Bengie Molina
Encyclopedia
Benjamin José "Bengie" Molina (born July 20, 1974, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
), nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
.
He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina
.
Initially regarded as a "good glove, no hit" catcher with a strong arm and an exceptional ball blocker, Molina won a Gold Glove
as the top defensive player at his position in consecutive seasons in and . But he also developed into a very good contact hitter and free-swinging power hitter. Between 2000 and 2007, he struck out just 331 times, and in 2000 led the American League in average at-bats between strikeouts, with 14.3.
However, at 5' 11" and weighing 225 pounds, he was regarded as one of the slowest baserunners of his day.
in Yuma, Arizona
, in 1991 and 1992.
in , and a handful of games in . He became the Angels' regular catcher in 2000 and remained so through the season. Over his last few seasons with the Angels, his backup at catcher there was his brother José.
, with a mutual option for a second year. After signing with the Blue Jays, Molina expressed his anger at the Angels over how he parted company with them. "The way they let me go without a notice, without calling me, that said a lot," Molina said. "That's what really hurts me. I think I built a good relationship with them," he said. "They never let me know. They just threw me like a piece of trash." Molina's agent, Alan Nero, later confirmed however, that both he and Molina had in fact received calls from the Angels informing them of the team's decisions. Nero suggested that Molina's comments were borne of his disappointment that he was not retained by the Angels.
While Molina was expected to catch most of the Jays' season with Gregg Zaun
serving as his backup, his difficulties with right-handed pitcher
s led the Jays to use a platoon system
.
and signed a three-year, $16 million deal with San Francisco.
Molina hit his 100th home run on September 5, 2007, off Jorge Julio
in the sixth inning of a 5–3 victory against the Colorado Rockies
.
Molina was announced as the Willie Mac Award
winner for 2007 (for spirit and leadership) in a pregame ceremony on September 21, 2007. He got the most out of 1,617 votes from the fans. Later in that September 21 game, Molina knocked in career RBI number 500 in the bottom of the first on a single that scored Dave Roberts. They lost the game to the Cincinnati Reds
9–8 in 11 innings. In 2007, Molina walked only 2.9% of the time, the lowest percentage in the NL.
On September 26, 2008, Molina became the first player in MLB
history to hit a home run and not get credit for a run scored. In the 6th inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
, he hit a ball off the right field wall at AT&T Park
which the umpire called in fair play, and wound up at first base. Emmanuel Burriss
immediately ran out to first base to pinch run for Molina before anyone else could intervene, as Giants manager Bruce Bochy
discussed the matter with the umpires. However, the umpires used instant replay and subsequently ruled the hit a home run, but refused Bochy the opportunity to reinsert Molina into the game. San Francisco continued the game under protest, but won 6–5 in the 10th inning. Preceding the same game, Molina had received the Willie Mac Award
for the second year in a row.
In 2009 he led the majors in sacrifice flies (with 11), and received an unintentional walk in only 1.9% of his plate appearances, the lowest percentage in the NL for those with at least 350 PA.
On January 19, 2010, Molina re-signed a 1 year $4.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants
.
, Molina was traded to the Texas Rangers on June 30, 2010, for relief pitcher Chris Ray
and a player to be named later, which was minor league RHP Michael Main. As two of the Giants' best pitchers commented upon Molina's departure, his contributions to the Giants were very significant. "He helped me mature and succeed. I've said time and time again that he deserves half of those awards that I've gotten," said Tim Lincecum
, the reigning two-time National League Cy Young Award winner. "The things he's done for me – for calling a game, to give me confidence throwing different pitches in different counts – really, really, really benefited me," Matt Cain said of Molina.
Notorious for his lack of baserunning ability, on July 16, 2010, Molina hit for the cycle against Boston. He had (in order) a single, double, home run (grand slam), and triple. He was then pinch run for and left the game in the top of the 8th inning after hitting the triple, with a leg injury. He is the fifth Texas Ranger to hit for the cycle. He is also the first catcher in MLB history to hit a grand slam and hit for the cycle in the same game.
During the 2010 American League Division Series
Molina (again despite his poor baserunning ability) stole a base
in Game 5, his first in over four years. He also had a home run in Game 1.
In Game 4 of the 2010 American League Championship Series
, with 2 outs in the 6th inning and the Rangers trailing the New York Yankees
, 3–2, Molina hit a 3-run home run off A. J. Burnett
. The home run, arguably one of the most important in Rangers history, proved to be the game-winner for the Rangers and gave the underdog
Rangers a commanding 3–1 lead in the series. The Rangers won again sending them to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Bengie contributed throughout the World Series but could not save the Rangers. The Giants beat the Rangers 4 games to 1.
