Cusumano: The Yadi, Matheny drama continues

http://www.ksdk.com/sports/mlb/cardinals/cusumano-the-yadi-matheny-drama-continues/461533693

ST. LOUIS, MO –  (Frank Cusumano, KSDK-TV.  Please click on the link for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Jeff Curry – KSDK Photo

I like Yadier Molina. I like the way he encourages pitchers. He’s almost affectionate with them; the arm around them, the pat on the back, and the smile. If I were a pitcher, I would want to throw to that man.

He’s not exactly media friendly. He’s not rude. He’s just not talkative or outgoing. He never gives good soundbites. However, that’s okay. We do a feature on him during Spring Training and get a few sound bites during the year and that’s about it. I have been around him for 12 years but don’t really know him. He seems like he is a great father too.

The amazing thing to me is how he can turn on Matheny. This is the manager who plays him more than any catcher in baseball. This is the manager who bats him fifth when he shouldn’t bat fifth. This is the manager who literally groomed to take his own job. This is the manager who never ever says anything negative about Yadi. No one has ever defended Yadi more than Matheny.

Molina is thinking Cooperstown. And that’s not wrong. However, the Cardinals have to think about what is best for the franchise. Playing Yadier Molina at age 36 or 37 with 150 games a year is probably not best.