ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Sometimes the business side of baseball just has to take a back seat to allow legendary stories to be fulfilled. The tale of Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright needs one more year to forever be supplanted in baseball lore.
The 39-year-old catcher just signed an extension with the St. Louis Cardinals – the only franchise he's ever been part of – to return in 2022 for what he says will be his final season in baseball. Wainwright, who turns 40 in a few days, has said he will retire after either this season or next. Yadi is hoping to get one more with him.
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Molina was asked in his press conference on Wednesday – with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak present – about his hopes for Wainwright to also return next season.
"I would love for that to happen," Molina says. "Hopefully Waino and Mo get together and find something to get this done. I love this man. I love Waino. He's a great teammate. He's a great person. I would love to finish my career with him."
He said every day after Wainwright signed his deal to return to St. Louis in January he would get a call or message from the pitcher asking, "What are you gonna do? You need to sign back!"
"Now it's my turn to call him every day," Molina says. "Because I need you to come back. I need you. I can't do this by myself."
If Wainwright's performance this season is any indication, the Cardinals won't have to make a deal just for legacy's sake. He's been the unquestioned, most-reliable pitcher for St. Louis this year.
In the NL, he's 3rd in innings pitched, tied for the most complete games, and has both the 10th-best ERA and WHIP.
With their next start together as a battery, which is set to happen on Saturday, it will be the 299th time together. They're currently fourth on the all-time list and are nine starts away from tying Red Faber and Ray Schalk of the Chicago White Sox at 306.
If Wainwright does return next season, the pair could certainly have the opportunity to finish No. 1 on the list. Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan of the Detroit Tigers own the top spot at 324 games.
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