Former rival Zack Cozart has no hesitation in declaring that Yadier Molina should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Widely regarded as one of the most respected players in baseball history, Molina built a legacy of achievements before retiring as a St. Louis Cardinal following the 2022 season. While debates about his Hall of Fame worthiness persist, his induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame seems inevitable once he becomes eligible.
Despite ongoing discussions among fans—which, to me, seem unnecessary—those who played alongside or against Molina continue to voice their admiration. Following former Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy’s defense of Molina as a top-three catcher of all time on Twitter, yet another former division rival has joined in to echo that sentiment.
Former Reds shortstop Zack Cozart believes Molina is a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Since Jonathan Lucroy shared his thoughts on Yadier Molina’s Hall of Fame candidacy, occasional debates have resurfaced questioning whether the longtime Cardinals catcher truly deserves the honor. But for those of us who had the privilege of watching his entire career unfold in St. Louis, there’s little doubt that Molina belongs in Cooperstown. While fan support is meaningful, it carries even more weight when former players—especially longtime rivals—publicly back his case.
Zack Cozart, who spent 2011 to 2017 with the Cincinnati Reds and faced Molina countless times from across the diamond, believes there’s no question about the catcher’s place in baseball history. When another social media post questioned whether Molina is worthy of first-ballot induction, Cozart didn’t hesitate to defend him and his Hall of Fame credentials.
While Zack Cozart won’t have a say when Yadier Molina appears on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2028, the growing chorus of support from former players like him could help influence the baseball writers who do hold that power. Of course, some voters stick strictly to their own criteria—sometimes ignoring context, peer praise, or even compelling statistics—and may have their minds made up long before ballots are cast. Still, Cozart brings a credible perspective, having faced Molina and the Cardinals regularly throughout his nine-year MLB career.
From 2012 to 2017, Cozart suited up against the Cardinals in 87 games and actually performed above his career norms. While not known as a major run producer from the top of the Reds’ lineup, he batted .263 in those contests, collecting 88 hits, scoring 42 runs, driving in 32 more, and hitting seven home runs. Reds fans might not enjoy hearing praise for a longtime rival, but baseball fans across the board should recognize and respect what Molina accomplished both between the lines and as a clubhouse leader.
Projecting Molina’s chances at first-ballot Hall of Fame induction is tricky, especially given the unpredictability of the voting process. However, the 2028 class of first-time eligible players doesn’t appear particularly strong beyond Molina and his former teammate, Albert Pujols—who is all but guaranteed to be a unanimous selection. Since voters can only select up to 10 candidates and often leave spots blank by choice, Molina’s fate may hinge on how many strong holdovers remain on the ballot from previous years.
