to conduct the preparation meetings, took his advice on construction of the starting rotation, and when to remove tiring pitchers. And also, September 10, 2018, he was selected MLB All - Stars at 2018 MLB Japan All - Star Series. Skills profile Defense, pitch calling, throwing and hands The winner of eight consecutive Gold Gloves, Molina has been widely praised for his preparation, defense and leadership, not just of the pitching staff, but also of the entire team. Fellow catchers Jorge Posada and Brian McCann stated in 2009 that Molina was `` the best defensive catcher in baseball ; '' Víctor Martínez also called him `` the best behind the plate. '' In 2013, a scout pronounced Molina the `` one piece the St. Louis Cardinals can not lose '' while another commented that he is `` irreplaceable. '' When the club did lose Molina midway through the 2014 season to a thumb injury, ESPN 's Keith Law tweeted, `` Yadier Molina missing two - plus months would be bad for the Cardinals, but also just bad for baseball, period. '' In his time in the major leagues, Molina has been widely viewed as evolving into a competitive influence and an unofficial, on - field coach. `` Yadier Molina missing two - plus months would be bad for the Cardinals, but also just bad for baseball, period. '' -- ESPN 's Keith Law on Molina missing time due to a thumb injury in 2014 As a part of his pre-game preparation, Molina meticulously studies and prepares for the upcoming game 's opposing hitters by creating a complete pitching and defensive plan. Other preparation includes handling ground balls at shortstop and third base, extending his agility for blocking pitches thrown in the dirt. According to former Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook, he was `` a part of every aspect of the game : starters, relievers, offense, defense. '' Advanced defensive metrics -- known as sabermetrics -- show he is a top defender among catchers in MLB history. Molina ranked second all - time among catchers at the end of the 2014 season on Baseball - Reference. com 's career defensive runs saved ( DRS ) with 120, behind only Iván Rodríguez ( 167 ), and ahead of Jim Sundberg ( 114 ), Bob Boone ( 107 ) and Gary Carter ( 106 ), the only catchers with over 100 on the list. He was the season leader in the NL every year from 2005 -- 14, except 2008 and 2011 -- 12. Fangraphs tallied his career DRS at 106, with a career - high of 20 in 2010. The sabremetric stat defensive wins above replacement ( DWAR ) has also ranked Molina 's defense highly ; he has never had a full season with a negative DWAR, and he had a career - high 2.9 DWAR in 2010. `` You do n't ever have to worry about bouncing a ball to Yadier. He 's a human vacuum behind the plate. The only thing you have to think about is making the pitch, because you know Yadi 's going to catch whatever you throw. '' -- Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright Molina is known for his in - game pitch - calling skills, and pitchers rarely reject signs that he shows for the next pitch. Matheny stated, `` We tell all our young pitchers when they come up to pitch their game. Yadi needs to find out how they work. He 's a quick study. But at the same time, they tend to just follow him. We do put them in Yadi 's hands. '' Molina reads opposing hitters and will move fielders with subtle signs and gestures to align them with his pitch calling. La Russa commented that `` it 's not just instinct. It 's sense, based on how a hitter 's standing, how he responds to the pitch or two before, and he 's very creative in how he makes his adjustment based on what he sees with the hitter and knowing what his pitcher can do. '' `` During the course of games, he would do something and I 'd go, ' I ca n't believe he did that. ' But it worked. 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. '' -- Dave Duncan, on Molina to Sports Illustrated in 2013 Baseball Prospectus estimated in 2013 that Molina saved 35 defensive runs per season through his pitch framing and had moved 301 out - of - zone pitches that were called strikes between April 1 and June 30, 2013. As of July 2013, Molina had also thrown out 45 % of would - be base stealers. At one time, an Arizona Diamondbacks official stated a team policy existed not to run on Molina. With pickoffs, Molina throws from behind left - handed batters to obfuscate the runner 's view of his motion to first base. Besides studying hitters at the plate, Molina also studies base runners to watch their decision - making process about stealing bases or when they are less guarded against a pickoff. He practices pickoff moves and coordinates signals with the first basemen to indicate when he is primed to move for a pickoff throw. In 2012, a Sports Illustrated poll of 306 players found that Molina was the `` toughest catcher to run on. '' Batting As the publication Viva El Birdos wrote, `` Yadier Molina broke into the majors as a light - hitting defensive specialist '', who hit mostly singles. Molina pushed to shed the light - hitter label he had in common with his brothers. A fidgeter with his batting stance early in his career, Molina mimicked and vacillated between more accomplished hitters such as Andrés Galarraga and Albert Pujols. However, it was a dip in his swing and an inability to get around on fastballs that sapped his efforts. Over time, with assistance of teammates such as Pujols, Molina found his comfortable stance, sounder mechanics and adopted a line - drive style of swing that eliminated the dip and helped him hit fastballs with more authority. Thus, he became a more consistent hitter as his career progressed, defying the scouting reports that he would have a weak bat. In combination with an improved his ability to pull the ball and hit it up the middle, he improved his batting average, batting. 293 or higher in five of his last six seasons. His line - drive pull percentage of 2009 -- 11 increased by about 6 % in 2012 -- 13 ; BABIP increased from. 280 in 2005 -- 10 to. 327 in 2011 -- 13 and pull weighted on - base average ( wOBA ) has increased from. 290 in 2009 to over. 520 in 2013. To keep his bat in the lineup but allow respite from the rigors of his in - game catching duties, Molina has occasionally started at first base. Aside from swinging with increased line - drive contact and hitting fastballs with more authority, very little has actually changed in the catcher 's approach. One trait that has always persisted is that Molina is an aggressive and free - swinging -- but high - contact -- hitter. Through 2012, he swung at more than 51 % percent of the pitches he saw -- he has a reputation for swinging at pitches in and out of the strike zone, low and away and even in toward his hands. Because of his free - swinging tendency, he naturally has a walk rate ( 7.1 % ) below the Major League average ( 8.4 % ). 