ST. LOUIS — A hot news is making the entire baseball world “bow”: The Cardinals leadership has officially approved the project to build a 6-meter-tall bronze statue of Yadier Molina – one of the greatest players in franchise history – right in front of Busch Stadium with an initial budget of up to $3 million, expected to be inaugurated in the spring of 2026.
“Molina is more than just a player. He is a symbol of this team, a bridge between the glorious past and the future of the Cardinals. A monument to him is the deepest gratitude the city of St. Louis can give to the fans” – President William DeWitt Jr. said at a press conference this morning.
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According to inside sources, the Molina monument project – with an initial total budget of about $3 million – will be located in Ford Plaza outside Busch Stadium, a location once reserved for legends like Bob Gibson and Stan Musial. The famous American sculpture company is expected to draw up detailed ideas and sign a contract for the entire fortress by the end of the year.
The original model depicts Molina in a catcher’s uniform, his sleeves raised high in a mythical game and symbolizes the moment he and rookie legend Adam Wainwright created the “Waino-Yadi Battery” – the greatest pitcher-catcher pairing in MLB history with 325 games caught together.
Molina, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Cardinals, with more than 2,168 hits, 176 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and nine Gold Gloves and four Platinum Gloves, has become the new standard for the catcher position. He is the most prolific catcher in franchise history, has earned 10 All-Star nods, and has appeared in 104 postseason games with a top-10 batting average.
A former teammate shared: “There is no one more deserving than Yadi. He represents the spirit of St. Louis – loyalty, professionalism, and greatness.”
In addition to the monument, the project could expand into a small museum that tells the story of Molina’s entire journey in St. Louis, from the night of his proposal with the glorious glove to the moment the glove fell on his final third before retiring.
Starting cost: ~$3 million
Statue size: 6 meters (equivalent to 90% of Molina’s actual height)
Location: Ford Plaza, Busch Stadium
Timeline: Opening Spring 2026
Purchaser: Cardinals leadership in collaboration with the St. Louis Mayor’s office Louis, which is expected to add about $1 million in public funding if it is expanded into a historical museum.
The dedication of the monument will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the “Waino-Yadi Battery” – an event that once made waves throughout MLB. Fans will be invited to attend an exhibition with gloves, hats and photos of Molina’s history, and enjoy a commemorative game in front of Busch Stadium between the Cardinals and Yankees.
“Spending more than $3 million to build a monument to Molina is more than just money, it’s St. Louis’ way of showing love to a legend. When a person can turn a game into art,” – a longtime fan affirmed.
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