Since the Texas Rangers made it to the World Series
, along with the San Francisco Giants, Bengie Molina became the sixth player all-time to play for the two World Series teams in the same season. Due to having played for both Giants and Rangers during the 2010 season, Molina was guaranteed to receive a World Series ring regardless of whether his current or former team won the World Series. In the 2010 World Series
, Molina batted only .182 with one RBI as the Giants went on to defeat the Rangers.
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
Río Piedras is a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1714, it has been the home of the University of Puerto Rico's main campus since 1903, earning the town the popular name of Ciudad Universitaria...
), nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
.
He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
.
Initially regarded as a "good glove, no hit" catcher with a strong arm and an exceptional ball blocker, Molina won a Gold Glove
Rawlings Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
as the top defensive player at his position in consecutive seasons in and . But he also developed into a very good contact hitter and free-swinging power hitter. Between 2000 and 2007, he struck out just 331 times, and in 2000 led the American League in average at-bats between strikeouts, with 14.3.
However, at 5' 11" and weighing 225 pounds, he was regarded as one of the slowest baserunners of his day.
Pre-MLB career
Molina graduated from the Maestro Ladí High School with honors in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, and played shortstop for Arizona Western CollegeArizona Western College
Arizona Western College is a public community college located in Yuma, Arizona, United States. AWC offers classes in San Luis, Somerton, Marine Corp Air Station , Wellton, Dateland, and La Paz....
in Yuma, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
, in 1991 and 1992.
Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim
Molina entered the major leagues by playing two games for the Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in , and a handful of games in . He became the Angels' regular catcher in 2000 and remained so through the season. Over his last few seasons with the Angels, his backup at catcher there was his brother José.
Toronto Blue Jays
Bengie Molina's contract with the Angels expired after the 2005 season, and the team decided not pursue him because of the salary he would demand. He signed a 1-year $5 million contract with the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, with a mutual option for a second year. After signing with the Blue Jays, Molina expressed his anger at the Angels over how he parted company with them. "The way they let me go without a notice, without calling me, that said a lot," Molina said. "That's what really hurts me. I think I built a good relationship with them," he said. "They never let me know. They just threw me like a piece of trash." Molina's agent, Alan Nero, later confirmed however, that both he and Molina had in fact received calls from the Angels informing them of the team's decisions. Nero suggested that Molina's comments were borne of his disappointment that he was not retained by the Angels.
While Molina was expected to catch most of the Jays' season with Gregg Zaun
Gregg Zaun
Gregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
serving as his backup, his difficulties with right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
s led the Jays to use a platoon system
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
.
San Francisco Giants
After the 2006 season, Molina became a free agentFree agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
and signed a three-year, $16 million deal with San Francisco.
Molina hit his 100th home run on September 5, 2007, off Jorge Julio
Jorge Julio
Jorge Dandys Julio Tapia is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He previously played for the Baltimore Orioles from 2001–2005, New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, and the Florida Marlins in 2007 before being traded...
in the sixth inning of a 5–3 victory against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
.
Molina was announced as the Willie Mac Award
Willie Mac Award
The Willie Mac Award is named in honor of Willie McCovey. It has been presented annually since 1980. It is awarded to the player on the San Francisco Giants who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership consistently shown by McCovey throughout his long career, voted upon by the players and...
winner for 2007 (for spirit and leadership) in a pregame ceremony on September 21, 2007. He got the most out of 1,617 votes from the fans. Later in that September 21 game, Molina knocked in career RBI number 500 in the bottom of the first on a single that scored Dave Roberts. They lost the game to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
9–8 in 11 innings. In 2007, Molina walked only 2.9% of the time, the lowest percentage in the NL.
