Yadier Molina by Tania Rodriguez

Author:Tania Rodriguez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suprerstars of Baseball
ISBN: 9781422291870
Publisher: National Highlights Inc
Published: 2013-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Yadier Molina (on the left) and teammate Chris Carpenter (on the right).

He can also throw really fast. Most catchers can throw the ball from behind home plate to second base in 1.9 seconds. Molina can do it in 1.7 seconds. Sometimes he can even throw it in 1.6. Those fractions of a second can mean the difference between throwing a stealer out and calling it safe.

Molina has been described as the “unsung hero.” Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter said, “He does so many things behind the scenes like calling pitches and blocking balls. It’s not just about throwing guys out. He’s an amazingly smart catcher, and it definitely gives me an advantage having him back there.”

Catching isn’t always the most glamorous position on a baseball team. But it’s a necessary one. Molina takes his job seriously. And because he does, he helps the Cardinals win game after game.

Offense

Molina is a good catcher, but he’s also a good batter. He’s had his ups and downs, but overall he’s been a good offensive player for the Cardinals. His career batting average is .274, with 390 RBIs, and 55 home runs.

One of his most shining moments was at bat. During Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Molina stepped up to the plate. It was the top of the ninth inning. The game was tied at 1–1. This was the Cardinal’s last chance to go to the World Series that season. He hit a home run! That gave the Cardinals a 3–1 lead. The team went to the World Series and won it all. Molina helped get them there, both with his catching and his hitting.

Awards of All Kinds

Molina’s playing has earned him plenty of attention. Fans know they can count on the Cardinal’s star catcher. And Molina has gotten lots of rewards for his hard work and skill.

Molina has won the Fielding Bible Award four times, from 2007 to 2010. He also won four Gold Glove awards, from 2008 to 2011. He is one of the only catchers to have won four of these awards. Only five other catchers have won more than four. Molina looks like he might join their number.

The famous catcher has also played in several All-Star games. His first All-Star game was in 2009. Three Cardinals teammates played in the game: Molina, Albert Pujols, and Ryan Franklin. He even played in a starting position, and it was his very first All-Star Game. It wasn’t his last either. Molina also was chosen for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 All-Star Games. He was the only Puerto Rican to play in 2010.

The Gold Glove Award

One of the biggest prizes in baseball is the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Every year, the best players in the field get the award. Usually, 18 awards are given out in total: one to each position on both the American and National Leagues. Managers and coaches vote, although they can’t vote for their own players.

Molina has won 4 Gold Gloves so far. That’s pretty impressive. However, he has a lot of work to do to catch up to the person with the most awards.

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