A Molina brothers movie, new Cardinals Hall of Famers, and Cardinals Care news

I couldn’t pick just one topic, so I chose them all.

When it comes to writing an article consistently on a weekly basis there are a few different approaches I might take. Sometimes I just have an idea, and I know that is what I want to write about. All I have to do is actually arrange the words in order on the digital paper. More often though, what actually happens is I know I have to have something written by 8:00 am CT Sunday morning and since inspiration failed to strike at any point during the week, I tend to spend the wee hours of Saturday night/Sunday morning searching for something, anything, that people might find interesting.

It makes weeks like this week frustrating because I have three things I want to write about that won’t be relevant later on. It feels wrong to just waste two perfectly good and interesting topics, right? So, let’s talk a little about all three! Turns out I can just do that.

What do Alexander Hamilton and Yadier Molina have in common? Probably not much yet, but soon they will both be key figures featured in Lin-Manuel Miranda projects.

Miranda revealed he is working on a project about the Molina brothers — Bengie, José, and Yadier. The Molina’s are from his father’s hometown of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico as well as many other famous baseball players. It is an honor well deserved for the brothers, each a two-time World Series champion whose skill, dedication, and leadership have left an enduring mark on the sport. Their journey from Vega Alta to baseball’s biggest stage is an inspiring testament to perseverance and passion, making their story one worth celebrating.

I doubt my favorite Molina brothers moment makes the cut, but a girl can dream.

Speaking of Hall of Famers… The St. Louis Cardinals recently announced they have added two former players and a former General Manager to the Cardinals Hall of Fame: Édgar Rentería, Al Hrabosky, and Walt Jocketty. The induction class will be honored during a ceremony on September 6.

Édgar Rentería was voted in by fans. He played for the Cardinals from 1999 to 2004, earning three All-Star selections and becoming the only player in franchise history to win Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards in the same season twice. A little-known fact about me: he was my favorite player because I liked his earrings.

Al Hrabosky, known as The Mad Hungarian, was selected by the Red Ribbon Committee. He was a dominant reliever for the Cardinals from 1970 to 1977, winning the 1975 National League Fireman of the Year award and later becoming a longtime broadcaster for the team. In the season he pitched over 97 innings with a 1.66 ERA and a 2.35 FIP. We have to admit that The Mad Hungarian persona is a pretty cool one, too, right? Cool enough to have Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn from Major League to have part of his character based on it.

Walt Jocketty, the late former general manager, was chosen as an organizational selection. He led the Cardinals from 1994 to 2007, overseeing seven postseason appearances, and a 2006 World Series championship. He was a three-time MLB Executive of the Year and the manager responsible for hiring of Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, acquiring key players like Scott Rolen and Adam Wainwright, and drafting Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols. He passed away on April 26, 2025, at the age of 74 after battling serious health issues over the past two years.

The last thing I wanted to mention because it is a cause near and dear to my heart, is some of the recent Cardinals Care activities. Cardinals announced in a press release on May 1 that Cardinals Care, the team’s community foundation, has distributed nearly $250,000 in grant money to 80 area nonprofit groups that support local kids as part of the organization’s spring grant cycle. The press release goes on to say that the grants will be used to fund tangible items, one-time capital expenses and special supplies or purchases that directly benefit children. It is one of my favorite things that the Cardinals do and something we as fans contribute to. It is just a great cause that goes on to benefit children in the St. Louis area.

Thank you all for hanging in there with me in this roundup of Cardinals new throughout the week. Three very different topics, yet all part of the broader picture of what makes Cardinals baseball compelling to us.

Maybe next week, inspiration will strike earlier. Probably not, though, but a girl can dream.

Happy Sunday!