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. Despite batting just. 238 in his first three seasons and. 240 after 1,000 at - bats, Molina increased his average to. 284 average after 3,983 at - bats ( 1,132 hits ) as of 2013 due in part to having only one season lower than. 293 from 2009 -- 13. He hit into 27 double plays in 2009, but in 2012 reduced that figure to ten. Molina 's home run and doubles rates also increased ; from 2011 -- 13, he hit 104 of his 226 career doubles. Awards and accomplishments Championships earned or shared Title Times Dates References National League champion 2004, 2006, 2011, 2013 World Series champion 2006, 2011 Award / honor Times Dates References All - World Baseball Classic Team 2013, 2017 Baseball America Toolbox Award for Best Defensive Catcher 2014, 2015 Baseball Writers ' Association of America St. Louis Baseball Man of the Year 2012, 2013 The Cardinal Nation / Scout.com St. Louis Cardinals Player of the Year 2012, 2013 Darryl Kile Good Guy Award 2015 Fielding Bible Award at catcher 6 2007 − 10, 2012, 2013 GIBBY / This Year in Baseball Award for Defensive Player of the Year 2012, 2013 Major League Baseball All - Star 9 2009 − 15, 2017 - 18 Rawlings Gold Glove Award at catcher 8 2008 − 15 Rawlings Platinum Glove Award 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 Silver Slugger Award at catcher 2013 The Sporting News National League All - Star at catcher 2009 Wilson Cardinals ' Defensive Player of the Year 2012, 2013 World Baseball Classic participant for Puerto Rico 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017 Records MLB records Consecutive playoff games started, 83 Platinum Glove awards won, 4 St. Louis Cardinals records Consecutive Opening Day starts at catcher, 14 ( 2005 -- 18 ) Consecutive seasons leading the team in batting average as catcher, 2 Gold Gloves won as catcher, 8 Defensive runs saved as catcher, 120 Playoff appearances as catcher, 8 Playoff hits for career, 89 Statistical achievements # of Times Dates All National League players Defensive Wins Above Replacement ( dWAR ) 6 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 Wins Above Replacement ( WAR ) 2012 National League top - five fielding leader as catcher Assists 8 ( 3 ) 2005 − 10, 2012, 2013 Caught stealing 7 2005 − 07, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017 Caught stealing percentage 10 ( 4 ) 2005 − 10, 2012 − 15 Double plays 6 ( 3 ) 2010, 2012 − 15, 2017 Errors 2005, 2008, 2017 Fielding percentage 7 ( 2 ) 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012 − 14, 2016 Games played 9 ( 6 ) 2006, 2009 − 13, 2015 − 17 Passed balls 4 ( 1 ) 2005, 2006, 2010, 2016 Putouts 7 ( 3 ) 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 Stolen bases allowed 2016 Total zone runs 12 ( 7 ) 2005 − 15, 2017 National League top - ten batting leader At bat - to - strikeout ratio 8 2008 − 13, 2015, 2016 Adjusted OPS 2012 Batting average 2011 − 13, 2016 Doubles 2013, 2016 Double plays grounded into 6 2007 − 11, 2016 Offensive WAR 2012 Sacrifice flies 2015, 2017 Notes : Bold -- league leader. Per Baseball-Reference.com. Personal life Molina resides in Vega Alta and stayed in Caseyville, Illinois, during the baseball season until 2015. He married his wife Wanda Torres in 2007 and the couple have three children. On September 4, 2008, they had a son named Yanuell ; on July 4, 2010, a daughter named Arianna ; and on February 6, 2016, a son named Daniel Benjamin. After signing his $75 million contract in 2012, Molina purchased a home on a four - acre property in Jupiter, Florida, for $7.15 million. 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. Molina 's charitable organization, named Foundation 4, has helped to raise donations for childhood cancer patients in Puerto Rico. Molina 's two older brothers, Bengie and José Molina, played a combined 28 seasons in the major leagues. Each of the three brothers has won at least one World Series ring, making them the only trio of brothers with such a distinction ( Bengie and José both won their first while with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 ). They are also the only trio of brothers to play as catchers in the major leagues. Of a total of nineteen trios of brothers who have played in the Major Leagues -- including the DiMaggios and the Cruzes -- only one other trio of brothers has all appeared in a World Series : Matty, Félipe and Jesús Alou. Even while the Molina brothers still lived in the United States playing professional baseball, their parents stayed in the same home near the park where the brothers grew up playing ball, Jesús Rivera Park. Benjamín Molina organized youth teams. On October 11, 2008, Molina 's father died from a heart attack. At the moment it occurred, he was tending to a baseball field that he had built for the youth in Bayamón. Spurred by absences from autograph shows for which he was paid to appear, Steiner Sports Marketing filed a lawsuit for $175,000 against Molina in the New York state supreme court in Manhattan on October 2, 2009. Steiner Sports allegedly paid him $90,640 in advance when they renewed their contract with him in July 2008. The firm stated that he ignored their agreement to make public and private appearances to sign autographs and did not return the money. Molina and wife, Wanda, started a GoFundMe page for victims of Hurricane Maria on September 21, 2017, with a goal of $1 million. It had raised $20,000 in seven hours. More than three million Puerto Ricans were left without power, and The New York Times had reported that over 95 % of cell service was unavailable. Molina reportedly owns a home in Vega Alta. Drone video on The Weather Channel described Bayamon as looking `` like a war zone. '' Former New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada had also launched a relief fundraiser for Puerto Rico. That effort had raised $76,000 of its $100,000 goal by late Thursday ( September 21 ) afternoon. Molina was named the 2018 Roberto Clemente Award winner for his efforts on October 24, 2018. See also Biography portal Baseball portal Puerto Rico portal List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a catcher leaders List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico List of Puerto Ricans List of St. Louis Cardinals team records St. Louis Cardinals award winners and league leaders References Footnotes Batting average on balls in play, or BABIP, is the calculation of the batting average of all playable batted balls only. It excludes strikeouts and home runs and includes sacrifice flies. This statistic is widely variable, as defense, `` luck '', and opposing team 's talent levels all affect BABIP. Most hitters ' BABIP falls within or close to the range of. 290 and. 300. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Molina 's career BABIP through 2013 was. 296. Weighted runs created plus ( wRC+ or WRC+ ) attempts to measure a hitter 's productivity in terms of a percentage relative to a league - adjusted average, scaled to the number 100 as the ballpark and league - adjusted average, and the percentage above or below average added to 100. It is a scale similar to OPS+. wRC+, based on runs created ( RC ) which statistician Bill James formulated, is a measurement of a theoretical number of runs a batter produces. Tom Tango evolved RC into weighted runs created ( wRC ), similar to wOBA, which weighs each type of hit separately, as explained in note ( e ). A group of rookie pitchers including Shelby Miller, Trevor Rosenthal, Kevin Siegrist, Carlos Martínez, Seth Maness and Michael Wacha proved key to the Cardinals ' 2013 Central division title run. Miller credited Molina 's leadership behind the plate and preparation : `` Yadi knows everything about every single hitter, exactly what to throw. If you execute your pitches and throw them where he wants the ball, you 're going to get hitters out, have a better ERA, win the game. I seriously believe that all the success I 've had is totally on him. '' A 4 -- 5 -- 4 play is a scenario involving the second baseman and third baseman. In the case of the triple play, the second baseman records an out, throws to the third baseman, who records a second out, and finally back to the second baseman, who records the third and final out of the inning, all in one play. Developed by the organization that awards The Fielding Bible, defensive runs saved ( DRS ) measures a player 's total defensive plays made in terms of numbers of runs above or below what the average player at that position made. A calculation system computes the number of plays made league - wide at each position and a plus - minus total rating for each player compared to a league average player. For example, if Molina made a play that only 20 % of catchers would make, he was credited with. 8 points -- or, 1 point minus. 