ST. LOUIS — On Opening Day 2023, let’s take a look at some of the latest MLB news, including tidbits from the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox.
We begin here in St. Louis, where FanSided will have in-person coverage of the big opening series between the Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays. You can read our bold predictions for the Cardinals here and Blue Jays here.
One thing that is not a bold prediction, however, is the fact that the Cardinals will start 2023 with a new catcher after the retirement of Yadier Molina at the end of last season. The new face of the Cardinals behind the plate is Willson Contreras, the biggest offseason acquisition by the franchise. Coming over from the Chicago Cubs, Contreras is very familiar with what Molina has meant to St. Louis, and that’s one of the reasons why he will be honoring his predecessor on Opening Day.
St. Louis Cardinals news: Willson Contreras pays respect to Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina “Respect4” tribute on cleats Willson Contreras will wear for #stlcards #openingday.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) March 29, 2023
“To me, he owns the city. This is his city.”
Contreras designed the look with arch and other symbols for Molina. pic.twitter.com/Bh0Wrlcqci
It’s clear that Opening Day will be different in St. Louis without Molina and Albert Pujols this season. However, Contreras is making sure that, as a new era begins, there are still plenty of reminders of Molina, the player who helped continue a legacy of All-Star catching in St. Louis.