JUPITER, Fla. — When Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras got out of his crouch, went chest-to-chest and catcher’s mask-to-nose with Washington Nationals slugger Dominic Smith and barked at Smith to get to first base in the fourth inning Tuesday, the exchange resonated with definite Yadier Molina vibes.
Contreras’ message, the aggressive delivery method, and the unflinching desire to stand up for young pitcher Gordon Graceffo after he’d pelted Smith in the leg with an errant pitch, all hit on the qualities Cardinals followers have come to expect from their catcher.
A three-time All-Star and a World Series champion, Contreras has absolutely established himself.