Family Reunion
This was one of the best home stands I can remember – and only in part because we went 5-1.
We were coming off a terrible road trip to San Diego and Seattle. We couldn’t score any runs for our pitchers. Then we came home and swept Atlanta and took two of three from St. Louis – and as a bonus we had a rare day off at home on Thursday.
And as an added added bonus for me, it so happened that St. Louis was flying in on our off day. Not only was I going to get to see my little brother Yadier, who is the starting catcher for the Cardinals, but he was bringing his wife, Wanda, and their 8-month old son, Yanuel, with him.
Jamie and I drove into the city around midday on Thursday to pick them up at the Ritz Carlton, the Cardinals’ hotel, to take them around the city and then back to our house in Lafayette for the night. We pulled up to the front of the building, where Yadier, Wanda and Yanuel were waiting. Then who should emerge from the door but my mother! I couldn’t believe it. I just hugged and hugged her. Yadier had flown her in from Puerto Rico to surprise me. He knew I was going through a down time with my hitting – and with the disappointment of hearing boos for the first time from our home fans — and wanted to cheer me up. It worked. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.
From the hotel, we piled in the car and went for lunch at Fruitlandia, the Puerto Rican restaurant I love so much. Afterward, Jamie and I took the crew to Fisherman’s Wharf to see the seals and we drove down the crooked part of Lombard Street. That night, we just chilled at our house. Yadier and I love music so we spent some time sharing songs on our laptops and Ipods.
We had lunch Friday at McCovey’s restaurant in Walnut Creek, another favorite of mine, then Yadier and I drove to the ballpark together.
When I got hit by a pitch in Friday’s game, and ended up face down on the ground, my family was just arriving at the park. Jamie told me later that my mother looked at me on the ground and Yadier bent over me and said, “He better help him up!” Yadier kept asking if I was OK.
“I’m fine, but it might slow me down on the bases,” I said, cracking Yadier up.
Jamie told me she had never seen my mother as happy or enthusiastic as she was watching Yadier and me play on the same field. She was just screaming and cheering both of us. My daughters were also there Friday night. Jamie picked them up at the airport in the late afternoon, and they were so happy to see their grandmother. After the game, all of us went to Mel’s Drive-In on Lombard because it’s open late. Then Jamie and I dropped Yadier and his family and my mother and daughters at the hotel. My mother was staying in the hotel that night, and my daughters always sleep with her whenever they’re together. They adore her and, because they don’t see her as often as they would like, they spend every minute with her that they can.
It was tough to say goodbye to my mother and brother on Sunday. I miss them so much. And I’m so proud of how Yadier has matured into such a wonderful man. He’s a great dad and a great son to our mother.
On another note, I realized recently that there was one big thing I forgot to tell you.
In February, during spring training, Jamie and I got married in Scottsdale. It was a small, beautiful ceremony at sunset in a little park. We’ve been together so long – we’ve known each other 10 years – that I already thought of Jamie as my wife. I can’t imagine my life without her. Maybe that’s why I didn’t think to write about the wedding. We had been married in my mind for a long time already.
Behind the Mask 
What a great story – and a great family that you have! Treasure them always! And congrats on the wedding! May you have many happy years together! God Bless!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Well, no matter how long you’ve been together, congratulations on your union Bengie! 🙂 I’m glad that your big family weekend cheered you up and hopefully fueled you for the long road trip ahead. Sorry that you’ve been booed; SF fans can be brutal sometimes. Know that we love you deep down and have come to expect great things from you!
Wow, Bengie, this post really made me smile! Except for the part about home fans booing you!!!!! I’ve been in Peru for the past week (and still am) so I obviously haven’t had a chance to go to any games, recently or watch them on TV, but I can’t believe Giants fans are booing you!! That makes me sad. I would never boo you, Bengie!!!! And if I were at the games with fans booing you, I would tell them to stop! I know that even while you may be in a slump, you bring so much to the team just by being there. And I know you’ll break out of the slump soon!!! Anyway, I’m so glad to hear that your family was able to come and cheer you up, and that you could have such a great time with them. Perfect timing for an off day!! And, of course, congratulations on your marriage!!! Thank you, once again, for sharing part of your life with us.
