“Yadier Molina” Shares Never-Said Truth About “Nolan Arenado”
ST. LOUIS — Cardinals legend Yadier Molina has opened up about his longtime friend and former teammate Nolan Arenado, revealing what he called “a truth that people on the outside never really understood” about the All-Star third baseman.
In a recent interview with local media, Molina reflected on his time playing alongside Arenado and the close bond they developed both on and off the field. He spoke candidly about Arenado’s work ethic, leadership, and emotional investment in the St. Louis Cardinals — qualities he said were often overlooked amid trade rumors and public criticism.
“People think Nolan just plays hard because it’s his job,” Molina said. “But it’s more than that — he lives it. Every strikeout, every loss hurts him. He takes the game home with him because he cares that much about this city and these fans.”
Arenado joined the Cardinals in 2021 after a blockbuster trade with the Colorado Rockies and quickly became a cornerstone of the roster. Despite recent struggles and persistent trade speculation in 2025, Molina said fans shouldn’t confuse Arenado’s frustration with disloyalty.
“He’s never been the kind of guy to quit,” Molina added. “When people talk about him wanting out, that’s not what’s in his heart. What he wants is to win — and when you’ve played at his level, losing hurts even more.”
Molina, who has transitioned into a coaching and advisory role within the Cardinals organization, revealed that he still speaks with Arenado frequently. According to him, the veteran third baseman is determined to come back stronger after an injury-filled season and is “training like he’s twenty-five again.”
“He told me, ‘I just want one more shot at it — one more playoff run with St. Louis,’” Molina shared. “That’s the Nolan I know. People see the stats, but I see the heart.”
As the Cardinals head into an offseason of uncertainty, Molina’s words paint a deeper picture of Arenado’s mindset — one driven by pride, loyalty, and an unrelenting desire to bring winning baseball back to Busch Stadium.
“The truth is,” Molina concluded, “Nolan has given everything to this team. He doesn’t always show it with words, but every game, every at-bat, every play at third — that’s his love letter to St. Louis.”