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Willson Contreras exits early, but honors Yadier Molina in home opener

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2023

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ST. LOUIS – For the first time in nearly two decades, the St. Louis Cardinals opened a season with a catcher not named Yadier Molina.

That torch was officially handed to longtime Chicago Cubs backstop Willson Contreras on Thursday.

“Nothing but respect for Yadi. My idol,” said Contreras on the eve of Opening Day.

Contreras made his Cardinals debut in the 2023 home opener, navigating five new teammates through a high-octane Toronto Blue Jays lineup before a sudden injury forced an early exit.

RECAP – Blue Jays outlast Cardinals in back-and-forth Opening Day marathon

Contreras suffered a right knee contusion in the eighth inning of the Cardinals’ 10-9 loss to the Blue Jays. A 103-mph pitch from reliever Jordan Hicks glanced off the right knee of Contreras in a spot without much protection. He departed moments later with help from manager Oli Marmol and the Cardinals training staff.

After the game, Marmol noted that initial x-rays on Contreras’ knee came back negative, though he is set for an MRI during the Cardinals’ off-day Friday.

The unexpected exit overshadowed an otherwise productive and sentimental Cardinals debut for Contreras. The 30-year-old went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and did his best Yadier Molina impression by throwing out the only runner who tried to swipe a base on him, Toronto’s Matt Chapman in the seventh inning.

Contreras said it was important to honor Molina with the changing of guard at Cardinals catcher.

“This is a really special place for me to be in,” said Contreras on taking the throne from Molina. “It’s a huge responsibility because we all know what [Yadi] did for the Cardinals and baseball.”

Contreras wore a special pair of cleats to honor Molina’s legacy on Thursday. The red, yellow and white footwear read “RESPECT 4,” an ode to Molina’s jersey number. Each shoe also displayed the Gateway Arch.

Willson Contreras wore a special pair of cleats to honor Molina’s legacy on Thursday. The red, yellow and white footwear read “RESPECT 4,” an ode to Molina’s jersey number. Each shoe also displayed the Gateway Arch. (Photo: Joey Schneider)

“Now that I’m here, I got goosebumps. I’m excited for my journey, and I’m excited to help this team I can in any way win ballgames, [and] I made this for him,” said Contreras on the cleats. “I know he probably doesn’t expect that, but I feel like I had to do some kind of honor for him. After 18 in a row, he deserves this and more.”

Contreras had the chance to witness an Opening Day in St. Louis in 2017, months after he won a World Series title with the Cubs. On the other side of the rivalry, he has a new appreciation for the whole experience.

“Now that I’m here, it’s going to be better,” said Contreras on the Opening Day expectations. “I went out there [Wednesday] for practice and I felt the energy kicking off. I tried to not get too anxious, but I’m excited for this new journey.

Contreras, a Venezuela native, opted to stay with the Cardinals in spring camp rather than participate in the World Baseball Classic. He wanted to develop a strong rapport with the pitchers, and many St. Louis veterans took notice.

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“It was kind of tough with the WBC in spring, but my locker was right next to his,” said Miles Mikolas, the battery mate for Contreras on Opening Day. “What we didn’t get to share out there in the field necessarily, we got to hang out in the locker room, trade jokes, talk about pitches. Just kind of go back and forth, and shoot the bull. He’s fitting right in here on this team.”

“He’s a great player. We’ve competed against him for a long time,” said reigning MVP Paul Goldschmidt. “He brings a lot of energy, plays hard. He’s a great catcher, hitter, [and] he can do it all. He said he’s excited to be here, [and] we’re excited to have him.”

The Cardinals reported Friday that Contreras is considered day-to-day after undergoing tests on Friday. The Cardinals and Blue Jays return to Busch Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the second game of the home opener series.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

Illinois man charged with sharing sex video of former St. Louis County official

The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

Accused killer’s case thrown out over one question at trial

Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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