Lauren
http://sfgiantsgirl.mlblogs.com
We were at Saturday’s game right behind the Giants dugout.. I was touched to see you and your brother acknowledge each other at the plate – thinking what fine young men your parents have raised…. and to read that your Mom was there – How wonderful for her!! What a nice surprise for you! Pretty nice little brother – but I voted for YOU for All-Star catcher – Yadier will have to wait!! When I saw you look in the stands behind home plate, I was hoping lots of Molinas were there – but having your Mom there was a special treat!! Yay! We’re following you Giants to Milwaukee and St. Louis late in the month…. We’ll be wearing orange!! Go Giants!
Hey Bengie,
What a touching story about you and your family. I can’t even imagine how excited and proud your mom was to see you and Yadier playing out there on the same field at the same time. That must be an unbelievable feeling! I can’t believe that Giants fans booed you. That is so rude! But of course that is their right. Obviously those fans who booed you, don’t realize the impact that you have on the team. Yeah you were going through a down time with your hitting, but all players go through that sometime in their careers. Keep your head up Bengie! True fans never boo their home team no matter what. Just know that there are a lot of fans out there who appreciate what you do for the team. In fact, I voted for you thousands of times already for the Allstar team. I really do hope you make it. You deserve it! Oh yeah, Congrats to you and Jamie on your marriage! I wish you two all the best! See you at the park.
Stephanie
Hey Bengie,
What a touching story about you and your family. I can’t even imagine how excited and proud your mom was to see you and Yadier playing out there on the same field at the same time. That must be an unbelievable feeling! I can’t believe that Giants fans booed you. That is so rude! But of course that is their right. Obviously those fans who booed you, don’t realize the impact that you have on the team. Yeah you were going through a down time with your hitting, but all players go through that sometime in their careers. Keep your head up Bengie! True fans never boo their home team no matter what. Just know that there are a lot of fans out there who appreciate what you do for the team. In fact, I voted for you thousands of times already for the Allstar team. I really do hope you make it. You deserve it! Oh yeah, Congrats to you and Jamie on your marriage! I wish you two all the best! See you at the park.
Stephanie
Bengie – Thanks for sharing the story about your family’s surprise visit. Hope you’re having a good and restful day off today in DC, and best of luck in the Nats series.
Thanks also for tossing me Lincecum’s final (strike 3) pitch from your last game at Dodger Stadium. My friend Dave and I were the vocal Giants fans in enemy territory, sitting behind your dugout for that series…and we’ll be back there when you guys return to LA in September. I think I’m finally over the fact that you were on the Angels team that beat the Giants in 2002. 🙂 Take care.
Bengie-Thanks for always sharing with your fans. However, im not from San Fran. I’m from St.Louis and I’m in LOVE with Yadier everything I own has something to do with him haha! I have a purse with pics of him, a shirt I made, pics on my wall and I finally had the blessing to meet him at the 2009 Winter Warm Up and I won’t ever forget what he did. I have always wanted to meet him however i started crying when i got up close to him and Yadi said “Don’t cry! Dont Cry” and held my hand I will never forget that! Yadier will always be my favorite player! Sorry this comment is not about you. But keep your head up and you can come back strong! Dont ever doubt yourself. Even though I’m not a Giants fan Im still rooting for you!! Good Luck on your next game. Thanks again for always sharing and I look forward to many more posts!!
Have a great day 🙂
and
God Bless
Bengie, I always enjoy reading your posts. Any fan who would boo a 2-time Willie Mac award winner is NO FAN AT ALL! I kind of noticed(correct me if I’m wrong) that you went into that mini-slump about the time you got hit in the knee while you were catching during a game a couple of weeks ago. And then you get plunked again while at the plate vs. the Cards. It was very touching to see Yadier help you to stand up and check to see if you were OK. I can’t imagine when all 3 Molina brothers are together, how much love and support you share with each other and your families. Your Mom must be EXTEREMELY proud of her Sons! Best Wishes and Good Luck to you and My Giants on this next long road trip. I know when you get to Phoenix,you’re going to enjoy sleeping in your own bed for a couple of nights. I was suppose to go to that 3 game series vs. the D-Backs, but I just don’t have the funds($$$) to make the trip. Take Care, Jingles(AKA:The Rally Pumpkin)
Bro,
This is the kind of post that show everyone who you are. Thank you for being so down the earth and for reasons like this I’ll keep talking to my kids about you, Cheo and Yadi. In regards to the hitting slump we have all gone through one or two, or three… Trust your instincts and keep swinging they will fall! Take care,
DA
Bengie,
I had know idea you had this blog. I just stumbled upon it, and I’m glad I did. Your blog is awesome. The fact that you have a blog, is awesome. The Reds are my team, but I will be keeping up with you. I never followed you before, but you are on my fantasy team, and glad you are. Good luck to you and the Giants.