20. If he failed to make a play that 75 % of catchers made, then. 75 points was subtracted from his score. Designed to rate a player 's overall batting production by assigning different weights to certain outcomes, wOBA takes into account singles, doubles, triples, home runs, hit by pitches, and unintentional walks. wOBA is based on the philosophy Tango developed that not all outcomes are proportionally weighted. 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. Further, wOBA finds that OBP is 1.8 times more valuable than slugging percentage. The weight of each outcome also varies from season to season. Source notes ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2013. Jump up ^ http://www.espn.com/blog/buster-olney/insider/post/_/id/16450/olney-yadier-molina-deserves-to-be-a-hall-of-famer ^ Jump up to : Foster, Chris ; Shaiken, Bill ( October 17, 2002 ). `` City of Brotherly Gloves ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 30, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Bernardino, Mike ( March 30, 2005 ). `` Catching Molina brothers wonder to behold ''. Fort Lauderdale Sun - Sentinel. Retrieved September 29, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Langosch, Jenifer ( October 21, 2013 ). `` Following Yadier Molina : Cardinals have best of best behind the plate ''. MLB.com. Retrieved November 25, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Berra, Lindsay ( August 10, 2009 ). `` Yadier Molina knows squat ''. ESPN The Magazine archives. Retrieved October 5, 2013. Jump up ^ Rosa, Carlos Rosa ( October 28, 2013 ). `` Precoz talento ''. El Nuevo Día ( in Spanish ). Retrieved December 5, 2013. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( June 10, 2013 ). `` Molina 's success long in the making ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 6, 2013. Jump up ^ Topkin, Marc ( February 21, 2012 ). `` Tampa Bay Rays already impressed with defense of new catcher José Molina ''. Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 26, 2013. Jump up ^ Adams, Russell ( October 14, 2005 ). `` Molina family has three catchers in playoffs ''. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 26, 2013. ^ Jump up to : McNeal, Stan ( May 1, 2013 ). `` Rock of St. Louis : Cardinals catcher irreplaceable ''. USA Today. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( July 9, 2013 ). `` When Molina met Bench, and more ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 30, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina profile ''. www.scout.com. Retrieved September 28, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Langosch, Jenifer ( October 13, 2012 ). `` Yadier Molina 's greatness started while emulating Mike Matheny ''. MLB.com. Retrieved October 5, 2013. Jump up ^ Rosenthal, Ken ( July 15, 2013 ). `` St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina works at his craft ''. Fox Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina minor league statistics & history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Jenkins, Lee ( August 8, 2004 ). `` Bloop freezes Cameron, Mets stuck in ice age ''. The New York Times. Retrieved September 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals tag Pirates ''. Deseret News. Associated Press. August 29, 2004. Retrieved September 28, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Newman, Mark ( October 27, 2004 ). `` World Series Game 4 hot sheet ''. www.boston.redsox.mlb.com. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Jump up ^ Shaughnessy, Dan ( October 28, 2004 ). `` YES ! ! ! Red Sox complete sweep, win first Series since 1918 ''. The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Jump up ^ Ortiz, Jorge ( December 14, 2004 ). `` Giants like Mike : Signing of Matheny to three - year deal improves defense ''. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` New York Yankees vs. St. Louis Cardinals recap ''. ESPN. Associated Press. June 12, 2005. Retrieved September 30, 2013. Jump up ^ Norris, Stephen ( August 19, 2005 ). `` Molina finds positives in his return ''. MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals rally in ninth to win ''. Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 20, 2005. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Shea, John ( August 21, 2005 ). `` Alou refuses to be penned in ''. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 30, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 2004 St. Louis Cardinals batting, pitching & fielding statistics ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 2005 St. Louis Cardinals batting, pitching & fielding statistics ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Single - season leaders & records for caught stealing % ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 27, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina batting statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Goold, Derrick ( April 18, 2007 ). `` The power of the pickoff ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Voellinger, Art ( March 28, 2007 ). `` La Russa has new numbers for season ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Tigers vs. St. Louis Cardinals ''. ESPN. Associated Press. October 27, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ Jenkins, Lee ( October 20, 2006 ). `` Going above and beyond, and then left standing ''. The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Kepner, Tyler ( March 18, 2013 ). `` A triumphant show by the artist Yadier Molina ''. The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2013. Jump up ^ Waldstein, David ( April 17, 2010 ). `` Wainwright finally takes mound against Mets again ''. The New York Times. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals still enjoying Series title ''. Sports. USA Today. October 30, 2006. p. 5C. Jump up ^ Shea, John ( April 19, 2007 ). `` Molina brothers have long - awaited reunion ''. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 28, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio ''. MLB.com. Retrieved September 8, 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Cardinals ' Molina, Mulder have surgery ''. The Sporting News. Associated Press. September 25, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Ankiel, Molina lift Cardinals over Reds ''. Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 2, 2007. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ DiComo, Anthony ( February 22, 2008 ). `` Leaner Molina a man on a mission ''. www.stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved September 30, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio ( 2008 highlights ) ''. MLB.com. Retrieved September 6, 2014. Jump up ^ Pupkin, Rupert ( June 15, 2008 ). `` Molina leaves game on stretcher ''. Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 4, 2013. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( August 29, 2012 ). `` Molina, Cards KO 'd by Pirates ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 30, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals ' Molina carried off field on stretcher on collision ''. USA Today. Associated Press. June 15, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Wainwright gets best of Arizona ''. Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 3, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( April 16, 2009 ). `` Piñeiro keeps early lead for win ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( June 24, 2009 ). `` Piñero 's two - hitter dominates the Mets ''. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( July 5, 2013 ). `` Three Cardinals to represent host franchise at 80th All - Star Game ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Leach, Matthew ( July 5, 2009 ). `` Trio of Cards heading to All - Star Game : Molina, Franklin first - timers ; Pujols the top overall vote - getter ''. Retrieved July 6, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Victorino wins All - Star fan vote ''. Philadelphia Daily News. July 10, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio ( 2009 highlights ) ''. MLB.com. Retrieved September 4, 2014. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( July 18, 2009 ). `` Pujols has HR derby against the D'backs ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( August 16, 2009 ). `` Transformed team excels in nearly all areas in getting its 13th victory in last 17 games ''. www.stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Dewan, John ( September 10, 2009 ). `` Catcher pickoff leaders ''. Bill James Online. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( October 1, 2009 ). `` Molina injury not serious ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Goold, Derrick ( October 22, 2009 ). `` McGwire to TSN : Cardinals ' Pujols is worth `` $30 million - plus '' ``. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Baseball awards voting for 2009 ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 1, 2014. Jump up ^ Leach, Matthew ( April 5, 2010 ). `` Opening power : Pujols homers twice in win ''. MLB.com. Retrieved October 13, 2014. Jump up ^ `` New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals box score ''. ESPN. April 17, 2010. Retrieved October 2, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Molina agrega potent bate a su buena defense ''. ESPN Deportes ( in Spanish ). Associated Press. May 10, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio ( 2010 highlights ) ''. MLB.com. Retrieved September 1, 2014. Jump up ^ Wire services ( August 10, 2010 ). `` Reds ' Brandon Phillips gets into it with the Cardinals ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( September 24, 2010 ). `` Molina to sit out rest of season ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jump up ^ Leach, Matthew ( September 23, 2010 ). `` Cards ' Molina likely out for rest of season ''. MLB.com. ^ Jump up to : Bollinger, Rhett ( November 1, 2010 ). `` Cards ' Molina headlines Fielding Bible winners ''. MLB.com. Retrieved November 4, 2010. The winners of the 2010 Fielding Bible Awards were announced on Monday, with Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina headlining the nine award - winners with the first unanimous win in the award 's five - year history. ^ Jump up to : Leach, Matthew ( November 10, 2010 ). `` Molina, Pujols honored with Gold Glove Awards : Cards catcher wins third straight ; first baseman earns second ''. stlouis.cardinals.com. Retrieved November 10, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio ( 2011 highlights ) ''. MLB.com. Retrieved August 31, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals ' Molina suspended for five games ''. MLB.com. Retrieved August 4, 2011. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( August 4, 2011 ). `` Molina accepts 5 - game suspension ''. Stltoday.com. Retrieved August 16, 2011. Jump up ^ `` St. Louis ' Cardinals ' Yadier Molina suspended five games for umpire run - in ''. ESPN. Associated Press. August 5, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2013. Jump up ^ Walton, Brian ( September 21, 2011 ). `` Molina joins top four doubles - hitting catchers of all time ''. The Cardinal Nation Blog. Retrieved October 2, 2013. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( November 20, 2013 ). `` 9 Chris Carpenter games we 'll never forget ( 6 ) ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 9, 2013. Jump up ^ Tierney, Mike ( September 29, 2011 ). `` Braves complete collapse in 13 - inning loss to Phillies ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 5, 2014. Jump up ^ Miklasz, Bernie ( September 30, 2011 ). `` La Russa, Mozeliak deserving of credit ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 5, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Schlueter, Roger ( February 12, 2012 ). `` Catchers lay the lumber : Avila, Yadier, McCann, Montero post banner years at plate ''. MLB.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016. Jump up ^ González, Alden ( October 20, 2011 ). `` Arm of Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina shuts down Rangers ' running game in World Series Game 1 ''. MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 2011 World Series -- St. Louis Cardinals over Texas Rangers ( 4 -- 3 ) ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2013. Jump up ^ Leach, Matthew ( November 1, 2011 ). `` Molina takes down fourth straight Gold Glove ''. MLB.com. Jump up ^ von Horn, Steve ( November 12, 2011 ). `` St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina voted Platinum Glove winner, according to report ''. SB Nation. Retrieved September 1, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Baseball awards voting for 2011 ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 1, 2014. Jump up ^ Strauss, Joe ( March 2, 2012 ). `` A franchise - type player ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch ( Friday Third Edition ). Jump up ^ Langosch, Jennifer ( March 1, 2012 ). `` Cardinals sign Yadier Molina to five - year contract worth $75 million ''. cardinals.com. Jump up ^ Staff and wire reports ( March 2, 2012 ). `` Cards sign Molina to $75 M deal ''. USA TODAY. Jump up ^ Strauss, Joe ( April 29, 2012 ). `` Molina 's big bat carries Cardinals ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 30, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Yadier Molina stats, video highlights, photos, bio ( 2012 highlights ) ''. MLB.com. Retrieved August 29, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina injured in Cardinals ' loss ''. The New York Times. Associated Press. August 28, 2012. Jump up ^ Schoenfield, David ( June 24, 2013 ). `` Does Yadier Molina have MVP hopes ? ''. ESPN. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Mitchell, Steve ( June 26, 2012 ). `` NL MVP : Yadier Molina ''. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Molina gets 1,000 th hit in Cardinals win ''. Fox Sports Tennessee. Associated Press. September 4, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2013. Jump up ^ Cameron, Dave ( September 28, 2012 ). `` Yadier Molina is having a Johnny Bench season ''. Fangraphs. Retrieved November 14, 2014. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( November 16, 2012 ). `` Posey claims NL MVP, Cards Molina finishes fourth ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ^ Jump up to : `` Molina earns 5th straight Gold Glove award ''. MLB.com via St. Louis Cardinals. October 30, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Langosch, Jenifer ( December 4, 2012 ). `` Yadier wins Defensive Player of the Year GIBBY ''. MLB.com. Jump up ^ Shaikin, Bill ( October 1, 2012 ). `` Mike Trout, Matt Kemp among MLB leaders in jersey sales ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Baxter, Kevin ( July 11, 2013 ). `` Yasiel Puig 's no. 66 jersey a bestseller, four Dodgers in top 20 ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Trokey, Tim ( June 12, 2013 ). `` Molina continues to rake ''. Fox Sports Midwest. