Yardbarker: Jose Molina

Rex Hudler Testimonials Multiply as Phony Physioc Disappears, Forgotten

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:03:27 -0500

In what has become the most controversial move since Arte Moreno changed the name of the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, what appears to have been the directive of new Angels President John Carpino to replace Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler as the team's telecasters. Or at least Hudler's dismissal has become a point of controversy. It seems every major news outlet had a tribute to the Wonderdog while his smarmy partner Steve Physioc has gotten zero love from any...

Hairston and Molina

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:12:27 -0500

I thought with the Yankees carrying two catchers, Posada would start every game of the World Series. Girardi, however is sticking with Jose Molina behind the plate, and he’s also using Jerry Hairston instead of Nick Swisher. Girardi said that Hairston’s record of success against Martinez was one of the factors, in addition to Swisher’s [...]

I hate Jose Molina!

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:01:19 -0500

Does anyone else out there loathe Jose Molina like I do? I hate watching that fat bastard play. I wish the Yanks never signed him, and they probably wouldn’t have if they new what they had with Cervelli. I pray that they don’t re-sign him next year, they don’t need him with Cervelli. I really can’t complain [...]

With Posada on the Bench Others Must Step Up

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:02:00 -0500

There has been way too much made of this whole Posada-Molina-Burnett thing, but one more post won't hurt anyone.A lot of people are worried about losing Posada's bat and having and automatic out at the bottom of the order in Jose Molina. This concerns me slightly, but overall it really shouldn't be a problem. I was watching MLB Network the other night (because it's soooooo much better than ESPN) and I forget who it was, maybe Mitch Williams, who said that if the Yankees can...

Joe G As The Manager Made This Decision

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:40:00 -0500

Joe Girardi told the media today that the decision to start Jose Molina behind the plate when A.J. Burnett pitches was his and that he “have to live with.” For audio of Girardi press conference, go over to the LoHud Yankees blog.As for Molina, he had this to say to the media also from Sam Borden:Question: How does it make you feel that A.J. prefers pitching to you?Answer: “I don’t think it’s A.J.’s decision. It’s the manager. We are here to play and get in the game when Joe says. We really ar...

Girardi: It Was My Decision

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:38:00 -0500

Burnett: I Don't Care Who Catches

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:54:00 -0500

From Steve Popper:Burnett denied that he had anything to do with the decision by Yankees manager Joe Girardi to pair him with Jose Molina as his personal catcher – a decision that will force one of the team's veteran leaders, Jorge Posada, to the bench for Game 2 of the American League Division Series, as well as a potential decisive Game 5. ... "It's making me out to be the bad guy again," said Burnett, stopping to talk on his way off the field from the pregame workout Wedn...

Catching on: Yanks' Molina to handle Burnett

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:30:28 -0500

Joe Girardi is making a gutsy call behind the plate for the New York Yankees. Preparing for his first playoff series as a manager, Girardi confirmed Tuesday that light-hitting backup Jose Molina will catch A.J. Burnett during the postseason. That probably puts longtime Yankees star Jorge Posada on the bench when Burnett pitches, because Girardi said Hideki Matsui "is probably going to be our DH most of the time.

Sorry Jorge, Molina Will Catch Burnett in the ALDS

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:26:00 -0500

According to Sam Borden, the Yankees have decided that Jose Molina will catch A.J. Burnett in division series. Borden also had this quote from Posada, and the veteran didn't seem happy.“I just hope we win that game,” Posada said. “That’s all I’ve got to say.” He added, “It’s not like I didn’t see it coming.”To add to what Posada said, I think most people saw this coming. Batters hit .270/.353/.421 against Burnett when Posada caught him this season, and just .221/.307/.352 when Molina was ...

Yankees to start Molina in the Postseason a mistake?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:15:00 -0500

Via numerous sources, it has been established that Jose Molina will catch AJ Burnett in the ALDS.

