As Molina marched on — catcher aging curve be damned — a new possible successor emerged in Knizner, the Cardinals’ seventh-round pick in 2016.

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, right, pumps up teammates Nolan Arenado, left, and Harrison Bader, center, before the start of a game against Kansas City on May 2, 2022 at Busch Stadium.

LOUIS -- Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina made their 324th career start Thursday, tying the major league mark set by Detroit's Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan from 1963-1975.

He pitched Molina as the greatest catcher of all time. In his Twitter account, Wainwright shared, “Nobody will ever convince me that @yadimolina04 isn’t the best CATCHER of all time.” ...

He has received the bulk of the starts at catcher in Molina’s absence. Prior to the All-Star break, Knizner was heating up at the plate. He’s hitting .207/.300/.260.

Houston acquired Christian Vazquez to be a 'veteran postseason' presence at backup catcher, and he ended up calling history in Game 4. Soon, he's a free agent.

When asked how the conversations between Molina and the organization took place regarding the catcher’s decision to leave, manager Oli Marmol dismissed them as a “non-issue across the board ...

The future hall of fame catcher signed a one-year, $10 million deal before the season to keep him in Cardinals red. Molina has been a big draw at Hammons Field when he's made rehab appearances ...

Jonathan Lucroy, a former MLB catcher and division rival of the Cardinals, took to X to defend Molina, criticizing anybody doubting his place on the list of the greatest catchers the game has ever ...

Explore the best catchers of all time in MLB history. Discover the players whose stats, achievements, records and legacies that defined the position.