Professional Career
Molina made his debut with the Cardinals during their pennant-winning season of 2004, backing up former Gold Glove-winner and current manager Mike Matheny. Molina was picked over Matheny to start Game 4 of the 2004 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The Cardinals eventually lost the World Series to the Red Sox within a 4-game sweep. During the following offseason, Matheny signed a three-year, $10.5-million contract with the San Francisco Giants, clearing the road for Molina to become a starter for St. Louis.
In 2005, Molina's defense did not disappoint, and despite an awful offensive start, Molina proved to be a consistent contact hitter. In 114 games, he posted a .252 batting average with eight home runs and 49 RBIs.
Molina played for the Puerto Rican team in the first World Baseball Classic. He went 3–5 with an RBI in four games.
Before the 2006 season, Molina changed his number from 41 to 4. In 2006, in Game 7 of the NLCS, Molina hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning off Aaron Heilman of the New York Mets, giving the Cardinals a 3–1 lead and helping them secure a trip to the 2006 World Series, where they defeated the Detroit Tigers in five games.
In 2007, Molina had his first two-homer game, against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 16, and ended the season with a .275 batting average, six home runs, and 40 RBIs.
Manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan estimate that Molina is responsible for calling over 75% of all pitches thrown during a game. On January 14, 2008, Molina and the Cardinals agreed to a four-year, $15.5 million deal with a club option for a fifth, cementing his position as their starting catcher. After the 2008 season, Molina received his first of five Gold Glove Awards.
On July 5, 2009, Molina was selected to represent St. Louis in the 2009 Major League Baseball All Star Game as the NL starting catcher. He also won his second Gold Glove award later that year.
On April 5, 2010, Molina hit a grand slam home run; he is only the third Cardinals player to hit a grand slam on Opening Day.
On April 17, 2010, Molina caught all 20 innings of a game between the Cardinals and Mets.
He was shut down for the season after an examination on his sore right knee on September 23.
On November 1, 2010, he won his fourth consecutive Fielding Bible Award as the sole catcher, becoming the first player at any position to win the award unanimously with a perfect score of 100.
On November 10, 2010, he won his third consecutive Gold Glove Award.
On August 2, 2011, he was ejected during a game against the Brewers for arguing a called strike. Umpire Rob Drake accused Molina of spitting on him, although it appeared that Molina never intentionally did anything other than yell at Drake. Molina served a 5-game suspension from MLB for "making contact with umpire Rob Drake multiple times and spraying him with spit twice while arguing." Yadier Molina won his second championship ring when the Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers in the 2011 World Series.
On November 1, 2011, he won his fourth consecutive Gold Glove Award.
On March 1, 2012, he signed a five-year extension with the Cardinals worth $75 million through 2017. His deal includes a no-trade clause and a mutual option for 2018 worth another $15 million.
On September 4, 2012, he got his 1,000th career hit, an infield single against the New York Mets, at home in the second inning.
He finished fourth in the 2012 MVP voting. He and fellow catcher, winner Buster Posey became the first catching pair to finish in the top four in the awards' 88-year history.
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