ST. LOUIS -- Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols are no strangers to bringing Busch Stadium to its feet.
On Saturday afternoon, they did it one more time.
In a ceremony held on the field before Saturday's game between the Cardinals and White Sox, Molina and Pujols were inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.
Following John Sherdel, the grandson of former Cardinals pitcher Bill Sherdel, who spoke at the podium on behalf of his grandfather’s posthumous induction, Molina enjoyed a moment that Cardinals fans have known for a long time would eventually, inevitably arrive.
He slipped into his red jacket.
Molina started out his speech by drawing a few laughs when he called upon longtime Cardinals trainer Chris Conroy. He strode out to the field and applied eye black to Molina’s cheeks, handing him a Cardinals hat -- which Yadi appropriately put atop his head backwards.
Molina became emotional in his delivery, particularly when he began the section of his speech in which he thanked Cardinals coach José Oquendo.
“I’ve had very good coaches, but no one like you,” Molina said, passionately relaying the many ways in which Oquendo strengthened him as a player.
Molina continued a jam-packed speech -- which may have gone over on time, given that Saturday’s first pitch was ultimately delayed by 22 minutes -- by sharing appreciation for Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan, before turning to his longtime batterymate, Adam Wainwright.
“You were the perfect person to have by my side for my ups and downs,” Molina said. “The great and not so good days. I miss those days when I put my finger down, and you execute perfectly.
“I’ve got too many things to say to you, Hermano,” he continued. “But thank you for always being there for me and my family. I cannot wait to see you get your own red jacket very soon.”
Yadi delivered an emotional portion of his speech in Spanish, to members of his family, including his late father, as well as his mother, wife, children and brothers.
Cardinals Spanish language broadcaster Polo Ascencio then translated those portions of the speech into English for the crowd.
One of the most powerful moments of the ceremony came when Molina addressed Pujols.
“This one’s going to be tough,” Molina started. “But I’m ready.”
Molina explained that, when he began his career wearing uniform No. 41, he liked the number and expected to keep it for the long haul.
“Well, that changed in Spring Training in 2006,” he said. “... In that Spring Training, the No. 4 was available. And you know me. I’ve got to be next to No. 5, so I took it.”
Molina choked up again when he referenced a conversation between his late father, Benjamin Molina Sr., and Pujols early in Yadi’s career.
“When my dad asked you to please take care of me, you said to him, ‘Don’t worry, I got him,’” Molina told Pujols through a well of emotion. “From that moment, you were there for me.”
When his time at the podium arrived, Pujols was quick to express his love to Molina, too, describing his induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame as “one of the greatest honors” of his life.
“It is also an honor to be inducted alongside my little brother, Yadier Molina,” Pujols said. “I’m so proud of you. I know your father’s looking down and telling you, well done, son. I love you and I’ll always be here for you.”
Of his own legacy in St. Louis, Pujols described arriving in St. Louis as a young player with a dream, never imagining that all that followed would have ever become possible.
“The Cardinals organization gave me an opportunity, a home and a family, and for that, I will always be grateful,” Pujols said.
Pujols recognized numerous Cardinals representatives by name, including La Russa and the late former general manager Walt Jocketty.
“Tony, thank you for believing in me from the very beginning. You challenged me to be a better player, a better teammate and a better professional. … I will always be grateful for the trust and the confidence you placed in me.”
To Jocketty, who Pujols shared “has a special place” in his heart, Pujols said, “Thank you for seeing something in a young boy, and giving him the opportunity to wear a Cardinals uniform. That decision changed my life forever.”
Taking time to recognize his family, Pujols was also sure to shout out the fans at a packed Busch Stadium.
“The passion, the loyalty and the love you have for Cardinal baseball are unlike anything else in sports,” Pujols said. “That’s why you have the title, the best fans in baseball.”