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` MLB All - Star Game 2013 : Final fan voting totals for American League, National League ''. The Sporting News. Associated Press. July 6, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Snyder, Matt ( July 31, 2013 ). `` Cardinals place Molina on 15 day DL ''. CBS Sports.com. Retrieved August 2, 2013. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ( July 31, 2013 ). `` Sprained knee forces Molina to disabled list ''. stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved August 2, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina 's four - hit effort leads St. Louis Cardinals past Seattle Mariners ''. www.msn.foxsports.com. Associated Press. September 16, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( September 24, 2013 ). `` No - hitter just out of Wacha 's reach ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 25, 2013. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( September 30, 2013 ). `` Cardinals set RISP record ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 5, 2013. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ; Thornburg, Chad ( September 29, 2013 ). `` Cardinals set news RISP mark ''. www.stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com. Retrieved October 5, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Rookie production fueled Cardinals NL Central title drive ''. The Washington Post. Associated Press. September 28, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013. Jump up ^ Miklasz, Bernie ( September 30, 2013 ). `` 20 reasons why the Cardinals rule ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 1, 2013. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ( October 7, 2013 ). `` St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates ''. MLB.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Goold, Derrick ( October 22, 2013 ). `` Molina joining elite group of Cardinals ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 25, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Schlegel, John ( November 6, 2013 ). `` O 's, Cards, Tigers, Bucs win multiple Silver Slugger Awards ''. MLB.com. Retrieved November 6, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Andrew McCutchen wins Pirates ' 1st MVP since 1992 ''. Baseball Writers ' Association of America. November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013. Jump up ^ Held, Kevin ( March 26, 2014 ). `` Yadier Molina graces cover of ' Sports Illustrated ' MLB preview issue ''. KSDK.com. Retrieved July 6, 2014. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ( March 31, 2014 ). `` Cardinals ' battery powers shutout of Reds ''. MLB.com. Jump up ^ Townsend, Mark ( May 4, 2014 ). `` Jose Abreu and Yadier Molina get creative to pull off unique defensive plays ''. Yahoo ! Sports. Retrieved July 6, 2014. Jump up ^ KMOX staff ( June 18, 2014 ). `` Brewers catcher blasts Molina in All Star Game ad ''. KMOX. Retrieved July 6, 2014. Jump up ^ Schoenfield, David ( June 18, 2014 ). `` NL All - Star debate : Vote Molina or Lucroy ? ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved July 6, 2014. Jump up ^ Wolfley, Bob ( June 18, 2014 ). `` Creator of Jonathan Lucroy 's All - Star Game attack ad satire : ' Just having some fun ' ''. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 7, 2014. Jump up ^ Hagen, Pat ( July 6, 2014 ). `` All - Stars unveiled, including 26 first - timers ''. MLB.com. Retrieved July 6, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Miklasz, Bernie ( July 10, 2014 ). `` Bernie : Loss of Molina is a huge blow ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 10, 2014. Jump up ^ Nightengale, Bob ( July 10, 2014 ). `` Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina to miss 8 - 12 weeks ''. USA Today. Retrieved July 10, 2014. Jump up ^ Langosh, Jenifer ( July 10, 2014 ). `` Yadier out 8 - 12 weeks with thumb injury ''. MLB.com. Retrieved July 10, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina returns to Cardinals ''. ESPN. ESPN News Services, Associated Press. August 30, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Leitch, Will ( October 13, 2014 ). `` Cardinals can win without Yadi ''. Sports on Earth. Retrieved November 22, 2014. Jump up ^ Baxter, Kevin ( October 1, 2014 ). `` Cardinals to rely heavily on pitchers, catcher Yadier Molina in the postseason ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2014. Jump up ^ Heyman, Jon ; Deutsch, Jonathan ( October 11, 2014 ). `` Cardinals Star Yadier Molina Fined 5K For Brief Ump Shove In NLCS ''. WIBW - TV. Retrieved October 22, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Rogers, Jesse ( October 13, 2014 ). `` Yadier Molina has strained oblique ''. Associated Press. Retrieved October 13, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Miklasz, Bernie ( October 15, 2014 ). `` Molina : ' I 'm going to have to play with pain ' ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 17, 2014. ^ Jump up to : ESPN wire services ( November 4, 2014 ). `` Molina wins 7th straight Gold Glove ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Short, D.J. ( November 8, 2014 ). `` Alex Gordon and Yadier Molina win Platinum Glove Awards ''. NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 8, 2014. ^ Jump up to : Sinins, Lee ( April 6, 2015 ). `` Stats report : Cardinals set a team record ''. Gammons Daily. Retrieved April 8, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Pirates turn second triple play in two seasons ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 10, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015. Jump up ^ Eisele, Elizabeth ( June 15, 2015 ). `` Molina breaks out of home run slump ''. KMOV.com. Retrieved June 20, 2015. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( July 7, 2015 ). `` Cards land Molina, Wacha, Rosenthal on All - Star team ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 7, 2015. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( July 15, 2015 ). `` Baseball waits to act on Cardinals hacking case ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 15, 2015. Jump up ^ Landers, Chris ( July 14, 2015 ). `` 5 years after Cards - Reds brawl, Yadier Molina and Brandon Phillips are now locker buddies ''. MLB.com. Retrieved July 15, 2015. Jump up ^ Rodgers, Joe ( July 15, 2015 ). `` Yadier Molina trolls Cincinnati fans after being booed before All - Star Game ''. Sporting News. Retrieved July 15, 2015. Jump up ^ Garno, Greg ; Langosch, Jenifer ( July 22, 2015 ). `` Yadi 's massive triple crushes Chicago 's hope ''. MLB.com. Retrieved July 23, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Goold, Derrick ( August 12, 2015 ). `` Cards prospect Reyes sweeps ' Tools Triple Crown ' ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 12, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Molina 's homer pushes Cardinals past Giants 4 -- 3 ''. Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. August 19, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has partially torn left thumb ligament ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 21, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Miller, Doug ( November 10, 2015 ). `` Defensive standouts nab Gold Glove Awards ''. MLB.com. Retrieved November 10, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Newman, Mark ( November 11, 2015 ). `` Yadi, Kiermaier secure Platinum Gloves ''. MLB.