Not only has Willson Contreras taken over the Cardinals starting catching job once held by franchise icon Yadier Molina, but he’s been assigned the locker that formerly belonged to another iconic figure and one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time in Albert Pujols.
Contreras has perhaps the biggest shoes to fill of any free-agent acquisition in Major League Baseball this offseason.
After 18 consecutive Opening Day starts at catcher for the Cardinals, Molina is now retired. But Contreras, who started opposite Molina in 2017 for the Chicago Cubs, will make sure the former 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner’s legacy gets recognized during the season opener at Busch Stadium amidst all the pomp and circumstance.