Yadier Molina back in the canoeing of cardinals as a temporary coach

ST. Louis – Yadier Molina returned to the Cardinals canoe this weekend for the first time since the end of his 19 -year -old career in 2022.

The former 43 -year -old receiver was in uniform as a coach for a match on Friday evening and will do the same Saturday evening, against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium.

“I think it will be a good time,” said Oliver Marmol, director of cardinals. “It’s 48 hours, but even the short period, I mean, we just spent a little time together, but even in itself, it was just fun, and for other guys too.”

Molina did not hesitate to accept Marmol’s invitation to join him on the bench.

“It was great news when Oli invited me,” said Molina. “I said to myself, why not go there, look at baseball and try to help the team improve? We have young people who really need an experience I can bring and show them. I am happy to help.”

Molina joined the organization as a special assistant of the president of baseball operations John Mozeliak on December 6, 2023, but was not at the Busch stadium since her attendance at the retirement ceremony of her teammate Adam Wainwright at the end of the 2023 season.

Molina will manage Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic 2026, but said that it would be at least a year after that before considering a full -time position as a large league coach.

“It’s the plan,” said Molina. “I finished with my son. It is a [high school] Senior right now. After completing his studies, it is probably when I start to train in major leagues. “”

With a potential career of coaches on the horizon, the 10 times more star winners and nine times Gold Glove remains focused on the present. He will spend part of his 48 -hour stay in St. Louis working with the team’s catchers.

“When I signed with the cardinals, I always wanted to meet him,” said receiver Yohel Pozo. “He is my favorite player since I was young, but now that I have it here, it’s like, Oh my God. It is like a dream come true. Having him here, I told him a little and the way he speaks, the way he is expressed is really nice.”

The cardinals have gone 212-228 without qualifying for the post-season game since Molina’s retirement, but the longtime receiver thinks that the future looks brilliant.

“You have to be part of the match,” said Molina. “We are in a position that we do not like right now. Obviously, we have to play better baseball, but I think we are there. We have the talent. I am a fan of this team. I think we are really playing the little game. We are going very well the basics. The launchers must be more stable, but anything can happen. It has happened. We are at eight games.”