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( December 17, 2015 ). `` More surgery for Molina ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 19, 2015. ^ Jump up to : Langosch, Jenifer ( December 18, 2015 ). `` Matheny, Rosenthal to be honored at St. Louis BBWAA dinner ''. St. Louis Cardinals. MLB. Retrieved December 19, 2015. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ( April 9, 2016 ). `` Yadi sets club record for most games caught ''. MLB.com. Retrieved April 9, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina 2016 batting gamelogs ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 18, 2016. Jump up ^ Garro, Adrian ( May 26, 2016 ). `` Yadier Molina springs into action, saves day after infield popup deflects off teammate 's glove ''. MLB.com. Retrieved May 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Krueger, Nick ( July 2, 2016 ). `` Yadi becomes 34th catcher with 1,500 hits ''. MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016. Jump up ^ Red, Christian ( July 27, 2016 ). `` Jeurys Familia blows first save of season as Mets fall to Cardinals, 5 − 4 ''. New York Daily News. Retrieved July 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Saxon, Mark ( August 30, 2016 ). `` Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright turn back the clock ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( October 3, 2016 ). `` Molina was Cardinals ' inspiration ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 3, 2016. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ; Berry, Adam ( October 2, 2016 ). `` Cards rout Bucs, but eliminated from playoffs ''. MLB.com. Retrieved October 2, 2016. Jump up ^ Wilhelm, David ( October 2, 2016 ). `` Cardinals win, but are eliminated from postseason when Giants defeat Dodgers ''. Bellville News - Democrat. Retrieved October 3, 2016. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ( April 2, 2017 ). `` Cards, Molina agree on contract extension ''. MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2017. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ( July 3, 2017 ). `` Cards ' C - Mart, Molina named NL All - Stars ''. m.Cardinals.MLB.com. Retrieved July 3, 2017. Jump up ^ Hummel, Rick ( July 11, 2017 ). `` Molina becomes first Cardinal to homer in All - Star Game since 1974 ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Call, Andrew ( September 20, 2017 ). `` Yadi ignites Cards ' sluggish offense with key HR ''. MLB.com. Retrieved September 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Sheldon, Mark ; Call, Andy ( September 21, 2017 ). `` Cards sweep Reds ; within 1 1 / 2 of WC spot ''. MLB.com. Retrieved November 30, 2017. Jump up ^ KMOX ( November 14, 2017 ). `` Yadier Molina to be honored as ' Sports Personality of the Year ' by MAC ''. KMOV CBS St. Louis. Retrieved November 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Baer, Bill ( January 15, 2018 ). `` Yadier Molina plans to retire when his contract ends ''. Yahoo Sports !. Retrieved January 15, 2018. Jump up ^ Langosch, Jenifer ( January 15, 2018 ). `` Yadi planning to retire after 2020 season ''. MLB.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018. Jump up ^ Trezza, Joe ( April 14, 2018 ). `` Garcia 's 2 HRs, Mikolas ' gem pace Cards ' win ''. MLB.com. Retrieved April 14, 2018. Jump up ^ Trezza, Joe ( May 2, 2018 ). `` Molina passes Bench in catching milestone ''. MLB.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018. Jump up ^ Trezza, Joe ( April 22, 2018 ). `` Sharp Mikolas backed by Wong, DeJong HRs ''. MLB.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018. Jump up ^ Trezza, Joe ( May 6, 2018 ). `` Yadier Molina undergoes surgery, out at least a month ''. MLB.com. Retrieved May 6, 2018. Jump up ^ Baer, Bill ( June 5, 2018 ). `` Cardinals get Yadier Molina, Carlos Martinez back from DL ''. NBC Sports.com. Retrieved Jun 24, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina now holds record for most games at catcher with one team ''. Fox2Now St. Louis. June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ Trezza, Joe ( June 20, 2018 ). `` Molina 's 2 homers not enough to beat Phillies ''. MLB.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ Hardricourt, Tom ( June 23, 2018 ). `` Cardinals 3, Brewers 2 : Yadier Molina homers twice as St. Louis rebounds from tough loss ''. Milwaukee Journal - Sentinel. Retrieved June 23, 2018. Jump up ^ https://www.mlb.com/news/yadier-molina-added-to-nl-all-star-team/c-285055238 Jump up ^ https://www.kmov.com/sports/st-louis-cardinals-player-grades-infielders/article_2915bed4-c8d5-11e8-a877-9bde9e3f4fee.html ^ Jump up to : Corcoran, Cliff ( April 20, 2012 ). `` Is Iván Rodríguez the greatest catcher in major league history ? ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 30, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Goold, Derrick ( March 24, 2017 ). `` Molina sends message by celebrating in Puerto Rico before return to Cards ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved March 24, 2017. Jump up ^ News services ( March 10, 2009 ). `` Molina 's hit lifts Puerto Rico ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Red, Christian ( March 10, 2009 ). `` Yadier Yippee ! Puerto Rico comes back ''. New York Daily News. ^ Jump up to : `` World Baseball Classic : All - World Baseball Classic Team ''. worldbaseballclassic.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013. Jump up ^ Brown, David ( March 18, 2013 ). `` Yadier Molina 's unusual putout on Japan 's baserunning blunder at World Baseball Classic ''. www.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved September 25, 2013. Jump up ^ Wile, Brandon ( March 19, 2017 ). `` Puerto Rico 's Molina named MVP of Group F ''. The Score. Retrieved March 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` World Baseball Classic : Previous champs, results, medal count, MVPs, All - WBC teams '', CBS Sports. Jump up ^ `` Eight Players Selected for Japan All - Star Series ''. The Official Site of Major League Baseball Players Association. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018. ^ Jump up to : Skretta, Dave ( October 29, 2013 ). `` Yadier Molina of St. Louis Cardinals wins sixth straight Gold Glove ''. ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved October 29, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Goold, Derrick ( July 14, 2013 ). `` 7 tools that make Yadier Molina the best in the game ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ^ Jump up to : `` Career leaders & records for total zone runs as C ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 13, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina '' Statistics '' Batting ``. Fangraphs. Retrieved October 13, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina Stats -- St. Louis Cardinals -- ESPN ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved May 27, 2014. Jump up ^ Verducci, Tom ( June 11, 2013 ). `` With Molina as backbone, Cardinals off to super start ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 6, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Reiter, Ben ( May 30, 2013 ). `` Yadier Molina is the real staff ace of the Cardinals ''. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Players poll : Toughest catcher to run on ( Photos ) ''. Sports Illustrated. 