Yadier Molina
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|
|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals — No. 4 | |
| Catcher | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| June 3, 2004 for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through October 2, 2006) |
|
| Batting average | .238 |
| Hits | 223 |
| Home runs | 16 |
Yadier B. Molina (b. July 13, 1982 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the 2006 World Series champions St. Louis Cardinals.
Molina's two older brothers, Bengie and José, are also major league catchers, Bengie with the San Francisco Giants, and José with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Both say Yadier is the best catcher among them. Bengie, José and Yadier are the only trio of brothers in MLB history to each have earned World Series champion rings. Yadier is only the third catcher in history to play two World Series before the age of 25, joining Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra in that feat.
Molina made his debut with the Cardinals during the pennant-winning season of 2004, backing up Mike Matheny. Matheny served as a mentor to Molina, and like Matheny, Molina is an outstanding defensive catcher. Molina was picked over Matheny to start Game 4 of the 2004 World Series against the Boston Red Sox and during the following offseason, Matheny signed a 3-year, $10.5-million contract with the San Francisco Giants, clearing a road for Molina to become a starter for St. Louis.
In 2005, Molina's defense did not disappoint, and despite an awful offensive start, Molina proved to be a consistent contact hitter. In 114 games, he posted a .252 batting average with eight home runs and 49 RBIs.
In 2006, in addition to helping his team win the World Series, Molina helped make history when he played for the Puerto Rico team in the first World Baseball Classic. Yadier went 3-5 with an RBI in the four games that he played.
In his young career, Molina has thrown out an unheard-of 50% of runners attempting to steal bases, and has routinely led major league catchers in pickoffs.
In Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS Molina hit a 2-run home run in the top of the ninth inning off Aaron Heilman of the New York Mets, giving the Cardinals a 3-1 lead and helping them secure a trip to the 2006 World Series to defeat the Detroit Tigers.
[edit] Trivia
When Yadier steps up to the plate at New Busch Stadium, Rompe, by Daddy Yankee is played over the speakers.
[edit] External links
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