José Benjamin Molina (born June 3, 1975) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball coach and former catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB).
He played for four teams in MLB, and for the Puerto Rican national team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Noted for his abilities in pitch-framing and in handling pitching staffs, Molina is a two-time World Series champion in MLB and a two-time silver medalist with Puerto Rico.
Molina is the middle of three brothers (older brother Bengie and younger brother Yadier), all of whom have played catcher in Major League Baseball.
They are the only three brothers in MLB history to all win World Series rings.
1993
Molina graduated from Maestro Ladi High School in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in 1993, and attended Ladislao Martinez High School in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico.
Molina was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the 1993 amateur draft.
1999
His first major league team was the Cubs, for which he played 10 games as a September callup in 1999.
2001
He joined the then-Anaheim Angels in 2001 as a free agent, but played only a handful of games before establishing himself during the 2002 season as the Angels backup catcher for his brother, Bengie.
2002
Bengie and José did it together as members of the 2002 Anaheim Angels, and Yadier with the 2006 and 2011 Cardinals.
In 2002, Molina got his first World Series ring as the Angels won the 2002 World Series against the San Francisco Giants.
2005
In 2005, he hit a career-best six home runs, and tied his career-high with 25 RBI, as he hit .306 against lefties.
2006
Following Bengie's departure from the Angels, Molina entered the 2006 season as the Angels' new starting catcher, though it was expected that rookie Jeff Mathis would also see substantial time handling the team's catching duties over the course of the season.
However, Mathis struggled during the first month of the season and, as a result, he was ultimately demoted to the minor leagues.
Molina himself then struggled offensively, and the promising offensive performance of Mathis' replacement on the roster, rookie Mike Napoli, once again relegated Molina to the role of backup catcher.
Still, he played in a career-high 78 games and had a career-best 225 at-bats in 2006.
2007
On July 21, 2007, Molina was traded to the New York Yankees for minor league pitcher Jeff Kennard.
At the time of the trade, he had a .237 lifetime batting average, but had hit lefties much better (.269).
He would go on to hit .318 for the Yankees with a home run.
On December 3, 2007, the Yankees signed Molina to a two-year deal.
He served as the team's starting catcher following a shoulder injury to Jorge Posada, but returned to the backup role when the Yankees acquired Iván Rodríguez.
2008
Molina was successful in eight of nine sacrifice bunt attempts in 2008.
On September 21, 2008, Molina hit the last home run in the original Yankee Stadium, in the Yankees' final game at the ballpark, which was against the Baltimore Orioles.
Following this event, Molina expressed satisfaction at being the final answer to the question presented by Babe Ruth in his last public speech at the facility, which closed by stating, "I was glad to have hit the first home run in this park. God only knows who will hit the last."
Controversy emerged around the home run ball hit by Molina in a dispute regarding ownership involving fans and Yankee Stadium security.
Later in 2008, the ball would come to auction, where it was estimated by auctioneer Guernsey's at $200,000-$300,000.
ESPN stated "[the ball] was expected to fetch up to $400,000, but was pulled after offers fell short of the suggested opening bid of $100,000."
and blamed the economic crisis of 2008.
2009
José later won a second ring with the 2009 New York Yankees.
In 2009, Molina again served as the Yankees' primary backup catcher, catching most of A. J. Burnett's games when possible and hitting .219 in 138 at bats (52 games).
On October 29, 2009, in Game 2 of the 2009 World Series, he picked off Jayson Werth at first base becoming the first Yankees catcher to pick a baserunner off in the World Series since Yogi Berra who did the same in the 1950, also against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Molina got his second World Series ring as the Yankees defeated the Phillies in the 2009 World Series in six games.
2010
On February 19, 2010, Molina signed a one-year contract that included an option for 2011 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He had one of his best offensive seasons in 2010, producing a .681 OPS with six home runs over 57 games.
2011
Molina returned to the Blue Jays for the 2011 season, providing veteran guidance to rookie J. P. Arencibia.
The club picked up his option for $1.2 million.
In a rarely seen lineup move, Molina was named the designated hitter on May 27, 2011 against the White Sox.
In addition to getting three hits off Mark Buehrle, Molina and Rajai Davis executed a double steal; this was only Molina's 11th stolen base in his 12-year career.
On November 28, 2011, Molina signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
2013
After posting a .223 average with eight home runs and 32 RBI, Molina's 2013 contract option for $1.8 million was picked up by the Rays.
