4 years after 'that's it', Yadier Molina gets set for his real final ride

He's a HOF without another game played, btw.

“That’s it.”

The media room went cold, like someone said the coffee machine was empty and all the other coffee beans were kidnapped. Yadier Molina, one of the most celebrated St. Louis Cardinals in franchise history, had just told the press that he was hanging up his cleats after the conclusion of his current contract-a three-year deal worth $60 million at the time.

Hearing Molina say he wasn’t going to be in the lineup ranked #2 on the charts below those two words I wrote at the very top. A warrior for all warriors, someone who hates days off and took a 101 mph fastball of his testicle, only needing a month to heal (I would have still been crying). This wasn’t something one would ever expect Molina to say before the age of 40.

But he did… and then he didn’t.

COVID-19 struck and ruined the final year of his contract, just like the MLB lockout is threatening to destroy the final year of his career—or at least that’s what he said. Molina, after signing a one-year deal for 2021 after his battery mate and best friend Adam Wainwright did the same, has called 2022 his last. Hopefully, it goes as planned.

It’s a good thing Molina didn’t retire after 2020. This has nothing to do with stats, so I won’t bore you for too long by reminding you the guy is a first ballot Hall of Famer if he didn’t play another game. He has nine Gold Gloves, countless records that include postseason play, and owns a couple World Series rings. His impact on the game and the catcher position is daunting.

No, I’m just glad we get to spend another year watching this guy play. There’s something eternal about Molina catching a baseball game. Few people in the game can still throw out baserunners at his age with such proficiency. The manner in which he calls a game, acts as a shrink for young pitchers in real time, and operates like a field general is unparalleled.

The fact that he can still produce double-digit home run totals and smack 19 doubles around the yard is icing on the cake.

Watching Wainwright and Molina work together in 2021 was a pleasure. Take away everything else about the season, even the September surge. Just leave me the 4 & 50 days at the ballpark. The days that carried the certainty of seeing a duo like no other perform for a paid crowd.

Here’s what you need to remember. Wainwright and Molina both came to prominence in STL around the same time and both plan on leaving at the same time. How often do you see that in today’s game? The fact that they’re both performing at a decent clip (in Waino’s case, more) is groovy.

I’ll take all the extra time with a franchise and baseball legend that I can handle. That includes complaining when he swings at the first pitch and grounds into a double play, doesn’t run out a grounder, or seems like he’s managing the team more than the manager.

Warts and all, more Yadi is still a very good thing.

Before I go, here’s 5 things I know:

~Happy 42nd birthday, Matt Holliday. One of my favorite Cards to watch and cover during his 7 years here. Mozeliak’s best trade, one that paid off big time with fans and the city. Holliday did tons of charity work in the city and broke the myth that Rockies sluggers can’t hit elsewhere. Nobody can forget that tearful final home run trot.

~The latest season of “Cobra Kai” was saved by its finale, but it sure would be nice if all these adults actually followed their own advice and stopped acting like children. A lot of repeated themes. Also, give me more time with Hawk and less with the drama queen LaRusso daughter.

~My wife’s risotto is worth fighting for. As in this delicious Italian dish could start a war between the Romans and the Greeks. The last of the leftovers are currently being obliterated.

~Whenever St. Louis receives its first forecast calling for accumulating snowfall, the entire town acts like they have amnesia and doesn’t know how to handle 2-3 inches (said no human being ever). Grocery stores are drained, Brentwood Promenades become war zones, and Saturday evening (where the streets are clear right now) just smirks. This isn’t Colorado, folks.

~Jeff Curry is who I call the St. Louis staple these days for sports photography. The Ben Bishop/Pat Maroon embrace after the Conference Final in 2019 was his work, as are many others—including the picture for this post. Thanks, Jeff. I owe him a couple beers off tap.