News broke on Saturday that Yadier Molina was undergoing a clean up procedure on his right knee. This shouldn’t be a cause for concern for St. Louis Cardinals fans, as Yadi is expected to be ready before the beginning of Spring Training.
Seeing an older player needing surgery can be a huge red flag for teams and a sign that a monumental decline is coming. However, St. Louis Cardinals fans don’t have to worry about that with Yadier Molina.
The people around Molina have spared no expense to downplay this seriousness of the surgery. Melvin Roman, Molina’s agent, said about the surgery, “It is something simple. Nothing major.” John Mozeliak believes that the procedure should only sideline Molina for a few days, and which would obviously have no effect on Spring Training or the 2019 season.
Molina has been lauded for his durability, and it is something that he has taken pride in for years. Let’s not forget when former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (man, does it feel great to say that) called Molina tired after a game, and Molina responded in kind.
“I train to play 174 games because that’s what it takes to be Champion, I’m not tired and the day I feel tired I’ll express it myself.” Molina captioned on a picture of Matheny’s quote calling him tired that Molina posted on Instagram. It is clear that Yadi was upset by the implication that he didn’t have the endurance to play the season out, and he more than anyone has the right to be irritated.
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St. Louis Cardinals fans mostly sided with Molina because, quite frankly, he’s earned it. If there is anyone that you shouldn’t criticize for their ability to grind out and play games, it would be Yadier Molina.
The man has caught over 1,000 innings in 10 of his 15 seasons without much of a hitch, which is an awe inspiring achievement. Yadier Molina is in a class of his own in terms of catching longevity, and has proven to be just as durable as he is tough.
He is getting older, and Father Time takes no prisoners, but with so much time to rest before he is required to begin physical activity again, this surgery should be nothing more than an afterthought for St. Louis Cardinals fans.
Yadier Molina has been a mainstay in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup for years, but his swan song is getting ever closer. With that in mind, a knee procedure might scare fans upon first glance, but it will be nothing more than a cloud in the rear view mirror when Spring Training arrives.