It’s no secret that throughout his storied career, St. Louis Cardinals legend and long-time backstop Yadier Molina had more than his fair share of gripes with umpires.
Although the future Hall-of-Famer is now retired and managing Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, his issues with umpires have not ceased to be.
In fact on Sunday, he had a good reason to be upset.
When Christian Vazquez was called out at first base, Molina wanted to challenge the call.
From his vantage point, he could see Vazquez was never actually tagged on a bang-bang play.
However, the umpires did not allow Molina a chance to challenge.
Yadier Molina was unhappy that Puerto Rico was unable to challenge the ruling on this play at 1st base. pic.twitter.com/AuTOBOA6Z6
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 13, 2023
Needless to say, this moment drew Molina’s ire.
The future Hall-of-Famer is no stranger to argue with umpires.
Clearly, that aspect of Molina’s personality has not changed.
But the replay clearly showed that Vazquez was never tagged after a throw pulled Luis Arraez off the bag.
Still, when Molina asked to challenge the play, the umpires did not allow him to do so, which understandably drew the Cardinals legend’s ire.
Venezuela ultimately won the game by a final score of 9-6 in day two of Pool D WBC play.
And true to form, Molina let the umpiring crew hear it after he was not given the opportunity to challenge a call that was clearly wrong.
Vazquez clearly ducked under the tag and was safe at first base.
The crowd at loan Depot park also echoed Molina’s sentiments by booing the umpiring crew for their misstep.
NEXT:
Team Korea Wrapped Up WBC Pool Play By Making History
