Published: July 31, 2009

Yadier Molina Emerges From Behind the Plate: St. Louis Catcher Extraordinaire on the Cover of ESPN The Magazine

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NEW YORK - (BUSINESS WIRE) - While living in the Puerto Rican city Vega Alta, known as the Town of the Squatters, it was ESPN The Magazine's cover athlete Yadier Molina's destiny to become a Major League Baseball catcher. Following in the crouch position of his older brothers Bengie of the San Francisco Giants and Jose of the New York Yankees, Molina is now the wizard behind the plate for the St. Louis Cardinals and has been touted as a defensive vacuum, as well as an offensive threat. In "Yadier Molina Knows Squat" writer Lindsay Berra tells the story of the other St. Louis All-Star starter, and why he is one of the most feared players in the game; available on newsstands today.

Quotes:

Molina on catching:

"If you're weak here, in the heart, you won't last. If you're weak here, in the mind, you won't last. And guts. You have to have guts."

Bengie Molina, starting catcher for the San Francisco Giants on his brother:

"I'm not going to be in the Hall of Fame, and I don't think Jose will be either. But Yadier, he has a chance."

Albert Pujols on Molina's hitting:

"He puts the ball in play, but the thing I really admire about Yadier is it doesn't matter if he goes 0-for-4 or 5-for-5; he has the same attitude every time he gets behind the plate. He cares about his defense more than anything because, through his defense, he will be able to help us win more. But he'll still get that big hit when we need it."

Also check out Berra talking baseball with another famous catcher, her grandfather Yogi. Read it on Insider.

The Mag also checks in with the NFL as writer David Fleming chronicles the Detroit Lions' offseason -- from their last game in December to the fairytale scene at a practice in late-June, where players signed autographs for an hour to the delight of devoted fans in "Revenge of the Fallen." After compiling a 0-16 record in 2008, the Lions hope the acquisitions of Matthew Stafford and Julian Peterson, and the hiring of new head coach Jim Schwartz produce positive results.

Quotes:

Jim Schwartz on the Detroit Lions revamp:

"Turning a team around is like losing weight. If you go on fad diets or wrap yourself in cellophane, the weight is going to come back. But if you count calories, get on that treadmill and grind it out, you'll stay thin because you've done the little things right."
"We have a lot of needs but probably our biggest one is talent."

Matthew Stafford on his initial meeting with the Detroit Lions:

"They grilled me on football but mostly they tried to see if I was smarter than the floor."

In addition, The Mag revisits a story that captured the world's attention last summer as the fastest man alive ran with an entire country on his shoulders and now Usain Bolt is back. In "Can't Anybody Run with Me?" writer Ryan McGee catches up with the three-time gold medalist, as he trains for the 2009 Track and Field World Championships, to discuss life after the 2008 Olympics, and why he will not be associated with those members of the Jamaican national team who reportedly tested positive for banned substances.

Quotes:

Usain Bolt:

"Jamaica is why I work now. Jamaica is why I have to be serious. It is why I do not cheat, why I cannot cheat. And it is why I have to win. I cannot disappoint them."

Wellesley Bolt, Usain's father:

"To so many, he is the face of Jamaica. Every day they tell him this, wherever he goes. London, Japan, New York â€¦ the Jamaicans come and scream to him that he gives our nation hope every time he runs. He is proud of that. But there is so much pressure that comes with it."

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

EAT AT THE PRO'S. From steakhouses to sports bars, almost every major city has an athlete-run establishment. Why do so many current and former jocks go into the business-and should they even try? Shaun Assael reports.

FOUR STEPS FORWARD. No team has struggled in the Big 12 like Baylor, but second-year coach Art Briles has the Bears on the verge of their first bowl in 15 years. Bruce Feldman reports.

TWO GOOD. Until this year, both Jason Bartlett and Ben Zobrist were nothing more than useful role players. This season, they're giving the Tampa Bay Rays the most powerful double play combo in the game. Jorge Arangure Jr. reports.

VOLUNTARY WORKOUT. With a plethora of elite summer camps available, USA Basketball has a tough time recruiting college kids to its off-season program. Elena Bergeron reports.

JOB SHARING. It's looking like Kyle Busch won't make The Chase this season. Should he give up racing on Saturdays to focus on Sundays? Ryan McGee reports.

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