Central STL News

When Yadier Molina returned to Busch Stadium this past weekend, his presence was quickly felt both on and off the field. The former Cardinals catcher, who played 19 seasons in St. Louis and earned nine Gold Glove awards, asked to rejoin the team for batting practice while he was in town for a baseball card show. Manager Oliver Marmol not only welcomed Molina back but also invited him into the dugout as a guest coach.

Marmol’s decision came despite speculation that Molina might be considered for the managerial role in the future, especially given ongoing social media discussions about Marmol’s tenure amid the team missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season. However, Marmol said his priority was what Molina could offer to young players on the roster.

“I can’t think that way. That would be pretty damn selfish and insecure if you ask me,” Marmol said of him potentially not inviting Molina because of the speculation it would create. “If he’s going to make you better, you have him around. I could care less what noise comes with that.

“This is a guy who played a role in my development as a coach when I first got here, being able to talk to [Molina] and [Minor League instructor] José Oquendo about the game. The fact that Yadi was going to be in town, I think it would have been a huge miss to not invite him into the dugout for a few days.”

Molina contributed during his short time with catchers Pedro Pagés and Yohel Pozo, sharing insights from his career that included helping lead teams to World Series titles in 2006 and 2011. Over his career with St. Louis from 2004-2022, he played on 13 playoff teams and four National League pennant winners.

Upon retiring in 2022, Molina held several defensive records among catchers: he ranked first all-time in putouts by catchers and had accumulated 184 defensive runs saved since FanGraphs began tracking the statistic in 2002. He led National League catchers multiple times both in caught-stealing percentage and assists.

“Being around the guys and the clubhouse talking baseball -- that’s what I miss,” said Molina, who received a standing ovation when he took out the Cards’ lineup card. “I watch baseball every day, and I follow the Cardinals.

“Once my son finishes [high] school, that’s when I’ll start coaching. That’s the plan. I love baseball, and this is my passion.”

Molina indicated he hopes his involvement with coaching will increase after his son graduates high school next year; his son is committed to play at University of Texas-Arlington beginning next year.

For now, Molina wants to continue assisting behind-the-scenes through individual conversations aimed at player improvement—a method supported by Marmol.

“He has a really unique way of communicating what it takes to be a winning player,” Marmol said of Molina. “There’s a difference between being a good player and a winning player. It’s great when you’re a good player, but I’ll take the winning player all day long. Yadi has a unique way of expressing what it takes to really devote yourself to the game and really be that good in a way that could be influential and impactful to some of our young guys.”