St. Louis — After two World Series titles and eight Gold Gloves it doesn't take a St. Louis fanatic to know that Yadier Molina makes the St. Louis club house run. He's the grease in the gears, the prime in the prime-rib, the Mr. Miyagi to the Daniel-san.
Which is why, if you're like me, you had a choice four-letter word slip out of your mouth after seeing him go down this past weekend against the Cubs.
Molina is out a month following his emergency surgery to repair what's being called a 'traumatic hematoma.' Yes, it was painful to watch for obvious reasons. But it's also painful for a team coming off a tremendously important sweep of the Cubs.
Did you see how the Cardinals played following Molina's injury? If you were strong enough to endure the 18 gross innings that was displayed against the Twins the last two days, congratulations, you are more dedicated than I.
Obviously the brutal back-to-back late night, extra-inning and into early afternoon games are somewhat to blame. But I couldn't help but think immediately after seeing Molina go down that this team is going to struggle in his absence. After all, who can manage a game better than Yadi? He still has the prowess of a top catcher. He was also on pace to have a career year at the plate, leading a team struggling to find their offensive groove.
My initial thought Sunday morning? The Cardinals are ******.
But, after lighting my Columbo cigar and doing some nifty research, I found there's actually a long history to suggest just the opposite.
From his latest injury to his first disabled list stint in 2005, here's a complete history of Molina's time away from the team and how the Cardinals performed without him. As you can see, the Red Birds were able to stay afloat each and every time.
Time Missed Reason Record
5/07/18 - 5/08/18 Hematoma 0-2
4/11/18 - 4/11/18 Suspension 0-1
9/21/15 - 10/4/15 Left Thumb 7-6
7/10/14 - 8/28/14 Right Thumb 21-20
7/31/13 - 8/14/13 Right Knee 6-8
6/05/13 - 6/05/13 Suspension 0-1
7/06/12 - 7/12/12 Bereavement 2-1
8/04/11 - 8/09/11 Suspension 4-1
5/30/07 - 6/28/07 Left Wrist 14-12
7/08/05 - 8/17/05 Left Pinkie 22-13
Total record: 76-65
76-65? Not terrible. At all.
In fact, that's a .539 winning percentage, two points better than the Rockies' win percentage last year (.537) that won them a wild card spot in the playoffs. It's also 24 points better than the Cardinals' 2006 season (.515) that eventually took them to the World Series title.
Of course this table is covering a period spanning more than a decade with countless players, one named Albert Pujols, a team that also had a manager whose name rhymes with pupusa. But it also doesn't sell short Molina's ability to call a game and manage a battery to near perfection.
The Cardinals are in first place right now heading into San Diego with a very exciting young catcher in Carson Kelly who is eager to prove himself at the Major League level. Can the Cardinals win a World Series without Molina right now? I don't think so. But they'll certainly be able to stay afloat until he returns next month.
Oh, and don't worry, mom. I don't actually smoke cigars. I simply still have an affinity for Columbo movies.