Yadier Molina is no longer a jumping chicken. But that does not mean that the 38-year-old catcher can not show how good he is still behind the plate.
With non-roster-invited Jose Siri kneeling for Houston at first base, Molina tried to pick him and nearly beat the rookie. That’s when Siri committed a cardinal sin: he waved his finger as if to say, “no, don’t get me.”
Add Michael Jordan “And I Have It Personally” poison here.
Molina sees the gesture and points to the second base, daring Siri to take off and try to fight a base against one of the greatest defensive catchers in baseball history. Two places later, Siri obliged, and what followed was not just a caught steal, but one where the runner was about 10 feet outside.
Yadi must have gotten a good pitch to throw up, you might think. Actually, it was a low change. Maybe you’re wondering if Siri stumbled. Nope. It was pure Yadier Molina who made Yadier Molina things like he was 28 instead of 38.
The moral of the story: Start on Yadi at your own risk, especially if you just provoked his anger.