Talk about pitfalls of travel ball: Cardinals legend Yadier Molina is now in Cubs gear

“Cursed image.” “A sin.” “Just threw up a little bit in my mouth.”

Each comment left under Talkin’ Baseball’s post on social media platform X is an apt description of baseball’s newest and strangest viral image: St. Louis Cardinals legend Yadier Molina wearing the gear of the Chicago Cubs.

It’s a jump scare the way Johnny Damon appeared cleanly shaven in a New York Yankees uniform after the former Boston Red Sox outfielder signed with the Yanks. But Molina, obviously, is retired from the game. This Cubs jacket, hat, shorts, and bag were more forced upon him: It is his son’s travel team, of which Molina is the coach.

See the image, shared by Talkin’ Baseball from protected Instagram account @louis_33:

Molina, one of the best catchers of all time, played all 19 MLB seasons with the Cardinals. During that time, he made 10 all-star games, won nine Gold Gloves and four Platinum Gloves, was a Silver Slugger, and was a two-time World Series champion.

Despite fairly pedestrian-hitting numbers, Molina has as good a Hall of Fame case as any other catcher of his generation.

And to emphasize: All 19 of those seasons were with the Cardinals. The Cubs rivalry runs in Molina’s blood. But now the Cubs colors run on his uniform.

As good of a baseball player as he was, this is Hall of Fame father material right here.