Cardinals Nation is getting a nostalgic jolt this weekend. Yadier Molina, the face behind the No. 4 and one of the most beloved figures in St. Louis sports history, is back in the dugout. The 10-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and two-time World Series champion will suit up tonight and Saturday against the rival Cubs at Busch Stadium, marking his first appearance in uniform since 2023.
Molina, who played all 19 of his MLB seasons in St. Louis, was already scheduled to be in town for personal reasons and reached out to the team about joining the club during the homestand. He’s not here to make sweeping changes — just to lend his wisdom. “The idea is to come here and help the catchers, give them advice and make them better,” Molina said. “I just want to help the young guys however I can, and I just want to enjoy the game.”
Manager Oliver Marmol jumped at the chance, calling it “a really, really cool experience” for both the team and the fans. Molina will sit beside Marmol in the dugout, offering guidance to a young squad still clinging to Wild Card hopes.
A Future Manager in the Making
Molina, 43, has been candid about his post-playing ambitions. After managing Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, he has his eyes on an MLB managerial role. For now, family commitments keep him from taking on a full-time coaching gig, but appearances like this weekend — and possibly another later this month in Florida — give him a taste of that next chapter.
His resume speaks for itself: 2,168 career hits, 176 home runs, over 1,000 RBIs, and a reputation as one of the greatest defensive catchers of all time. His leadership helped secure two World Series titles, four National League pennants, and 13 playoff appearances. He even teamed with Adam Wainwright to set records for most games and wins as a battery — marks many believe will stand forever.
Molina insists he doesn’t miss playing — just being on the field. And for Cardinals fans, his presence is more than a nostalgia trip. With the club just 5½ games out of the final Wild Card spot, the hope is that the return of No. 4 sparks more than just cheers — maybe even a playoff push.
