There was a time when Yadier Molina was a rarity. The St. Louis Cardinals catcher was one of the few backstops in the league capable of stealing bases, possessing the type of speed that few players at that position had. Molina had a career best 12 steals back in 2012, and just reaching the double digit mark two other times.
Although he does not have the same speed these days, Molina is still able to pick his spots. He has not been thrown out stealing since 2018 and had stolen nine consecutive bases in that time. Molina even picked up three steals last year, showing that he will take that base if pitchers forget about him.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina still has those wheels
That was the case on Thursday night. The Cardinals had runners at the corners with no one out in the bottom of the sixth, with Molina on first. He took off on an 0-2 pitch, stealing second with relative ease as the throw down came in high. This came after he showed off the speed earlier in the inning when he reached on an infield single.
Molina has been a solid offensive option behind the plate in his career. He is one of the few catchers to accumulate 2000 or more hits in a career. His .279/.330/.401 batting line with 171 homers and 401 doubles entering Thursday is certainly solid for a backstop. Add in his nine Gold Glove awards and it is easy to see why the ten time All Star is a future Hall of Famer.
That steal on Thursday now gives Molina an even 70 for his career and ten consecutive steals without being caught. He may not be the threat on the basepaths that he had once been, but Molina will still take that base if teams are not going to pay attention.
Yadier Molina showed that he still has the ability to steal a base on Thursday. The St. Louis Cardinals catcher could end with a couple more by the end of the year.