John Smoltz Backs Legendary Catcher to Join the Hall of Fame

0
John Smoltz Backs Legendary Catcher to Join the Hall of Fame
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Let’s go ahead and say it louder for the skeptics in the back: Yadier Molina is a Hall of Famer.

Now, if you’re in St. Louis, you’re probably rolling your eyes at the very idea that this is even a debate. You don’t question Yadi’s greatness the same way you don’t question the Arch’s height or the necessity of Provel cheese on pizza. But outside of the Gateway City, there’s a small crowd of numbers-only purists trying to argue Molina’s career doesn’t “measure up.” And here’s the thing: they’re wrong.

This isn’t just about what the stat sheets say. It’s about what the greats say — and when names like Johnny Bench, Ted Simmons, and John Smoltz are lining up to sing your praises, that carries more weight than any wRC+ chart could ever hope to.

Endorsements from Legends Who Know the Game

Ted Simmons — a Hall of Famer himself, and no stranger to the art of catching — straight up called Molina “the best defensive catcher I’ve ever seen.” That’s coming from a guy who watched the golden era of backstops, from Yogi to Bench to Sanguillen. Simmons passed the crown without hesitation.

And John Smoltz? One of the nastiest pitchers of his generation? He didn’t just endorse Molina — he celebrated him. Called him a presence, a difference-maker, a guy who could pull the best out of a pitcher even on his worst day. Smoltz threw to him in the twilight of his career and still left convinced: Yadi was the best.

Defensive Dominance That Defined an Era

Defensive Dominance That Defined an Era
© Jeff Curry Imagn Images

Then there’s the stolen base stat — the mic drop moment for anyone still clinging to the numbers. From 2005 to 2022, the Cardinals allowed the fewest stolen bases in baseball. It wasn’t close. Molina didn’t just slow the run game, he shut it down. Arizona was the next closest team, and they allowed 424 more stolen bases over that span. That’s not marginal impact — that’s generational dominance.

Sure, if you laser focus on slash lines and advanced metrics, you won’t be wowed. .277 average, 176 homers, a .726 OPS. Respectable, but not eye-popping. But if you understand baseball, you know that Molina owned the game in ways the spreadsheet can’t measure.

He was a psychologist, a strategist, a field general, and a brick wall all in one. He didn’t just call games, he commanded them. And he didn’t just throw runners out, he dared them to run.

Look, the Hall of Fame is meant for players who shaped the game, not just filled box scores. Yadi did that for two decades, without flash, without fanfare — just unmatched preparation, instincts, and toughness.

So when his name comes up on that ballot? Don’t overthink it. Don’t pull out the analytics decoder ring. Just listen to the legends.