The legacy of Yadi

The Cardinals and their fans aren’t the only ones who will miss Yadier Molina while the perennial All-Star catcher is on the disabled list.

Fellow catchers throughout the majors will also miss watching the Puerto Rican legend.

“With all due respect to all the other major league catchers, the game is more enjoyable when he is back there,” Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli says. “I’m praying for him because he’s a great human being and the best catcher I’ve seen in my life.”

Cervelli cringed after seeing a replay of Molina getting hit in the pelvic area when Kris Bryant fouled back Jordan Hicks’ 102-mph fastball.

“He took a missile,” Cervelli said. “I wouldn’t wish that on any catcher. I’ve taken a few hits there, but I’ve been lucky that mine haven’t been that severe.”

Molina sustained a traumatic hematoma during that incident on May 5 at Busch Stadium. He required emergency surgery later that evening. He is expected to be out at least four weeks.

A rival on the Chicago Cubs but a Puerto Rican countryman, Victor Caratini echoed Cervelli’s concerns.

“I have a good relationship with Yadi, we stay in contact,” Caratini told La Vida Baseball. “He’s a leader for Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans and a key player the Cardinals. It’s a tough injury one can’t avoid; it’s part of the game. I sent him a get well soon message. He knows I wish the best for him.”

Willson Contreras has commented about Molina’s legacy in the past, and needed to clear things up in the media over the winter. The Cubs catcher sympathized with Molina.

“It could have been me or it could have been another catcher…That is one of the worst pains that one can feel behind home plate,” the Venezuelan backstop told La Vida Baseball. “There are things that happen, it’s something one can’t control. I wish Yadi a very good recovery and [hope] that he returns to the diamond very soon because Latinos and fans like to watch him play.”

Molina, who passed Hall of Famer Johnny Bench for 16th on the career games caught list (1,743), has been the standard-bearer for Latino catchers in recent history. Only four Latinos – Benito Santiago (1,917), Hall of Famer Al Lopez (1,918), Tony Peña (1,950) and Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez (2,427) – have caught more games than Molina.

“He controls the game,” Cervelli said. “The numbers can’t show it, but it’s what he does best. The way he controls it, the way he keeps everything in order.”

Cervelli has paid close attention to the master behind the plate.

“I love watching him play,” Cervelli said. “I’ve learned so much watching him play. From Yadi, everyday there’s something to learn. Every day.”

Latino Catchers (NL) Central

Molina, Cervelli, Caratini and Contreras of the Cubs and the Brewers’ Manny Piña (Venezuela) have made names for themselves in the NL Central.

“It’s chévere,” Cervelli said, using a word that means cool in Spanish. “It’s really good when you look behind the plate and there are so many Latinos doing it,” he said. “We were born for it.”

Every one of them goes about their craft in their own way.

Although Cervelli is adamant that they cannot lose their individual identities, he definitely studies his peers.

“You have to create your own path,” he said, “but you take some positives from each and you incorporate them into your repertoire.”

Durability is one thing the younger catchers hope to add to their catalog of skills from Molina. In his first 14 seasons, Molina has played in at least 100 games in all but one season, his rookie campaign. That longevity also sets Molina apart.

“The thing that makes me tip my sombrero is that he’s playing night and day everyday he’s doing it,” Cervelli said. “I think that’s more mental than anything.”

That’s what made Molina’s injury tougher to stomach for Cervelli. A stroke of bad luck will force Molina to miss an extended period of time, leaving the Cardinals without their leader.

“I think the Cardinals play the game according to the book, in the correct form, and (Molina) is the one who sets the tone for their game,” Cervelli said. “Everything revolves around Yadier. Yadier is the boss of that team.”

Sinhue Mendoza contributed reporting to this story.

Featured Image: Michael Thomas / Getty Images Sport