Pedro Oliveira
With a run batted in on his only hit of the game against the San Francisco Giants this past Saturday, the Puerto Rican catcher, Yadier Molina, continued to extend his legacy in MLB and world baseball, despite a slower start to his season than he has been accustomed to in his professional career.
With that he brought his all-time high total to the 1,000 RBIs, becoming not only the seventh all-time member of the franchise for the St. Louis Cardinals to reach such a figure, but also the eighth starting catcher with 2000 hits and 1000 RBIs in the history of baseball. Among this last achievement, he also stands out for being the third foreign catcher, the twelfth Puerto Rican player and also the sixth active player to achieve such numbers at present.
In what has thus far been the final season as a professional for the iconic St. Louis member, every turn at bat has helped further define the legacy of the Yadi with the lumber as well as with the glove, guiding all of his pitchers and keeping the bases out of harm’s way. At 39 years of age, Molina is a symbol of consistency for any Latino, accumulating both individual and collective success in all facets of the sport.
Yadier Molina’s Major League Achievements
He is considered one of the most important leaders in any MLB locker room, so here is a brief list of Molina’s most celebrated career achievements:
- 10 selections to the All-Star Game (seven consecutive from 2009 to 2015)
- 9 Gold Gloves (third-highest number at the position in history)
- 2 World Series wins
- 1 Silver Slugger
- More than 2000 hits in the MLB
- 1000 MLB RBIs
Along with Albert Pujols, there is no doubt that both have been the most important players in the history of the franchise during the modern MLB era. They have been the two essential pillars in the success and growth of the organization during the years 2000 and 2010. And this year represents the farewell of both as two profiles of consistency, dedication and sporting quality beyond baseball, beyond the Latin presence, they are professionals who defined an era that transcends beyond a single continent.
As Buster Posey said moments before Molina scored his 1,000th RBI, it will be very difficult to witness what the Puerto Rican did in the past, and what he continues to achieve today.
