Chicago Cubs (1999) The
Chicago Cubs selected Molina in the 14th round of the
1993 MLB draft. His first major league team was the Cubs, for which he played 10 games as a September callup in 1999.
Anaheim Angels / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2001–2007) 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. In 2002, Molina got his first
World Series ring as the Angels won the
2002 World Series against the
San Francisco Giants. In 2005, he hit a career-best six home runs, and tied his career-high with 25
RBI, as he
hit .306 against lefties. 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.
New York Yankees (2007–2009) On July 21, 2007, the Angels traded Molina 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. 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
2008 financial crisis. 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.
Toronto Blue Jays (2010–2011) 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. 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.
Tampa Bay Rays (2012–2014) On November 28, 2011, Molina signed a one-year contract with the
Tampa Bay Rays. 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. On December 2, 2013, after another season with Tampa Bay in which he hit .233 with two home runs and 18 RBI, Molina signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the Rays. Molina was released on November 24, 2014. ==Coaching career==