ANAHEIM -- Jose Molina is finding his season running full circle.
With the departure of brother and starting catcher Bengie Molina from last year's team, Jose Molina has gone from incumbent to backup and is now sharing the catcher's job with rookie Mike Napoli.
But the entire ride has not been pleasant. Jose Molina first had to say goodbye to his older brother, whom the Angels declined to offer salary arbitration, and go it alone in the Angels' clubhouse, but he also had to battle a bumper crop of rookie catchers in Spring Training.
Jeff Mathis made the Opening Day roster but struggled to find his way as a Major League catcher. He gave way to Napoli, who became the starter. While Napoli was rising, Molina was falling. After hitting .180 in April, he hit .182 in May.
But with a single on June 3 in Cleveland, Molina essentially turned his season around and has been hitting over .300 since.
"At one point I said I would do my job and not care about anything else," Molina said about shedding the pressure and just playing ball. "If it is hitting, I will swing hard. If it is catching, I will do the best job I know how."
Molina's renaissance is coming at a critical juncture for the ballclub. Napoli's offensive production has fallen dramatically in the second half and the club is entering the stretch drive. Mathis will return to the roster in September, but the experience that Molina can bring adds considerable depth to the position.
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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim : News : Los Angeles Angels News
Molina back in catching picture
Molina back in catching picture
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