In the history of Major League Baseball, it’s rare that three brothers make it to the “big show.” The DiMaggios (Joe, Dom, and Vince) did it, as did the Alous (Felipe, Matty, and Jesus). The latest trio of siblings to play in the big leagues are the Molinas – Bengie, Yadier, and Jose – all of whom have excelled as catchers. The man who lit a fire under them was their father, Benjamin Molina Santana, a Puerto Rican factory worker, who is the focus of the Molina family story written by Bengie, the oldest son. Altogether, the brothers have earned six World Series rings.
Here’’s an excerpt from Molina:
I heard stories that Pai [Bengie Molina’s father] had dreamed of making it to the Major Leagues. He had been a great baseball player in his day. One of the best in Puerto Rico. Famous, even. People told stories about how he played second base like a scorpion, scuttling from side to side in the blink of an eye. They told how he gripped the bat so far up the handle you swore he would poke himself in the belly when he swung, and how even with the crazy grip he still hit home runs. Our house was filled with his trophies.
“Everyone thought he’d make it to the Major Leagues like Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rico’s national hero. But he never did. He never even got to the minor leagues.
“Instead he spent almost forty years working at a factory.
“I don’t recall exactly when, but I decided I would make it to the Major Leagues. As his oldest son and namesake, I would make Pai’s dream come true through me. I would erase his failure with my success.”