I have no personal issue with Molina, but I am of the opinion--and I know I'm not alone in this--that this is a mistake.

I'd forgive Girardi, for it being his first postseason and all, but the stakes are too high. In a five game series, a team can't really afford to lose even one game at home, and if Burnett starts game two, as seems likely, then the Yankees will have seriously weakened their offense by starting a back up catcher who did not even hit .250 for the season.

If Girardi doesn't want to start Posada, if Burnett has a problem with Posada, at the very least Girardi could consider starting Cervelli. I know Cervelli is a rookie with limited experience, but as he's shown during the season, he's not as slow as fill-in-the-metaphor like Molina, but a legitimate threat to beat out an infield hit.

Neither Cervelli nor Molina, however, can replace Posada's bat.

If the Yankees lose game one tomorrow night and Burnett is indeed the game two starter, the pressure will be on Burnett to deliver.

Still, the Yankees have an offense that will, even without Posada's bat, be more potent than either that of Detroit or Minnesota, and Girardi was a weak-hitting catcher himself, but that didn't stop him from winning rings in 96, 98 and 99.

Maybe he knows something we don't.

Let's hope this is the case.

When CC Says No More, It Means No More

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:57:00 -0500

From Peter Abraham:When CC Sabathia gave up the four runs in the third inning, he stalked into the dugout and told Jose Molina, “That’s all they get.” I asked Molina if he believed him. “His face was mad,” Molina said. “I did believe him. He was pissed off.”While I love stuff like this, and I admire that kind of moxie and the fact that he backed it up (sort of), today's start was still not what I was expecting coming into today's critical game. Five runs on ten hits in seven+ innings ...

Yanks Talk About The Loss of Adenhart

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:36:08 -0500

From Mark Feinsand:"It's difficult for all of us in the baseball family," Girardi said. "You dream your whole life about playing in the big leagues, you make your first start and have a good start and then it's over."Mark Teixeira didn't play with Adenhart during his two-month stint in Anaheim last year, but the first baseman, who had been informed of the news by Girardi just a few minutes before the story appeared on television, looked particularly shaken up. ...

Sentiment

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:14:07 -0500

So they played the final baseball game ever at Yankee Stadium tonight, between two teams that history will little note, nor long remember. The third place team in the division, the hometown Yanks, beat the fifth place team in the division, the Baltimore Orioles. It was a 7-3 win, with Andy Pettite getting the win and Jose Molina, of all people, getting the final home run in the Stadium's 85 year history. Short of a collapse and comeback for the ages, the Yanks are done for the year. A per...

Pettitte No Longer Wants To Pitch To I-Rod

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:55:51 -0500

In what appears to have been a quiet story but definitely an interesting one, Andy Pettitte has asked that Jose Molina become his personal catcher. According to the New York Journal News, Pettitte asked to no longer throw to catcher Ivan Rodriquez after his miserable outing on July 31st against the Anaheim Angels. On that night, Pettitte just never looked comfortable in going 5 1/3 innings, giving up 11 hits, and 9 earned runs. Furthermore, Pettitte threw an uncharacteristic 48 balls and only 62 strikes in his 110 pitch outing. This is not to take anything away from what might be the best team in baseball in the Angels, but chemistry can not be discounted in baseball. If a pitcher does not feel comfortable throwing to a particular catcher, has to continuously shake him off, this will result in no confidence with disaster on the horizon. Pettitte, is a pitcher who is always focused and locked in on the mound but frequently fell behind Angel batters on that night. Consequently, Pettitte was forced into hitters counts and simply got pounded by a very good hitting team. Vying for a playoff spot and with time running out, the last thing that the Yankees need is for one of their aces and big time pitchers to not feel uncomfortable when he takes the mound. So for Yankee fan's sake, lets hope they continue to use Molina for any Yankee pitcher in addition to Mike Mussina and Pettitte who request his services behind the plate.