Yadier Molina proving what he's worth to the Cardinals

Yadier Molina is the face of the Saint Louis Cardinals' franchise. He is the exact-needed centerpiece of a championship-winning team--and he is one of, if not the most important, player on the field.

They all have a nice, encouraging ring to them now, don't they?

Just one month into the Cardinals' new era without Albert Pujols, all of them statements are starting to make more, and more sense. Back when Albert was on this team, he was never NOT the most feared, deadly, and focused on player in every players mind in the opposing dugout--which isn't a suprise based on how incredible his career with the team was, but still.

The one thing that makes me smile is the fact that I have been saying this for quite a while now (which has been my opinion for the past few seasons now). But when I used to state these opinions to friends, coworkers, baseball fans, or whoever it was too--I was either laughed at, or looked at in an uncommon gesture.

Now, in 2012, with Albert deciding to part ways with the team and organization, it's all starting to quickly come together. Yadi is doing everything the exact same way that he's been doing basically his entire career behind the plate in a Cardinals uniform.

He can do it all. He can win games in just about every way there is possible. Whether it be with his glove, his cannon for an arm, his bat, and even his mind. Yadi is flat-out, plain and simple, the real deal.

Everybody knows what he can do behind the plate with a man on the bases, and everbody knows what he can do in clutch at-bat situations. One thing that many don't know though, is the kind of teacher that he is to every pitcher on the Cardinals' pitching staff when they are on the mound.

Do you think it's a couqu that the pitching staff is off to such a great start? Especially considering the fact that the teams top two pitchers have yet to record a win with Wainwright off to a shaky start following his return from a one-year layoff following Tommy John surgery; and Chris Carpenter, who has been on the disabled-list all month following an injury during spring training? Many do, but I don't consider myself one of them.

Sure, I am pretty impressed with the starts to the season from Lance Lynn; but not so much Lohse. Molina is the anchor to the staff; and as a particular quote i've always followed, "with age comes experience". He knows most of the hitters at the plate, and he has a lot of knowledge. With as well as he knows both the hitters, as well as his pitching staff, he is becoming all that much more dangerous as he knows when to make the right calls.

For anybody who has played the game of baseball, many know how important the catcher position truly is. The position is pretty much equvialent to a quarterback in football. You have large responsibilities, and if you make a mistake at any point and time; the game could be over.

We all know how good and valuable the big bats are to this team; as well as the pitchers--and we all know the talent that each player has as an individual. I would never in any way take credit away from any of the players on a championship team--especially players such as Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, David Freese, or any of the players--but the truth is; stats and facts don't lie.

There aren't many catchers in baseball today, or even in history, that come very close to the worth of what Yadier Molina has been worth to "Baseball Heaven", but if there is one thing that is definitely making itself known, it's that Yadier Molina is most certainly proving the importance that he provides to this ball club -- and the best thing about it all -- Yadier will be behind the plate for the Birds on the Bat for at least another five seasons, deserving every bit of the $75 million dollars he was signed for.