5 moments the St. Louis Cardinals earned their villain stripes in 2021

ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 01: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their walk-off victory against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 1, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 01: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their walk-off victory against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 1, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 03: Benches clear after Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds slides safely into home base to score on a wild pitch and celebrates over pitcher Jake Woodford #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals during their game at Great American Ball Park on April 03, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds won 9-6. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 03: Benches clear after Nick Castellanos #2 of the Cincinnati Reds slides safely into home base to score on a wild pitch and celebrates over pitcher Jake Woodford #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals during their game at Great American Ball Park on April 03, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds won 9-6. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Yadier Molina shoves Nick Castellanos, leading to benches clearing brawl

For many seasons, Yadier Molina has garnered the boos from many a fan base around the major leagues. From Cincinnati to Chicago and even New York to San Diego, fans love to hate on Yadi. The way Molina fights for his team and teammates, it is easy to see why Molina gets that lack of love. And then all of the love when he’s in St. Louis.

On April 3, it was a 6-2 game entering the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds. Cardinals reliever Jake Woodford hit Nick Castellanos in the ribs with a 92 mph sinker. Some words were exchanged, but Castellanos took his base.

As Castellanos ran later that inning to score on a wild pitch, Castellanos collided with Woodford, stood up and flexed over him. Molina took offense and shoved Castellanos, which led to a clearing of benches.

While fans of the Reds have had disdain in their hearts dating back to the 2010 brawl involving Molina and Brandon Phillips, Castellanos is ok with Molina.

Interesting, indeed. Reds fans don’t share that sentiment with Castellanos!