ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis' favorite son was back home. Although it's an adopted home for Yadier Molina, it's one he will defend just as strongly as Puerto Rico.
And it's just one of the things that will motivate him this season, especially when he sees the Cubs across the diamond.
"We're going to keep that in mind whatever they say, but we're going to play our game and this year is going to be different," Molina says. "I guarantee you that, this year is going to be different."
Molina says this team gives him a different feeling, especially with the addition of an MVP-caliber first baseman in Paul Goldschmidt. Molina says he was sitting on a boat in Jupiter when he heard the news of the trade.
"I was like 'Give me a beer, give me a beer please, this is great news,'" Molina says.
Although manager Mike Shildt said earlier this weekend Molina doesn't need any help with energy or extra incentives for winning, the catcher says a few things – like the Bryant's comments and the Goldschmidt trade – have been energizing him:
1) The fans who were at Winter Warm-Up to greet him:
2) The fact that he hasn't played a postseason game since 2015:
3) And his recent personal success, winning a ninth career Gold Glove and going to his ninth All-Star Game last season. Two years ago, Molina said he would retire when his contract with St. Louis ends after the 2020 season. But recently his mind has changed.
He says it all depends on what happens the next two seasons, but maybe he pulls the same move his battery mate of 15-years and give it one more year like Adam Wainwright is doing this year.