PHILADELPHIA -- No player has caught more games in MLB history for one team than Yadier Molina has for the Cardinals.
That became official in the fifth inning of Monday's 6-5 loss against the Phillies, when Molina passed Gabby Hartnett by catching his 1,757th game in a Cardinals' uniform. Molina, who will turn 36 next month, will have ample time to build on the mark: He is in his 15th season with St. Louis and is signed through 2020.
Molina passed another Hall of Famer earlier this year on a different durability-based list, eclipsing Johnny Bench in all-time innings caught. Molina currently ranks 13th on that list.
Hartnett, who is in the Hall of Fame, played 19 seasons with the Cubs.
"It's a [point of] pride," Molina said after tying Hartnett's mark Sunday night. "I thank God for giving me help to play this game. I've been happy to have been here since my first day, and I'm going to be happy to retire as a Cardinal because this organization means a lot to me and this city means a lot to me."
Molina went 3-for-4 in Monday's contest, finishing a triple shy of the cycle with two runs scored.