Yadier Molina gets farewell tour with St. Louis Cardinals
By David Hill
Eventually, everything comes to an end. Even the greats get one last appearance, taking a final bow before heading off into the sunset. The St. Louis Cardinals are making sure that when that day comes with Yadier Molina, he will be a part of just one organization throughout his career.
The Cardinals announced a one year, $10 million extension with Molina for the 2022 season. That season is also expected to serve as Molina’s farewell tour.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak is quoted in the team's official release as saying: "We are pleased to announce that Yadi has agreed to cement his career legacy with the Cardinals for a final season in 2022."
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) August 24, 2021
Yadier Molina cements legacy with St. Louis Cardinals
Molina already had an impressive career. His resume is amongst the best at the position, as he is a ten time All Star, nine time Golve Glove winner, and has taken home four Platinum Gloves. He has produced a solid .280/.331/.403 batting line with 2089 hits, 168 homers, and 397 doubles. Molina is one of just nine players who where primarily catchers to notch 2000 hits in their careers, and one of only four to reach that plateau in games played behind the plate.
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It makes sense for Molina to remain with the Cardinals. He has been a key part of the organization since he debuted, emerging as not just one of their leaders, but one of the best players in team history. For an organization that focuses on their history as much as the Cardinals, it would have been a strange move to see him suit up for any other franchise.
But that came close to being the case last offseason. Before the Cardinals and Molina agreed to a contract for the 2021 campaign, he had been considering offers from other teams. The Yankees were amongst those aggressively pursuing the long time Cardinals’ backstop before he returned to the only franchise he ever knew.
The only way that Molina’s farewell tour will be any better is if the Cardinals bring Adam Wainwright back as well. Imagine the crowd at the final regular season game at Busch Stadium, as Wainwright and Molina team up as the Cardinals’ battery for one last time. Molina is already returning for 2022; now it is time for Wainwright to do so as well.
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Yadier Molina will retire with the only team he has ever known. The St. Louis Cardinals have made sure that Molina will remain right where he should.