Graduated from Esc. Superior Maestro Ladi H.S. in Vega Alta in 2000...he's the younger bother of Major League catchers Bengie and Jose Molina...played American Leagion ball in 2000 for Post #48...after the 2004 season teamed with Rick Ankiel during Puerto Rican Winter League play with Carolina and batted .297 (10th in league)...played for Carolina in 2006, winning Puerto Rican Championship...played for Puerto Rico and Manager Jose Qquendo during inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006...changed from uniform #41 to #4 prior to 2006 season...he and his wife, Wanda, make their home in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico with their son, Yanuell Benjamin...name is pronounced Yah- DEE-air.

Had his best season at the plate to go along with his consistent and solid defensive play...Was named to Rawlings Gold Glove team for the first time, the 3rd STL catcher to ever win the award (Matheny, Pagnozzi). Led MLB with seven pick-offs...Set career highs in batting avg., runs, RBI, OBP and SLG...Improved his batting average by 29 pts. (.275 - .304) after a 59 pt. increase from 2006 to 2007...His 135 hits were the most by a STL catcher since Ted Simmons had 150 in 1980. Was also the first Cards catcher since Simmons in 1980 to post a batting average of .300 or better (min. 450 plate apps.)...His .304 batting average as a ctacher was 4th-best all-time among STL catchers (min. 450 PA's). Is only STL catcher other than Simmons to have a BA over.300 as a catcher and have over 450 plate appearances (Simmons in 1975, '77 and '80)...His 135 hits ranked 24th on the Cards all-time catcher's list...Suffered bruised left thigh in collision at plate with Cubs' T. Lilly on 9/10 and did not return to lineup until 9/14. Left that game after 4th inning at-bat due to a tight quad and did not return to the lineup the rest of the season. Pinch hit the last day of the season (9/28)...Led team and ranked 6th in the N.L. with a .340 (34-100) batting average with runners in scoring position...Hit safely in 94 of his 116 games started...Averaged 16.7 plate appearances/ strikeout (485 PA/ 29 K)...His 28 total strikeouts as a catcher were the fewest by a STL backstop (min. 450 PA's) since Ted Simmons fanned just 20 times in 1976. Strikeout total was the second fewest by a MLB backstop since 1993 (A.J. Pierzynski 26K's for SF in 2004) (min. 450 PA's)...Had hits in 64 of his last 78 games played since 5/28 (.317, 91-287)...Had 31 multi-hit games and 33 of his 56 RBI came with two outs...Batted .400 (10-25) in eight Interleague games. Batted .408 (20-49) in 13 games vs. PIT and combined to bat .347 (41-118) in 33 games vs. N.L. East teams...Had a pair of 13-game hitting streaks, his season high. First was from 6/20-7/6 (.362, 17-47) with the second from 8/16-9/2 (.380, 19-50)...Had a pair of 13-game hitting streaks, his season high. First was from 6/20-7/6 (.362, 17-47) with the second from 8/16-9/2 (.380, 19-50)...Made his fourth straight Opening Day start for the Cardinals on 4/1. The last Cardinals catcher to do so was Darrell Porter (5- straight; 1981-85)...Opened season with 7-game hitting streak from 4/1-9 (.308, 8-26) - the longest STL hit streak to begin a season since 2003...His HR on 4/1 was 1st by STL catcher on Opening Day since Mike DiFelice in 2002...Removed from field on stretcher after home-plate collision in the 9th, 6/15 vs. PHI - held on to the ball after tag to help STL to win. Suffered a concussion and missed three games...Was DH 6/20 at BOS in his first game since collision and hit solo HR that secured winning margin in 5-4 win. Made 1st career start at 1B 6/22 at BOS...Matched career high with 4 hits & 4 RBI on 8/22 vs. ATL.