On September 26, 2008, Molina became the first player in MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
history to hit a home run and not get credit for a run scored. In the 6th inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, he hit a ball off the right field wall at AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
which the umpire called in fair play, and wound up at first base. Emmanuel Burriss
Emmanuel Burriss
Emmanuel "Manny" Allen Burriss is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the San Francisco Giants. He is a switch-hitter who throws right-handed and has played second base, shortstop, and third base.-Early life:...
immediately ran out to first base to pinch run for Molina before anyone else could intervene, as Giants manager Bruce Bochy
Bruce Bochy
Bruce Douglas Bochy is the manager of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to joining the Giants, Bochy had been the manager of the San Diego Padres for twelve seasons. Bochy is the only former Padres player to serve as the team's manager. He has participated in all five postseason appearances in...
discussed the matter with the umpires. However, the umpires used instant replay and subsequently ruled the hit a home run, but refused Bochy the opportunity to reinsert Molina into the game. San Francisco continued the game under protest, but won 6–5 in the 10th inning. Preceding the same game, Molina had received the Willie Mac Award
Willie Mac Award
The Willie Mac Award is named in honor of Willie McCovey. It has been presented annually since 1980. It is awarded to the player on the San Francisco Giants who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership consistently shown by McCovey throughout his long career, voted upon by the players and...
for the second year in a row.
In 2009 he led the majors in sacrifice flies (with 11), and received an unintentional walk in only 1.9% of his plate appearances, the lowest percentage in the NL for those with at least 350 PA.
On January 19, 2010, Molina re-signed a 1 year $4.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
Texas Rangers
Following one of the team's longer losing streaks of the season, and the sudden emergence of rookie catcher Buster PoseyBuster Posey
Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III is a catcher for the San Francisco Giants. He was drafted by the Giants fifth overall in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft....
, Molina was traded to the Texas Rangers on June 30, 2010, for relief pitcher Chris Ray
Chris Ray
Christopher Thomas Ray is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life and career:...
and a player to be named later, which was minor league RHP Michael Main. As two of the Giants' best pitchers commented upon Molina's departure, his contributions to the Giants were very significant. "He helped me mature and succeed. I've said time and time again that he deserves half of those awards that I've gotten," said Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
, the reigning two-time National League Cy Young Award winner. "The things he's done for me – for calling a game, to give me confidence throwing different pitches in different counts – really, really, really benefited me," Matt Cain said of Molina.
Notorious for his lack of baserunning ability, on July 16, 2010, Molina hit for the cycle against Boston. He had (in order) a single, double, home run (grand slam), and triple. He was then pinch run for and left the game in the top of the 8th inning after hitting the triple, with a leg injury. He is the fifth Texas Ranger to hit for the cycle. He is also the first catcher in MLB history to hit a grand slam and hit for the cycle in the same game.
During the 2010 American League Division Series
2010 American League Division Series
The 2010 American League Division Series were two best-of-five game series to determine the participating teams in the 2010 American League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth "Wild Card" team played in two series from October 6 to October 12...
Molina (again despite his poor baserunning ability) stole a base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
in Game 5, his first in over four years. He also had a home run in Game 1.
In Game 4 of the 2010 American League Championship Series
2010 American League Championship Series
The 2010 American League Championship Series was the best-of-seven game series pitting the winners of the 2010 American League Division Series for the American League Championship. The American League wild card-winning New York Yankees faced the American League Western Division champions Texas...
, with 2 outs in the 6th inning and the Rangers trailing the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, 3–2, Molina hit a 3-run home run off A. J. Burnett
A. J. Burnett
Allan James "A. J." Burnett is a right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the New York Yankees. Previously, he played for the Florida Marlins and the Toronto Blue Jays...
. The home run, arguably one of the most important in Rangers history, proved to be the game-winner for the Rangers and gave the underdog
Underdog (competition)
An underdog is a person or group in a competition, frequently in electoral politics, sports and creative works, who is popularly expected to lose. The party, team or individual expected to win is called the favorite or top dog. In the rare case where an underdog wins, the outcome is an upset. These...
Rangers a commanding 3–1 lead in the series. The Rangers won again sending them to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Bengie contributed throughout the World Series but could not save the Rangers. The Giants beat the Rangers 4 games to 1.
Since the Texas Rangers made it to the World Series
2010 World Series
The 2010 World Series was the 106th occurrence of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff, played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion San Francisco Giants, began on Wednesday, , and ended on Monday, , with the Giants...
, along with the San Francisco Giants, Bengie Molina became the sixth player all-time to play for the two World Series teams in the same season. Due to having played for both Giants and Rangers during the 2010 season, Molina was guaranteed to receive a World Series ring regardless of whether his current or former team won the World Series. In the 2010 World Series
2010 World Series
The 2010 World Series was the 106th occurrence of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff, played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion San Francisco Giants, began on Wednesday, , and ended on Monday, , with the Giants...
, Molina batted only .182 with one RBI as the Giants went on to defeat the Rangers.
See also
- Hitting for the CycleHitting for the cycleIn baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter hitting a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are uncommon in Major League Baseball , occurring 293 times since the first by Curry...