# Yadier Molina Agrees to 2022 Contract

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/yadier-molina-agrees-to-2022-contract/
- Published: 2021-08-24T17:17:27-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

YADIER MOLINA AGREES TO 2022 CONTRACT; PREMIER FRANCHISE PLAYER TO RETURN FOR 19TH
SEASON AS A CARDINAL

ST. LOUIS, Mo., August 24, 2021 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they
have agreed to terms with premier franchise catcher [Yadier Molina](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
on a one-year contract for the 2022 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.

“On behalf of the Cardinals and our fans, it gives me great pleasure to announce
that Yadier Molina will continue his franchise legacy for another season in 2022,”
stated Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. “Yadi has continued to play at an All-
Star level this season, and has already established himself among the greatest players
to have ever worn the birds on the bat.”

Molina, 39, a nine-time Rawlings Gold Glove award winner, four-time Platinum Glove
winner and 10-time National League All-Star, has played every game of his career(
2004-21) in a Cardinals uniform, totaling 2,119 games over 18 Major League seasons.
His 2,080 career games behind the plate are the most of any catcher for just one
team.

“We are pleased to announce that Yadi has agreed to cement his career legacy with
the Cardinals for a final season in 2022,” said Cardinals’ President of Baseball
Operations John Mozeliak. “His experience, leadership, work ethic and winning desire
are all part of what we value as an organization.”

Molina’s 18 seasons played solely for the Cardinals, trail only [Stan Musial](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/musiast01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)’
s record 22 seasons. He and [Adam Wainwright](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
have paired up in 298 games, ranking 4th all-time in Major League history in games
started as battery mates.

Molina has helped lead the Cardinals to the World Series four times (2004, 2006,
2011, 2013) and won World Series Championships in 2006 and 2011. He is currently
the active leader in Major League Baseball postseason games played and hits (both
101), the all-time leader among all National League players (6th overall in MLB 
history) and he has played in more postseasons than any other Cardinal in franchise
history with 11.

Among catching leaders, Molina leads all Cardinals and ranks among Major League 
historical leaders in several categories: 4th in games caught (2,080) and starts
at catcher (2,014), 5th in innings caught (17,441.2), 4th in pick-offs (52); 2nd
in putouts (14,446) and total chances (15,551) and 10th in caught stealing percentage(
40.4%).

Molina leads all Cardinals in sacrifice flies (73), ranks 3rd in games played (2,119),
3rd in at-bats (7,455), 4th in doubles (397) and hits (2,089), 7th in runs batted
in (983) and total bases (3,004), and 10th in home runs (168) and extra base hits(
572). On September 24, 2020 Molina became the sixth Cardinals player, and only the
11th primary Major League catcher to record 2,000 career hits.

Yadier was the recipient of the 2018 [Roberto Clemente](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clemero01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
Award, Major League Baseball’s highest service-based honor. Molina’s off-the-field
philanthropic efforts includes Foundation 4, his non-profit charity whose mission
is to create happier lives and futures for underprivileged children in Puerto Rico.
Yadier’s efforts following the 2017 damage done by Hurricane Maria to the island
raised over $800,000, as well as his hands-on efforts less than 48 hours following
the catastrophic weather ordeal. Molina was also voted the 2015 [Darryl Kile](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kileda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)
Award recipient by his teammates.

Molina was drafted by the Cardinals in the 4th round (113th overall selection) of
the 2000 Major League Baseball draft out of Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Yadier is currently ranked 12th all-time among native Puerto Rican’s in career batting
average (.280) and he is one of just 10 players from his homeland to have reached
the 2,000 career hit plateau. Yadi currently stands 12th in RBI (983) among
his countrymen and 17th in home runs (168).

Since its inception in 2006, Molina has played in every World Baseball Classic for
Puerto Rico, totaling 20 games in the global pre-season tournament, finishing runner-
up with the 2017 team, while garnering MVP honors for Pool F.

— STL —

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