Two-time World Series champion Yadier Molina is rejoining the St. Louis Cardinals as a special assistant to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.
The team announced the return of the popular 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove-winning catcher on Wednesday.
“We are happy to welcome Yadi back to the Cardinals organization,” Bloom said. “He is an elite competitor, a consistent winner and one of the greatest ever at his position, and we look forward to many contributions during his visits with us in this new role, both in and out of uniform.
“Yadi will provide input on our catching program, will advise our staff on catching and game planning strategy and will give me and our front office valuable perspective from his unique vantage point. Perhaps most important, he will help us nurture in our players the high standards, attention to detail and championship mindset that are so critical to winning.”
Molina, 43, played in 2,224 games over 19 seasons with St. Louis from 2004-22, winning World Series titles in 2006 and 2011. He batted .277 with 2,168 hits, 176 homers and 1,022 RBIs.
He is one of five Cardinals with 2,000 hits and 1,000 RBIs, along with Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby, Albert Pujols and Enos Slaughter.
Molina has managed teams in Venezuela and his native Puerto Rico since his retirement.
