Yadi makes pitching (?) debut in playoff game

You're never too old to try out new things

January 19th, 2021

We all knew Yadier Molina had a good arm. The current free agent and longtime Cardinals star has long terrified potential basestealers thanks to the cannon that's attached to his shoulder. Molina led the league in caught stealing percentage four times in his career, and is known for his patented snap throws to nab unsuspecting runners.

Well, Molina got the chance to throw from a different vantage point on Monday. Playing for Atenienses de Manatí in the Puerto Rican Winter League's playoff semifinals, Molina gave up DH-ing in the ninth inning (after going 2-for-4 at the plate, natch), with Atenienses trailing the Indios de Mayaguez, 19-7.

With socks pulled high and a smile on his face, Molina made the first professional pitching appearance of his career at the tender age of 38. Though he didn't seem to be throwing with maximum effort -- perhaps hoping to keep himself available should the team need him in its next game (or at least not injure himself like José Canseco once did) -- Molina did well on the mound.

Sure, he gave up a home run to former Reds Draft pick David Vidal, but he K'd Royals Minor Leaguer Emmanuel Rivera, who had homered twice already, to end the game. Sadly, you don't get saves for losses.

With Molina on the free-agent market, perhaps teams interested in both a catcher and a reliever will give a call. Kenley Jansen made the switch from catcher to the mound and that worked out well for the Dodgers.