BENGIE! YOU ARE THE BEST! I don’t care if your in a hitting slump, your an outstanding, and I mean OUTSTANDING cather. And its completely ridiculous for fans to boo you for being in a hitting slump (which everybody goes in at one point) especially when our offense has picked up and is scoring runs. You’ll come out of it on fire, and I know it. Keep your head up and keep playing with the passion and intensity you always do! Your brother Yadier is a stand up guy, and it sounds like you have a really awesome family. It put a huge smile on my face to read about it all. God Bless you my friend!
~Aaron
Sounds like you had a great family weekend! I actually flew out to San Francisco for the series. My first time to AT&T park, and I loved it. You Giants could have been a little less stingy with good pitches for my Cardinals to hit, but I enjoyed the good close games.
I took a ton of pictures and caught some really nice shots of you and your brother together. It was so fun to see one brother at the plate and one brother behind the plate. Very cool. Some of the best pics are posted on my blog if you want to see them. Good luck in D.C.!
-Kathy
http://redbirdchatter.mlblogs.com
Hey Bengie. I was looking at Yadi pics and came upon this article and thought you would like it.
It’s about You, Yadi, and Jose and your parents and how you guys are so supportive towards one another and how your parents raised you to become a catcher in the major leagues.
It’s a very good article you should check it out!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/29/sports/baseball/29molinas.html?pagewanted=all
Have a great day
hope to hear from you soon
if you like send me a email at
ilovealbertpujols5@hotmail.com
that would make my day =]
thanks again
I’m so happy to read that you’re all such a close nit family with tremendous values. There is nothing more beautiful in the world than showing your parents how much they mean to you. Gracias a ti y a tus hermanos por poner a Puerto Rico en alto. Estoy bien orgullosa de ustedes! Que Dios los bendiga a todos siempre y se cuidan. Tienen un corazon de oro.
-Johanna
Hey Bengie,
Love your blog, can you tell us a little bit about what it was like catching RJ’s 300th win? We’ve heard his side, but I would love to hear about calling his game and also managing the lead and the bullpen. What did you think about that third strike with the bases loaded to end the eighth, man that was close.
congratulations Benji! we just love you so much and inspire me to be a better person everyday! I got a new dog on mothers day. an 8 weeks chihuaua. I named it Moli for short of Molina. Again, congratulations to you and Jaime. God Bless to you and your family!
I’m getting to this a bit late, but I wanted to congratulate you on your marriage! My fiance and I have known each other over ten years as well and hope to finally get married within the next year.
I am so glad you were able to have that small reunion. I teared up when I read about being able to see your mom. What a great surprise.
Don’t worry about a few unappreciative “fans.” You and everyone are doing their best and fans need to be there for you when things are going good and bad. Keep your chin up and know that there are a lot us who love and admire you no matter what.
Take care!
-Jess
I’m getting to this a bit late, but I wanted to congratulate you on your marriage! My fiance and I have known each other over ten years as well and hope to finally get married within the next year.
I am so glad you were able to have that small reunion. I teared up when I read about being able to see your mom. What a great surprise.
Don’t worry about a few unappreciative “fans.” You and everyone are doing their best and fans need to be there for you when things are going good and bad. Keep your chin up and know that there are a lot us who love and admire you no matter what.
Take care!
-Jess
Hey Bengie! Saludos, espero que te este llendo mejor, y tienes razón no hay nada mejor que la familia. Yo estudio en St. Louis (viste mala mia pero tengo que tener a Yadi como el # 1) y cuando puedo encontrarme con la familia me hace el día. El amor por los gigantes me salió cuando jugaba en la selección de Borinquen en San Juan y era Gigante, por los Gigantes de Carolina, y también en el aeropuerto me encontre una vez a Benito Santiago cuando estaba con los Gigantes y me firmo una foto y se tomo una foto y era bien buena gente. Bueno, te deseo lo mejor, éxito, y sabes que tienes mi apoyo, arriba ***án.
