(St. Louis) Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright and receiver Yadier Molina paired in a 325e game on Wednesday, setting a major league record for games together with such duties.
Posted yesterday at 8:55 p.m.
The St. Louis club duo broke the regular-season mark of 324 that Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan fashioned with the Detroit Tigers from 1963 to 1975.
Wainwright and Molina received a standing ovation from the crowd at Busch Stadium as they made their way to the dugout before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“A lot has happened in that time frame and that’s why I find that record so great,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. I don’t think another duo is going to come close. »
Molina excelled in a 4-1 victory for his team: he hit a single run, breaking the tie at 1-1, in addition to pinning a runner attempting to steal, at second base.
Towels with the number 325 were given to supporters when they arrived at the stadium.
Wainwright’s first shot was a quick one to Christian Yelich for a strike.
Highlights from the careers of Wainwright and Molina were shown on the giant screen after the first inning.
Wainwright and Molina first teamed on April 6, 2007, in Houston. Wainwright posted a 4-2 win, the first of his 213 wins with Molina at receiver.
Aged 40, Molina has already indicated that he will retire at the end of the season.
Wainwright, who is 41, has yet to make a decision on the matter.
The closest pair is with the Cubs: Kyle Hendricks and Willson Contreras have played 105 games together.
Only six active players were already in the big leagues on April 6, 2007 — Albert Pujols, Nelson Cruz, Miguel Cabrera, Zack Greinke, Rich Hill and Justin Verlander.
Wainwright and Molina are great friends off the court. Wainwright introduced Molina to NHL hockey. They attended several games together in 2019, as the St. Louis Blues were on their way to winning the Stanley Cup.
Last November, Wainwright and his family celebrated American Thanksgiving at the Molina residence in Puerto Rico.