Bernie: Yadier Molina and Buster Posey. There’s Nothing To Argue About. Both Are Hall Of Famers.

Buster Posey announced his retirement on Thursday, packing up his catcher’s gear at age 34 after a distinguished 12-season MLB career.

Posey should be an easy call for the Hall of Fame. The Giants’ catcher was the NL MVP in 2012, won four Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove, was named to seven All–Star games, anchored a three-time World Series champion, and provided terrific offense with a .302 average and .841 OPS.

I don’t see why anyone would choose to exclude Posey from the Hall of Fame, but stranger things have happened. And historically too many voters are hard on catchers, nitpicking away for a variety of reasons. Too many voters fail to appreciate the overall value of catchers, because there is no WAR that can quantify their ability to scout hitters, form a game plan, do a shrewd job of calling pitches, and serving as a psychologist for pitchers gone haywire.

There aren’t enough catchers in the Hall of Fame, making it a strangely downgraded position. Which, of course, makes absolutely no sense; catchers have immense responsibility, the most physically demanding job in the game, and are at the center of every competition. The fact that Ted Simmons had to wait until age 72 before getting a call from Cooperstown — well, that’s all we need to know.

Now I want to talk about something that really bugs me. Something that’s truly absurd and petty and completely unnecessary.

As soon as word of Posey’s imminent retirement entered social-media’s bloodstream, the usual feuding and sniping ensued.

Instead of saluting their guy and leaving it at that, many Posey fans felt compelled to trash Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. And of course, because Twitter is an easily accessible hammer, Molina fans responded by denigrating Posey. I think a few Joe Mauer loyalists stopped by to sling some mud.

I really appreciate those who joined the conversation and tried to temper the mouthbreathers by reminding everyone of a simple fact: Posey and Molina both belong in the Hall of Fame. These two National League legends of their time can be voted in; I’m unaware of any rule that will prevent voters from checking the boxes by both of their names.

The same applies to Mauer. But for now, I’m keeping most of this focused on Molina and Posey because I’m based in a National League city and saw Posey and Molina play a lot of games: regular season, postseason you name it.

Now, we can all have a civil conversation about who had the better career. Both catchers belong in the Hall of Fame — but for different reasons. And that doesn’t matter. You can fixate on Posey’s elite offense, or you can obsess on Molina’s historically prominent defense. But it’s silly to look at the other side.

Posey was a good defensive catcher and would have won more than a single Gold Glove if he didn’t play in the same league as Molina. Posey’s throw-out rate (33%) doesn’t match Molina’s 41% rate — but it’s good.

And while Yadier can’t match Posey’s rate statistics on offense — not even close — Molina’s longevity puts him in a special group. Barring a devastating injury that ruins his 2022, Molina will finish his final season at No. 4 for the most career hits by a MLB catcher. And on the all-time Cardinal list the ranks third in hits behind Stan Musial and Lou Brock. He’s also fourth in doubles, sixth in total bases and seventh in RBIs (soon to be sixth.)

If people want to downgrade Molina because Posey is a better hitter, OK. I don’t know why that’s relevant. Because I could mention that Posey had only 9.8 Defensive Wins Above Replacement during his career. He was a fine catcher, but a better hitter. And so what? Still a Hall of Famer, either way.

Some dismiss “counting stars” which makes no sense to me. Well, at least not in Molina’s case. Yes, Molina has played a long time — next season will be his 19th in the majors. And he’ll turn 40 years old next July. But he isn’t hanging on like some pathetic, withered athlete who should have shut it down a few years ago.

Molina is still an asset to his team; just ask any pitcher on the staff. Since Molina took over at catcher at the start of the 2005 season, the Cardinals have the second-best ERA in baseball. And he’s been the only constant in that equation over the last 17 seasons.

At age 38, Molina threw out 45% of attempted base stealers in 2020 — then followed up with a 41% throw-out rate last season at age 39. And he continues to suppress the running game; since Molina became the full-time starting catcher in 2005, the Cardinals have had the fewest steal attempts against them than any team in the majors. And the margin is huge. Laughable, even.

This established trend was visible again in 2021, when the Cardinals allowed the fewest stolen bases in the NL … and, of course, the fewest steal attempts against them by an NL team.

And while Molina’s career peak on offense is long gone — he’s 14 percent below league average offensively over the last three seasons — the Cardinals and their fans will tell you that they want to see Molina with a bat in his hands for a big spot. He has a .306 average with runners in scoring position over the last six seasons — topped by a .327 average with RISP in 2021.

No one should hold Posey’s relatively short career against him. He was special. The Giants don’t win three World Series titles without him. Posey was worn down by playing in so much pain, didn’t want to be hobbled in a lasting way, and concluded that it was time to move on.

Just as well, Molina shouldn’t be maligned because he’s still playing and showing increasing signs of wear and tear after catching more than 18,000 MLB innings (including the postseason.) Molina is the Cardinals’ team leader, continues to curate a winning culture, and is the touchstone for players of all ages who come to him for advice. He’s also nestled in place as the No. 2 catcher, all-time, in Defensive Wins Above Replacement, with 26.8. Only Pudge Rodriguez (29.6) has more. (Source: Baseball Reference.)

If Molina was a sad, broken-down figure the Cardinals wouldn’t have been a postseason team in each of the last three seasons. And he’s the only Cardinal that’s been in place — as a driving force — for the team’s 13 postseason appearances since he arrived in the majors in 2004.

I’ve already praised Posey’s leading role in San Francisco’s three World Series championships. And the Giants made the playoffs in five of his 12 seasons. But if we’re going to talk about that, as we should, it’s fine to note that Molina has been the starting catcher for a team that’s made it to 13 postseasons during his time, winning two World Series and four NL pennants. Molina has competed in more postseason games than any player in NL history. And he’s been in there for 52 postseason wins — the most ever by an NL player.

And I feel like I need to say this. It will be interpreted by some as a poke at Posey, and at Mauer. It is not intended as such. But Molina’s endurance behind the plate is remarkable. Posey and Mauer have spent time at other positions. Posey, for example, logged 260 games at first base or designated hitter. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s smart. But this also makes Molina’s longevity even more notable and remarkable.

This one made me smile — it’s just crazy.

— In the regular season Molina has caught 17,666 and ⅓ innings. Posey and Mauer caught 17,174 and ⅔ innings — combined.

— Molina has caught 2,107 games in the majors. Posey and Mauer caught 2,014 — combined.

I don’t particularly care how you choose to line them up.

Molina, then Posey.

Posey, then Molina.

It’s fine with me. They shared an era. They shared honors and accolades and raised championship trophies. They shared greatness. It’s been a privilege to watch both of them take their places as two of the best catchers in MLB history. And both are Hall of Famers. No arguments there.

Thanks for reading …

Have a wonderful weekend.

–Bernie

Bernie invites you to listen to his opinionated sports-talk show on 590-AM The Fan, KFNS. It airs Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. and Friday from 4-6 p.m. You can listen by streaming online or by downloading the “Bernie Show” podcast at 590thefan.com — the 590 app works great and is available in your preferred app store.

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