Although he will hang up his spikes at the end of the Cardinals’ season in a few weeks, Puerto Rican Yadier Molina will soon return to a baseball dugout. This Thursday, it was announced that Molina will be the manager of the Puerto Rico team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Molina, who will have worn the Puerto Rican colors in all the previous editions of the Clásico, participated for the first time in the event in 2006, when he was just 23 years old and had yet to have a season with an OPS of at least .700 in the majors. He returned to the next three editions in 2009, 2013 and 2017, being selected to the All-Star Team in the last two. Now, from the position of helmsman, the Puerto Rican will seek the coveted title of the World Baseball Classic. Although Molina has been seen as a second driver on his teams throughout his career, because of his work behind the plate, he will come into the World Baseball Classic with real experience in the role. Molina is expected to serve as foreman for the Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.
