Yadi named ASG replacement, won't attend

Yadier Molina was so enamored with his 39th birthday present that he’s hoping to get the same gift when he turns 40 in 2022.

The Cardinals’ catcher was named to his 10th All-Star Game on Saturday morning, but he said he will not be attending the festivities at Coors Field set for Tuesday -- his birthday -- citing the need to rest his right foot, which landed him on the injured list once this season, to be ready for the second half.

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“It’s something that I decided because it's my health,” Molina said. “I want to take those four days and rest and try to do it for the team also, because they’re going to need me. I think that was the smart decision.”

It was not a decision Molina necessarily desired to make, being voted in by his peers and knowing many times over how special the week can be, also with a penchant for viral moments. The Brewers’ Omar Narváez was named as Molina’s replacement.

“Yeah, it is sad,” Molina said, “because that day is my birthday. I mean, I’d love to go there and be part of it on my birthday and do something good, something good for everyone to remember. But like I said, it’s something that I need to do as far as to be healthy to come back stronger for the second half.”

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It was a decision Molina made with the support of his club.

“I said, ‘You made yourself a tremendous teammate,’” said manager Mike Shildt. “Regardless of how many times you've been [to the All-Star Game], you want to go and enjoy that experience and receive the accolades and be with the best in the game for a special night. … But I think he’s being such a gracious teammate for making sure he's physically recouping and ready to go to play the second half.”

Molina endured a tendon strain in his right foot that landed him on the injured list for 11 games from late April to early May. He’s started 65 of the Cardinals' 89 games.

Also making the decision difficult was some of the history that came with Molina’s 10th career All-Star nod:

• He passed Bob Gibson, Albert Pujols and Red Schoendienst for fourth-most in Cardinals history (tying Enos Slaughter).
• He tied Pujols for second-most among active players (one behind Miguel Cabrera).
• He has the most career nods among players in this year’s game.
• He moved into a tie for ninth-most all-time among catchers.

Molina tied Hall of Famer Gary Carter and 1963 MVP Elston Howard in career All-Star Games. Of the eight catchers with more, six are in the Hall of Fame.

“I love our Hall of Fame, because it's such a challenge to get into. It’s super rarefied air,” Shildt said. “But I think people are fighting the short battle if they’re going to debate Yadier Molina being in the Hall of Fame at this point in his career. He’s a Hall of Fame player. Simple as that.”

Despite not going, the honor comes after Molina missed out on being included on the initial All-Star rosters in favor of J.T. Realmuto, who was selected by the player vote behind Buster Posey. Posey, though, landed on the injured list with a thumb injury on Friday.

Molina, for his part, finished in second place after Phase 2 of the fan vote with 25 percent of the total, behind Posey’s 58 percent. Molina now joins Nolan Arenado and closer Alex Reyes as the third Cardinals player chosen to go to Denver this year. In addition, the club's head trainer, Adam Olsen, will be part of the NL’s coaching staff.

So Molina will return home to Puerto Rico instead to celebrate his 39th birthday in comfort, around friends and family. He’ll do that, watch the All-Star Game from afar and some games for the basketball team he and his wife, Wanda, now own, Vaqueros de Bayamón.