ST. LOUIS (KMOX) -- Bengie Molina, Yadier's older brother, suggests you keep the Kleenex nearby this Cardinals season. He expects it to be a special one because Yadi and Albert Pujols are retiring.
"I really do believe the whole fan base -- Cardinal Nation -- is going to be emotional," he says. "They know these are the last at-bats. The last catching duo with Waino. And then Albert, who already said this is his last year."
Bengie joined KMOX's St. Louis Talks in studio to prepare for Opening Day.
He says the decision to reunite the veterans isn't just for entertainment value.
Fans aren't "just going to enjoy Yadi hitting hits or catching a good game or Waino throwing a great game," Molina says. "By bringing these three guys together, they bring so much to the organization. They bring so much to the rookies. I saw a difference. I saw it in Spring Training. I got goosebumps. Dylan Carlson, Harrison Bader, O'Neill."
Molina says, in Florida, some players would finish up for the day, take a shower, pack their bag . . and then glimpse Waino, Yadi, and Pujols head out for another round. . . so they'd follow example, change clothes, and head back out too.
Bengie Molina recalls how it was rough when he himself had to say goodbye to playing the game. Now, he's a commentator on the Cardinals' Spanish-language broadcasts. He says other opportunities to stick around could include coaching or front-office.