Yadier molina

Fredbird better watch his back, because it looks like the Cardinals may have found their new mascot: “Rally Cat.” With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, Yadier Molina stepped up to the plate with the Cardinals trailing the Royals 5-4. After taking the first pitch for a ball, Molina’s at-bat was interrupted when a cat invaded Busch Stadium and sprinted across the outfield. The adorable little feline was able to make it all the way to the warning track before a member of the Cardinals’ grounds crew was able to apprehend him -- not before putting up a little bit of a fight and biting the grounds crew member's hand. This wasn't a black cat -- like the one that cursed the Cubs back in 1969 -- however, as Molina smacked a grand slam on the very next pitch to give the Cardinals an 8-5 lead. Fans immediately recognized the cat’s stroll across the outfield as good … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Cardinals’ Yadier Molina hits a grand slam after ‘Rally Cat’ streaks across the field

MIAMI -- How’s this for a frame job? Nelson Cruz wasn’t trying to conjure any future favor with Joe West over his strike zone. “No, he’s really professional,” Cruz said with a laugh. The Mariners designated hitter simply wanted to take a photo with the distinguished veteran home-plate umpire. So Cruz surprised West right in the middle of the All-Star Game, before his at-bat in the sixth inning, with a wild request. “He was caught off guard, and he was like, what you doing?” Cruz said. “Joe was definitely freaked out. But after Yadier Molina came out, he agreed right away.” Molina played on-field photographer, snapping a perfect shot after Cruz pulled his phone out of his pocket as the umpire and outfielder posed. The Cardinals catcher is known as arguably the best pitch framer in the game, after all. “I told everybody earlier that I was going to do it, and everybody was accepting of … [Read more...] about Nelson Cruz gets Yadier Molina to take picture of him and ump Joe West before at-bat in All-Star Game

Get the flip out of here. Blue Jays outfielder Chris Coghlan channeled his inner Willie Mays Hayes on Tuesday night, leaping over Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina at home plate to score to give Toronto a 3-2 lead in the seventh inning. Coghlan was on first base when Kevin Pillar lined a ball off the right field wall, getting away from Stephen Piscotty. The throw to home plate pulled Molina into the baseline and the quick-thinking Coghlan decided leaping over the catcher was his best way to avoid being tagged out--and it worked. The Blue Jays went onto win the game in 11 innings, but it’s Coghlan’s acrobatics that will have everyone buzzing. … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Blue Jays’ Chris Coghlan flips over Yadier Molina during play at plate

The first unconventional walk was issued in Major League Baseball, as the Cardinals' Yadier Molina was given a free pass without a pitch being thrown. With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth and a runner on second in the season opener between the Cardinals and defending champion Cubs, Chicago manager Joe Maddon elected to issue a free pass to Molina, cementing the Cardinal catcher into baseball history books, and joining the likes of Ron Blomberg as the answer to a trivia question. "It's such a different feeling," said ESPN baseball analyst Jessica Mendoza as boos reigned down from the St. Louis crowd. Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo appeared confused as to what was going on. The move, however, backfired after Cubs reliever Mike Montgomery eventually loaded the bases before giving up a one-out walk-off base hit to Randall Grichuk. … [Read more...] about Cardinals’ Yadier Molina first MLB player to receive intentional walk without pitch being thrown

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina says the security at the World Baseball Classic was far from world-class on Saturday night. Molina ripped the league in an Instagram post after a fight broke out near Team Puerto Rico’s family section during a 9-4 win over Mexico in Guadalajara. “MLB,,, its a shame that you are more interested in making money and not in the security of our family,” Molina wrote. “its a shame that the players have to be worried about the safety of our family when you were supposed to have security for them,, Horrible organization for this event, no security for the players family ,, its a shame MLB.” Puerto Rico’s players emerged from the dugout and bullpen before the start of the ninth inning to observe the skirmish and check on their relatives. After the game, Cubs second baseman Javier Baez told reporters that when he spotted the brawl, “I saw my family and everybody’s family trying to … [Read more...] about Yadier Molina rips MLB over World Baseball Classic security after fight breaks out near family section

SAN FRANCISCO — For years it has been said that no player in baseball means more to his team than Yadier Molina means to the Cardinals. So to essentially remove him now, because of an oblique injury, from this evenly matched NLCS seemingly creates a significant advantage for the Giants. Throw in the fact that ace Adam Wainwright has been compromised in this post-season by a tender elbow, while closer Trevor Rosenthal is making every ninth inning an adventure lately, and the Cardinals sure do look to be in big trouble. And yet somehow you can’t help thinking that only makes them more dangerous. Maybe that’s an overreaction to years of spending Octobers in St. Louis, trying to figure out what makes the Cardinals so clutch, but it’s one you hear echoed around baseball. As one NL executive said on Monday, “Obviously it’s not luck that they’re in the postseason every year. They’re as tough-minded a ballclub as there is and you just … [Read more...] about Cardinals lose Yadier Molina to oblique injury, but don’t count them out of NLCS

Jonathan Lucroy may have found the most moving argument for his All-Star bid: he's not a Cardinal. The Brewers released an ad for their catcher that was a mock of local political ads, urging fans to vote him onto the National League roster over five-time All Star Yadier Molina. With the sound of a crying baby in the background, the ad hits on the nerves of Brewers fans — and likely fans of other teams across the country — that have grown tired of being lectured about "The Cardinal Way." LuCroy, who is hitting .335 with 32 RBI (to Molina's .284 with 25) even gives the "I approve this message," at then end of the spoof. “Jonathan Lucroy is not only the best catcher in the National League,” the announcer says, “Most importantly, he’s not a St. Louis Cardinal. According to St. Louis reporters, the Cardinals and Molina were "surprised," by the ad and would not be joining in the fun and games. After all that is not the … [Read more...] about In hyping up Jonathan Lucroy for the All-Star Game, Brewers take a shot at Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina

Yadier Molina is still held in contempt in the heart of every Mets fan after the 2006 National League Championship Series, where he crushed both the Amazin's dreams of making the World Series and an Aaron Heilman pitch for a series-winning home run.crushed - even the staunchest Mets backers would respect what Molina did Tuesday night.Check out the video: Join the Conversation: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina holds on as he’s run over by Pirates’ Josh Harrison in collision at plate

PITTSBURGH — The St. Louis Cardinals held catcher Yadier Molina out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates a day after injuring his back, neck and shoulder in a violent home plate collision with Pittsburgh second baseman Josh Harrison. SEE IT: MOLINA GETS RUN OVER BY HARRISON Molina left Tuesday night’s 9-0 loss at the end of the second inning after Harrison bowled him over while trying to score from second on a single to right field by Jose Tabata. Harrison’s left shoulder slammed into Molina’s helmet, sending Molina tumbling to the ground. Tony Cruz caught the rest of the game and started in place of Molina on Wednesday. The team also recalled catcher Bryan Anderson from Triple-A Memphis as insurance. Molina is listed as day-to-day. The Cardinals travel to Washington to begin a four-game series on Thursday. Keith Srakocic/AP Molina is helped off the field by the Cardinals' trainer. Join the Conversation: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Catcher Yadier Molina out of St. Louis Cardinals lineup a day after violent home-plate collision with Pirates’ Josh Harrison