Yadier Molina Biography

Yadier Benjamín Molina, born July 13, 1982, is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who served as manager of Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League and held a special assistant role with the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent his entire 19-year MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing from 2004 to 2022. Widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive catchers in history, he excelled in blocking pitches and throwing out base stealers. Molina represented Puerto Rico in four World Baseball Classic tournaments, earning two silver medals. After retiring in 2022, he ranked first among catchers in putouts and second with 130 Defensive Runs Saved, while leading active players in assists (845), caught-stealing rate (40.21%), and pickoffs (55). Selected in the fourth round of the 2000 MLB draft, he made his major league debut in 2004 and quickly established a reputation for one of the strongest and most accurate arms in the game. He appeared on five NL MVP ballots, placing fourth in 2012 and third in 2013.