St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina’s ongoing disrespect continues

The ongoing disrespect for St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina continues, with the future Hall of Famer overlooked once again in 2018.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina continues his quiet, yet stellar 2018 season, after flat-out mashing last week on the team’s seven-game road trip, sparking the flame of the Birds on the Bat, that appeared to be burnt out.

Thanks to the efforts of Yadier Molina, (somehow) the St. Louis Cardinals are within striking distance of a spot in the 2018 MLB Postseason, with more than half the season remaining –giving them plenty of time to get healthy for their 2018 playoff charge.

It’s been a unique 2018 slate for Yadier Molina, who nearly went MMA on Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo early in the season — which you’ll have to see yourself to believe.

If it wasn’t for a bizarre groin injury slowing him down, Yadier Molina would be among the NL elite as one of the front-runners for the 2018 NL MVP award.

Even after missing a month of the season, Yadier Molina deserves to be among the National League-best and on the 2018 All-Star team. But, if the current trend continues, it’s unlikely he’ll be honored as he deserves.

Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch also notices the lack of love for Yadier Molina, calling-out St. Louis Cardinals fans; urging them to have their beloved player’s back.

As par the course, Buster Posey has stolen the spotlight from Yadier Molina in 2018 and during their entire MLB tenures, which is an utter shame. The San Francisco Giants star has undoubtedly earned all of the praise he’s received, but it’s at the expense of Yadier Molina.

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A prime example is the 2012 season, where Yadier Molina deserved the MVP award as much as Buster Posey (if not more so), especially if you incorporate the defensive statistics with the offensive numbers — with Yadier Molina not too far behind Buster Posey at the plate.

• Buster Posey 2012 offensive statistics: WAR: 7.6. Slash line: .336/.408/.549. Home runs: 24. RBI: 103. Runs: 78. Stolen Bases: 1
• Yadier Molina 2012 offensive statistics: WAR: 7.2. Slash line: .315/.373/.501. Home runs: 22. RBI: 76. Runs: 65. Stolen Bases: 12
• Buster Posey 2012 (Catcher) defensive statistics: Errors: 8. Stolen bases allowed: 87 Stolen Base attempts: 125. Percentage thrown out: 30 percent. Wild pitches allowed: 26. Games at catcher: 114
• Yadier Molina 2012 (Catcher) defensive statistics: Errors: 3. Stolen bases allowed: 38 Stolen Base attempts: 73. Percentage thrown out: 48 percent. Wild pitches: 36.  Games at catcher: 136

I’m convinced that Joe Buck received a majority of the MVP votes that season; it’s the only explanation for the ridiculous separation in the voting that season. Somehow, Yadier Molina slipped to fourth in the 2012 MVP final results, also behind Ryan Braun and Andrew McCutchen

Plus, Yadier Molina caught 24 more games behind the plate than Buster Posey, which takes more of a toll on the offensive end — with Buster Posey getting more rest than Yadier Molina.

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Now, the same trend of disrespect or negligence from MLB and St. Louis Cardinals fans has carried over into 2018, with Yadier Molina’s value higher than ever for an inconsistent St. Louis Cardinals squad.

Maybe fans will wake up and give Yadier Molina the respect he deserves.