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2013. ^ Jump up to : bgh ( November 5, 2012 ). `` A look at how St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has evolved as a hitter ''. www. vivalebirdos. ccom. Retrieved October 3, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Rymer, Zachary ( July 3, 2013 ). `` Franchise cornerstone post-Pujols ''. Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 5, 2013. Jump up ^ Strauss, Joe ( June 21, 2013 ). `` Molina more confident in hitting routine ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jump up ^ Staff Reports ( August 5, 2015 ). `` 2014 Major League Best Tools ''. Baseball America. Retrieved August 12, 2015. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick ( October 30, 2008 ). `` Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina snag Fielding awards ''. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved October 30, 2008. Jump up ^ Johns, Greg ( October 25, 2012 ). `` Ryan wins Fielding Bible Award at short ''. MLB.com. Retrieved October 26, 2012. Jump up ^ Berry, Adam ( October 28, 2013 ). `` Fielding Bible names six first - time winners ''. MLB.com. Retrieved October 29, 2013. Jump up ^ Spencer, Lyle ( December 10, 2013 ). `` GIBBY awards unveiled at winter meetings ''. MLB.com. Retrieved February 10, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Molina, Wainwright nab Gold Gloves : Back - to - back awards for Cards catcher ; hurler wins first ''. MLB.com. November 11, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Molina honored with first Gold Glove : Catcher 's long - recognized defense finally nabs top NL award ''. MLB.com. November 5, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Molina captures second Platinum Glove Award ''. MLB.com via St. Louis Cardinals. November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards ''. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved July 10, 2014. Jump up ^ `` The Official Site of The St. Louis Cardinals : Team : Player information : Biography and career highlights ''. St. Louis Cardinals. MLB. Retrieved October 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina 's wife Wanda Molina ''. Playerwives.com. October 9, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2013. Jump up ^ Owens, Terez ( August 22, 2012 ). `` Cardinals star Yadier Molina buys Jupiter mansion ''. www.yardbarker.com. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Yadier Molina signs 5 - year extension ''. ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 2, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Melvin Roman profile ''. MDR Sports Management. Retrieved July 12, 2014. Jump up ^ Chass, Murry ( February 3, 2008 ). `` Brothers in arms outdo the Mannings ''. The New York Times. Retrieved September 28, 2013. Jump up ^ Curry, Jack ( July 23, 2007 ). `` Hanging with the amazing Molina brothers ''. The New York Times. Retrieved September 27, 2013. Jump up ^ Miller, Scott ( September 27, 2009 ). `` Weekend buzz : Father 's death strengthens Molina brothers ' bond ''. CBS Sports.com. Jump up ^ Wittenauer, Cheryl ( October 2, 2009 ). `` Yadier Molina sued over appearances, autographs ''. KSDK.com. Retrieved September 26, 2013. Jump up ^ Call, Andy ( September 21, 2017 ). `` Molina, wife raise money for Puerto Rico ''. MLB.com. Retrieved September 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Goold, Derrick. `` Molina wins Roberto Clemente Award for leading relief efforts in Puerto Rico ''. stltoday.com. Retrieved 2018 - 10 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Sabermetrics Library : BABIP ''. Fangraphs. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Sabermetrics Library : wRC and wRC + ''. Fangraphs. Retrieved November 15, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Shelby Miller statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Trevor Rosenthal statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Kevin Siegrist statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Carlos Martínez statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Seth Maness statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Michael Wacha statistics and history ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 2013 St. Louis Cardinals batting, pitching & fielding statistics ''. Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Sabermetrics Library : DRS ''. Fangraphs. Retrieved November 30, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Sabermetrics Library : wOBA ''. Fangraphs. Retrieved November 30, 2013. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yadier Molina. Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball - Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball - Reference ( Minors ) Yadier Molina on Twitter Yadier Molina on Instagram Yadier Molina page at stlcardinals.scout.com Angry Fan 's Baseball Fix St. Louis Cardinals current roster Active roster 3 Jedd Gyorko 4 Yadier Molina 7 Luke Weaver 12 Paul DeJong 13 Matt Carpenter 16 Kolten Wong 18 Carlos Martínez 19 Carson Kelly 21 Patrick Wisdom 23 Marcell Ozuna 25 Dexter Fowler 27 Brett Cecil 28 Adolis García 29 Alex Reyes 30 Tyler Webb 32 Jack Flaherty 34 Yairo Muñoz 35 Greg Garcia 38 José Martínez 39 Miles Mikolas 40 Chasen Shreve 41 Tyler O'Neill 43 Dakota Hudson 44 Luke Gregerson 46 Francisco Peña 48 Harrison Bader 49 Jordan Hicks 50 Adam Wainwright 52 Michael Wacha 53 John Gant 55 Dominic Leone 59 Mike Mayers 60 John Brebbia 62 Daniel Poncedeleon 63 Edmundo Sosa 65 Giovanny Gallegos 67 Matt Bowman 68 Austin Gomber 71 Derian González 90 Conner Greene -- Justin Williams Coaching staff Manager 8 Mike Shildt Third base 11 José Oquendo Pitching 31 Mike Maddux Hitting -- Jeff Albert First base 37 Oliver Marmol Coach 51 Willie McGee Batting 58 Mark Budaska Bullpen 72 Bryan Eversgerd Bench 75 Ron Warner Bullpen catcher 76 Kleininger Teran Bullpen catcher 94 Jamie Pogue Yadier Molina -- World Championship teams St. Louis Cardinals 2006 World Series champions 3 Preston Wilson 4 Yadier Molina 5 Albert Pujols 7 Ronnie Belliard 12 Aaron Miles 15 Jim Edmonds 16 Chris Duncan 22 David Eckstein ( World Series MVP ) 23 Anthony Reyes 26 Scott Spiezio 27 Scott Rolen 28 Gary Bennett 29 Chris Carpenter 32 Josh Hancock 34 Randy Flores 36 Jeff Weaver 37 Jeff Suppan ( NLCS MVP ) 41 Braden Looper 43 Juan Encarnación 48 Brad Thompson 50 Adam Wainwright 52 Josh Kinney 53 John Rodriguez 61 Tyler Johnson 99 So Taguchi Manager 10 Tony La Russa Hitting Coach 8 Hal McRae 3rd Base Coach 11 José Oquendo Pitching Coach 18 Dave Duncan Bench Coach 24 Joe Pettini Bullpen Coach 38 Marty Mason 1st Base Coach 39 Dave McKay Regular season National League Division Series National League Championship Series St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series champions 3 Ryan Theriot 4 Yadier Molina 5 Albert Pujols 7 Matt Holliday 8 Nick Punto 12 Lance Berkman 13 Gerald Laird 15 Rafael Furcal 19 Jon Jay 21 Allen Craig 22 Edwin Jackson 23 David Freese ( NLCS & World Series MVP ) 26 Kyle Lohse 28 Octavio Dotel 29 Chris Carpenter 30 Jason Motte 33 Daniel Descalso 34 Marc Rzepczynski 35 Jake Westbrook 41 Mitchell Boggs 53 Arthur Rhodes 54 Jaime García 55 Skip Schumaker 56 Adron Chambers 59 Fernando Salas 62 Lance Lynn Manager 10 Tony La Russa Bench Coach 49 Joe Pettini 1st Base Coach 39 Dave McKay 3rd Base Coach 11 José Oquendo Hitting Coach 25 Mark McGwire Pitching Coach 18 Dave Duncan Bullpen Coach 36 Derek Lilliquist Bullpen Catcher 58 Jeff Murphy Regular season National League Division Series National League Championship