Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina retiring after 2022 season

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals 10-time All-Star catcher Yadier Molina retiring after 2022 season

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/25/21

Word broke Tuesday that 10-time All-Star catcher and future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina would return to the St. Louis Cardinals for his 19th season with the club and in MLB via a one-year contract extension said to be worth $10 million.

Not done yet!

Yadi is coming back for his 19th season in 2022. pic.twitter.com/jsLb1LESSb
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 24, 2021

According to David Adler of the league's website, the veteran who turned 39 years old last month told reporters ahead of Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers that 2022 will be his "Last Dance" in the big leagues.

"Well, it's enough," Molina explained. "I mean, 19 years is a long career, and my position is a tough one. Right now, I would like to do my best and I'm going to train my body hard, but it's hard."

Molina has played only for the Cardinals since 2004 and began Wednesday batting .259 with eight home runs and 51 RBI across 95 games this season. In total, he is a nine-time Gold Glove Award winner who earned World Series rings with St. Louis in 2006 and 2011.

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