It was just a fly out in foul territory. One more for the account of the legendary career of Puerto Rican Yadier Molina. But this had an additional meaning.
The fly ball, which came off the bat of the Pirates’ Ke’Bryan Hayes in the first game of the doubleheader with the Cardinals on Tuesday, was Molina’s 14,865th career out, surpassing the Hall of Fame member. Fama and also Puerto Rican Iván Rodríguez, for the absolute Major League record for a catcher.
The brand was exalted on the board at Busch Stadium. Molina responded by removing his mask in recognition of the standing ovation from the public.
Molina outplayed Rodríguez despite playing nearly 3,000 fewer games (20,348 innings for Rodríguez to 17,962 for Molina).