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News, Blog and GuidesYadier Molina, who turned 39 last month, confirmed he will retire after the 2022 MLB season, which he will spend with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Stats PerformUpdate: Aug 25th, 2021 17:47 EDT
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Fresh off agreeing to a one-year extension to remain with the St. Louis Cardinals, longtime catcher Yadier Molina announced he plans to retire following the 2022 season.
Molina verified speculation that the 2022 campaign would be his last at a press conference prior to St. Louis’ home game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. The Cardinals announced on Tuesday that the 10-time All-Star would be returning next season on a one-year deal.
Molina’s career spent at St Louis
The 39-year-old has spent his entire 18-year career with St. Louis, though a return in 2021 was not finalised until he and the Cardinals were able to agree to a one-year, $9million contract just prior to the start of spring training. Molina said he wanted to avoid a similar situation this winter and informed his agent to begin negotiations as soon as possible.
“That’s why my agent and myself came to [president of baseball operations John Mozeliak] and told them I want to stay here,” Molina said. “I want to get it done this early and not put this on the organisation in free agency again, because it’s going to be my last year and I want to finish here with this great organisation.”
👀 Not done yet!Yadi is coming back for his 19th season in 2022. pic.twitter.com/jsLb1LESSb
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 24, 2021
Molina’s records
A key member of the Cardinals’ last two World Series championship teams in 2006 and 2011, Molina’s 2,120 career games played are the third-most in franchise history behind only Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Lou Brock. He holds the major league record for most games as a catcher with one team at 2,081, and his nine Gold Gloves trail only Ivan Rodriguez (13) and Johnny Bench for the most by a catcher.
