Yadier Molina has been an absolute star for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ever since making his MLB debut in 2004, he has been a competent hitter and a star behind the plate and handling a pitching staff.
The younger of the three catcher brothers (Bengie and Jose Molina being the other two), Yadier is also the one with the best career.
During his MLB tenure, which will end after the 2022 season, Molina has won two World Series, nine Gold Gloves, one Silver Slugger award, and has ten All-Star berths, all with the Cards.
Another cool distinction he holds is the fact that he carries the longest streak of consecutive Opening Day games behind the plate in MLB with the same team.
“Today, Yadier Molina was the @Cardinals‘ starting catcher on Opening Day for the 18th straight year. Among @MLB catchers — all-time — that is the longest streak of Opening Day starts with the same team. @MLBNetwork @MLBStats,” Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweeted yesterday.
Today, Yadier Molina was the @Cardinals' starting catcher on Opening Day for the 18th straight year.
Among @MLB catchers — all-time — that is the longest streak of Opening Day starts with the same team. @MLBNetwork @MLBStats
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) April 8, 2022
An Incredible Streak
It’s so easy to type, but so hard to achieve for him: Molina has been the Cardinals’ Opening Day catcher for the last 18 campaigns.
The last time he wasn’t in the Opening Day lineup for the redbirds was in 2004.
The starter at catcher that year?
Mike Matheny, who won a Gold Glove that year before departing to San Francisco to play his last two MLB seasons with the Giants.
Matheny had a long stint as the Cardinals’ manager between 2012 and 2018, and is currently the skipper of the up-and-coming Kansas City Royals.
Molina will reportedly start managing in Venezuela late this year, with the Navegantes del Magallanes.
It seems inevitable that he will, eventually, manage his beloved Cardinals.
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