– Andy
http://allincards.mlblogs.com/
Bengie,
I think you are a real class act. You always seem to be doing your best for the team. You are also very kind to your fans. You probably don’t remember this but a couple of years ago at an autograph signing a boy asked you for 2 autographs 1 for himself & 1 for his Mama she was having eye surgery and couldn’t come . Well that was my son he was so thrilled at how kind you were to him and couldn’t wait to tell me. That touched my heart that you were generous enough to do that. You made fans with this family for life. Gracias ! your amazing. You are a real assest to the Giants and a great role model for all the young latinos out here.As far as someone booing you at the game well they are not true fans. Don’t you worry about them the rest of us are behind you 150 % We know you always come through for us . You do your thing baby you are coming back. On the game when you went down and your brother checked to see if you were alright you two of you made every mama proud. I bet your mother was the proudest lady in the park what a beautiful moment. She must be so proud as she should be. Felicidades on your marriage ! I wish you many years of happiness. See you at
the game . We will be cheering you on from the bleachers
Felicidad dia de los Padres
There is nothing better than spending time with your family. congratulations on your wedding. I think the same way you used to think, although my wife and I are not officially married we have to beautiful little girls together. we have been together for five years and even though is not official, to me, she’s my wife. happy father’s day..
Bengie – Happy Father’s Day!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Hey Benjie Tell me, what is the significance of the number 20 on your squat pads? We’ve missed seeing a new entry on your blog. See you in Milwaukee and St. Louis!
Bengie aun que mi corazon esta en NY con tu hermano Jose Molina de todo corazón mi compatriota me alegra saber que uno de los mios tiene un Blog aqui y sobre todo que podamos dialogar en nuestro idioma , mi hijo es catcher al igual que ustedes y siendo tu padre (R.I.P.) tu y tus hermanos sus idolos me llena de mucha emocion poder compartir estas breves palabras …. mi hijo tiene 12 años somos de Trujillo Alto PR y bueno estuvo este pasado verano en sus primeras mundiales como seleccionado de la CABA Puerto Rico representando nuestros colores la pasamos super en Chicago IL donde fueron las finales y llegamos 5to de 18 equipos (en la ronda de oro) Nada mi amigo me alegra saber que tu familia esta tan unida , que comparte y sobre todo deceandote muchas felicidades por la recien llegado del bebe. Que dios lo(a) bendiga y sigue representando a Puerto Rico. Se les quiere mucho en su tierra Paz….. Boriyankee Karl Morales.
I have read writings about you, Jose and Yadier and about your father and mother. I can’t help but to appreciate how you have grown to be that close as brothers. Perhaps it is because of your parents – their guidance and the way they taught you how to live life and reach for your dreams.
Me too, has two brothers, however, exactly opposite of your situation – I am the youngest. And the average age gap between the three of us is about 6 years. That simply explains that I didn’t get much of the chance to play with my 2 older brothers because by the time I have learned to catch a baseball or dribble a basketball, they have been busy with their college lives (married life as for my eldest brother). This somehow, molds me to say that your 2 younger brothers are very lucky to have played with you – to be close like that to you. And somehow, while I am reading of the writings about you, how I’d wish I were your brother too.
Yadier, Jose and You are humble people – which makes me more appreciate and admire you as people, more than just athletes behind those batters and those plates.
Thanks. First I am very happy that you signed for another year Bengie. You may not be the fastest guy on our team, but you have been the heart and sole. I love your throw-em-out move to second. No one in Baseball is better.I really hope that this is the year you and the Giants really stomp on the Dodgers. I do not care if you loose the other games, as long as you kick the crap out of them. I know that if the players stay healthy the Giants will be a hard team to beat. They only need to have a hot streak to really make a good run to the Play-offs. So good luck Bengie, take your team all the way. Do not let anything stand in your way. Also if you get a chance Please stop and look at my BLOG spot. lwalth
http://electricdemise.blogspot.com/ Thanks again. Bengie