Series Yadier Molina -- World Baseball Classic rosters Puerto Rico roster -- 2006 World Baseball Classic -- 5th place 4 Yadier Molina 5 Eduardo Pérez 6 Rubén Gotay 7 Iván Rodríguez 8 Javy López 9 Federico Baez 10 José Valentín 12 Alex Cintrón 13 Alex Cora 15 Carlos Beltrán 17 Javier Valentín 19 Alex Ríos 22 José Cruz 23 Javier Vázquez 24 Ricky Ledée 25 Carlos Delgado 29 Juan Padilla 32 Luis Matos 33 J.C. Romero 38 Joel Piñeiro 40 José Santiago 43 Dicky Gonzalez 45 Josue Matos 48 Pedro Feliciano 50 Kiko Calero 51 Bernie Williams 52 Orlando Román 55 Iván Maldonado 56 Fernando Cabrera 57 Chris Rojas 58 Willie Collazo Manager José Oquendo Puerto Rico roster -- 2009 World Baseball Classic -- 5th place 2 Felipe López 4 Yadier Molina 7 Iván Rodríguez 10 Mike Avilés 12 Ramón Vázquez 13 Alex Cora 15 Carlos Beltrán 16 J.C. Romero 18 Geovany Soto 19 Alex Ríos 21 Carlos Delgado 23 Jesús Feliciano 26 Andy González 27 Nelson Figueroa 31 Josue Matos 33 Javier Vázquez 34 Orlando Román 36 Giancarlo Alvarado 38 Fernando Cabrera 43 Hiram Bocachica 44 Carlos Gutiérrez 45 Ian Snell 48 Javier López 49 Pedro Feliciano 51 Bernie Williams 52 Saúl Rivera 53 Jonathan Sánchez 56 Iván Maldonado Manager José Oquendo Coach Carlos Arroyo Coach Eduardo Pérez Coach Iván DeJesús Coach Charlie Montoyo Coach Gilberto Rondón Coach Jerry Morales Puerto Rico roster -- 2013 World Baseball Classic -- Runners - up 3 Luis Figueroa 4 Yadier Molina 10 Mike Avilés 13 Jesús Feliciano 15 Carlos Beltrán 16 Ángel Pagán 17 Eddie Rosario 19 Irving Falú 20 Pedro Valdés 24 Martín Maldonado 26 Andy González 27 Nelson Figueroa 28 José Molina 31 Giancarlo Alvarado 32 J.C. Romero 33 Randy Fontanez 34 Orlando Román 35 Giovanni Soto 37 José Berríos 38 Fernando Cabrera 44 Carlos Rivera 48 Mario Santiago 51 Alex Ríos 52 José De La Torre 53 Andrés Santiago 54 Hiram Burgos 55 Xavier Cedeño 65 Efraín Nieves Manager Edwin Rodríguez Pitching Coach Ricky Bones Coach Carlos Baerga Coach Carlos Delgado Coach Joe Espada Coach José Rosado Coach José Valentín Puerto Rico roster -- 2017 World Baseball Classic -- Runners - up 1 Carlos Correa 3 Rey Fuentes 4 Yadier Molina 5 T.J. Rivera 7 Enrique Hernández 9 Javier Báez 12 Francisco Lindor 13 Emilio Pagán 14 Mike Avilés 15 Carlos Beltrán 16 Ángel Pagán 17 Eddie Rosario 20 Kennys Vargas 28 Jorge López 29 Joe Colón 30 Dereck Rodríguez 32 J.C. Romero 34 Orlando Román 35 Giovanni Soto 37 José Berríos 38 Joel Piñeiro 39 Edwin Díaz 41 Mario Santiago 43 Joe Jiménez 44 René Rivera 47 Miguel Mejía 48 Andrés Santiago 51 Andrew Barbosa 52 José De La Torre 54 Hiram Burgos 55 Roberto Pérez 56 Héctor Santiago 58 Alex Claudio 67 Seth Lugo 87 José De León Manager 36 Edwin Rodríguez Hitting Coach 99 Carlos Baerga Pitching Coach 27 Ricky Bones First Base Coach 22 José Valentín Third Base Coach 6 Joe Espada Bench Coach 25 Carlos Delgado Bullpen Coach 19 Juan González Bullpen Catcher José Molina 2013 World Baseball Classic All WBC Team Catcher : Yadier Molina First baseman : Edwin Encarnación Second baseman : Robinson Canó Shortstop : José Reyes Third baseman : David Wright Outfielders : Nelson Cruz, Ángel Pagán, Michael Saunders Designated Hitter : Hirokazu Ibata Pitchers : Nelson Figueroa, Kenta Maeda, Fernando Rodney 2017 World Baseball Classic All WBC Team Catcher : Yadier Molina First baseman : Eric Hosmer Second baseman : Javier Báez Shortstop : Francisco Lindor Third baseman : Carlos Correa Outfielders : Wladimir Balentien, Gregory Polanco, Christian Yelich Designated hitter : Carlos Beltrán Pitchers : Kodai Senga, Marcus Stroman, Josh Zeid Roberto Clemente Award 1971 : Mays 1972 : Robinson 1973 : Kaline 1974 : Stargell 1975 : Brock 1976 : Rose 1977 : Carew 1978 : Luzinski 1979 : Thornton 1980 : Niekro 1981 : Garvey 1982 : Singleton 1983 : Cooper 1984 : Guidry 1985 : Baylor 1986 : Maddox 1987 : Sutcliffe 1988 : Murphy 1989 : Carter 1990 : Stewart 1991 : Reynolds 1992 : Ripken Jr. 1993 : Larkin 1994 : Winfield 1995 : Smith 1996 : Puckett 1997 : Davis 1998 : Sosa 1999 : Gwynn 2000 : Leiter 2001 : Schilling 2002 : Thome 2003 : Moyer 2004 : Martínez 2005 : Smoltz 2006 : Delgado 2007 : Biggio 2008 : Pujols 2009 : Jeter 2010 : Wakefield 2011 : Ortiz 2012 : Kershaw 2013 : Beltrán 2014 : Konerko & Rollins 2015 : McCutchen 2016 : Granderson 2017 : Rizzo 2018 : Molina National League Catcher Silver Slugger Award 1980 : Simmons 1981 : Carter 1982 : Carter 1983 : Kennedy 1984 : Carter 1985 : Carter 1986 : Carter 1987 : Santiago 1988 : Santiago 1989 : Biggio 1990 : Santiago 1991 : Santiago 1992 : Daulton 1993 : Piazza 1994 : Piazza 1995 : Piazza 1996 : Piazza 1997 : Piazza 1998 : Piazza 1999 : Piazza 2000 : Piazza 2001 : Piazza 2002 : Piazza 2003 : López 2004 : Estrada 2005 : Barrett 2006 : McCann 2007 : Martin 2008 : McCann 2009 : McCann 2010 : McCann 2011 : McCann 2012 : Posey 2013 : Molina 2014 : Posey 2015 : Posey 2016 : Ramos 2017 : Posey National League Platinum Glove Award 2011 : Molina 2012 : Molina 2013 : Simmons 2014 : Molina 2015 : Molina 2016 : Rizzo 2017 : Arenado National League Catcher Gold Glove Award 1958 : Crandall 1959 : Crandall 1960 : Crandall 1961 : Roseboro 1962 : Crandall 1963 : Edwards 1964 : Edwards 1965 : Torre 1966 : Roseboro 1967 : Hundley 1968 : Bench 1969 : Bench 1970 : Bench 1971 : Bench 1972 : Bench 1973 : Bench 1974 : Bench 1975 : Bench 1976 : Bench 1977 : Bench 1978 : Boone 1979 : Boone 1980 : Carter 1981 : Carter 1982 : Carter 1983 : Peña 1984 : Peña 1985 : Peña 1986 : Davis 1987 : LaValliere 1988 : Santiago 1989 : Santiago 1990 : Santiago 1991 : Pagnozzi 1992 : Pagnozzi 1993 : Manwaring 1994 : Pagnozzi 1995 : Johnson 1996 : Johnson 1997 : Johnson 1998 : Johnson 1999 : Lieberthal 2000 : Matheny 2001 : Ausmus 2002 : Ausmus 2003 : Matheny 2004 : Matheny 2005 : Matheny 2006 : Ausmus 2007 : Martin 2008 : Molina 2009 : Molina 2010 : Molina 2011 : Molina 2012 : Molina 2013 : Molina 2014 : Molina 2015 : Molina 2016 : Posey 2017 : Barnhart Catcher Fielding Bible Award 2006 : Rodríguez 2007 : Molina 2008 : Molina 2009 : Molina 2010 : Molina 2011 : Wieters 2012 : Molina 2013 : Molina 2014 : Lucroy 2015 : Posey 2016 : Posey 2017 : Maldonado GIBBY / This Year in Baseball Defensive Player of the Year Award 2002 : Hunter 2003 : Edmonds 2004 : Edmonds 2005 : Suzuki 2006 : Lowell 2007 : Polanco 2008 : O. Cabrera 2009 : Ellsbury 2010 : Andrus 2011 : A. Cabrera 2012 : Molina 2013 : Molina 2014 : Simmons WorldCat Identities ISNI : 0000 0003 7017 2847 LCCN : n2012036083 VIAF : 249565112 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yadier_Molina&oldid=866480798 '' Categories : 1982 births Living people Gigantes de Carolina players Gold Glove Award winners Johnson City Cardinals players Major League Baseball catchers Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico Memphis Redbirds players National League All - Stars People from Bayamón, Puerto Rico People from Vega Alta, Puerto Rico Peoria Chiefs players Silver Slugger Award winners Springfield Cardinals players St. Louis Cardinals players Tennessee Smokies players 2006 World Baseball Classic players 2009 World Baseball Classic players 2013 World Baseball Classic players 2017 World Baseball Classic players Hidden categories : CS1 Spanish - language sources ( es ) Good articles Wikipedia articles with ISNI identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Français 한국어 日本 語 Polski Português Русский Suomi Svenska 中文 4 more Edit links This page was last edited on 30 October 2018, at 16 : 09 ( UTC ). 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Question: who is the catcher for the st louis cardinals
Answer: Yadier Benjamin Molina