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Molina: The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty
New York Times Bestseller
“It’s this year’s baseball book most likely to be made into a terrific movie.” — The Chicago Tribune
“Affecting...A simply told, deeply moving story, quite unlike the usual baseball book.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A baseball rules book. A tape measure. A lottery ticket.
These were in the pocket of Bengie Molina’s father when he died of a heart attack on the rutted Little League field in his Puerto Rican barrio. The items serve as thematic guideposts in Molina’s beautiful memoir about his father, who through baseball taught his three sons about loyalty, humility, courage, and the true meaning of success.
Bengie and his two brothers—Jose and six-time All-Star Yadier—became famous catchers in the Major Leagues and have six World Series championships among them. Only the DiMaggio brothers can rival the Molinas as the most accomplished siblings in baseball history.
Bengie was the least likely to reach the Majors. He was too slow, too sensitive, and too small. But craving his beloved father’s respect, Bengie weathered failure after deflating failure until one day he was hoisting a World Series trophy in a champagne-soaked clubhouse. All along he thought he was fulfilling his father’s own failed dream of baseball glory—only to discover it had not been his father’s dream at all.
Written with the emotional power of sports classics such as Field of Dreams and Friday Night Lights , Molina is a love story between a formidable but flawed father and a son who, in unearthing answers about his father’s life, comes to understand his own.
“It’s this year’s baseball book most likely to be made into a terrific movie.” — The Chicago Tribune
“Affecting...A simply told, deeply moving story, quite unlike the usual baseball book.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A baseball rules book. A tape measure. A lottery ticket.
These were in the pocket of Bengie Molina’s father when he died of a heart attack on the rutted Little League field in his Puerto Rican barrio. The items serve as thematic guideposts in Molina’s beautiful memoir about his father, who through baseball taught his three sons about loyalty, humility, courage, and the true meaning of success.
Bengie and his two brothers—Jose and six-time All-Star Yadier—became famous catchers in the Major Leagues and have six World Series championships among them. Only the DiMaggio brothers can rival the Molinas as the most accomplished siblings in baseball history.
Bengie was the least likely to reach the Majors. He was too slow, too sensitive, and too small. But craving his beloved father’s respect, Bengie weathered failure after deflating failure until one day he was hoisting a World Series trophy in a champagne-soaked clubhouse. All along he thought he was fulfilling his father’s own failed dream of baseball glory—only to discover it had not been his father’s dream at all.
Written with the emotional power of sports classics such as Field of Dreams and Friday Night Lights , Molina is a love story between a formidable but flawed father and a son who, in unearthing answers about his father’s life, comes to understand his own.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
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498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 31, 2020
As told by the eldest Molina son, Bengie, this was a very touching memoir about Pai Molina and his close-knit family. They lived in poverty outside San Juan Puerto Rico but Pai’s true love was baseball. All three sons would go on to star in the big leagues as catchers.
It’s only after his father’s passing that Bengie learns what his dad’s real dream was. It’s like that aha moment in Planes, Trains and Automobiles when Steve Martin’s character truly understands Dell’s story.
This book is an insightful cultural story as well.
5 stars. I enjoyed this memoir immensely, somewhat reminiscent of the Roberto Clemente biography by David Marannis, but this book was much more uplifting.
April 17, 2022
I love baseball, my favorite team is the St. Louis Cardinals & my favorite player is Catcher Yadier Molina. In fact, as I'm writing this review, I am wearing my "This Girl Loves Yadi" hoodie! This book was so much more than I expected. Written by the oldest of the three Molina sons, Bengie Molina, this book was mostly about their Pai (Benjamin Molina Sr.) and how he raised an unlikely Baseball Dynasty of three sons all making the Major Leagues. All three Molina boys were Catchers and all three were on winning World Series teams.
This book was about so much more than just baseball. This is a story about perseverance, commitment, pride, the love of the game, but most of all, this is a story about family. I learned so much about the role a catcher plays in the game and the bond between pitchers & the catcher. This book really made me understand the connection that Yadier Molina and Adam Wainright have with each other. I loved the little tidbits about Yadier. There were times this book had me laughing out loud (Yadi's antics as a child) and the last few chapters I had to read through tears.
I usually don't keep my books after I've read them, but this one I am holding onto. I hope to be in Cooperstown when Yadi is inducted into the Hall of Fame. I would love to have the book autographed by him. It would be amazing if I could get it autographed by all three Molina brothers!
This book was about so much more than just baseball. This is a story about perseverance, commitment, pride, the love of the game, but most of all, this is a story about family. I learned so much about the role a catcher plays in the game and the bond between pitchers & the catcher. This book really made me understand the connection that Yadier Molina and Adam Wainright have with each other. I loved the little tidbits about Yadier. There were times this book had me laughing out loud (Yadi's antics as a child) and the last few chapters I had to read through tears.
I usually don't keep my books after I've read them, but this one I am holding onto. I hope to be in Cooperstown when Yadi is inducted into the Hall of Fame. I would love to have the book autographed by him. It would be amazing if I could get it autographed by all three Molina brothers!
October 28, 2018
If you are a baseball fan, a fan of the Cardinals or any of the 3 Molina brothers, you will love this book. If you are a father with a son who plays sports, you should read this book.
March 24, 2017
Story of a humble man who only wanted to play and teach children how to play baseball. His son's all became major athletics but Pai would never leave his home in Puerto Rico and still lived in the surroundings he raised his boys. Very touching.
July 4, 2025
Via Audiobook. I guess I’m on a baseball kick right now. But this was fun to hear the story behind the Molina brothers and their Dad! I also think Lin Manuel Miranda might be making a movie out of the book, so had to read it for myself
August 6, 2025
4.5 stars
June 19, 2017
I got this book because I am a huge Cards fan. This is a great baseball book, I absolutely loved it!
May 5, 2015
Men are masters at translating relationships and war into sports metaphors. It’s fed by a primal memory of organizing for the hunt, rewarded by the warm glow of a full belly and a camp fire. Or cracker jacks and hot dogs on a modern day field of dreams.
Now let me chalk the lines as I review the best new baseball book of the year: MOLINA, the story of the father who raised an unlikely baseball dynasty. Do you know of the Molina family -- Bengie, Jose and Yadier -- all catchers with two World Series rings each? It’s an amazing run ripe for the annals of Cooperstown. Perhaps they are the most accomplished siblings in baseball history.
Says Major Leaguer Ron Darling, “Molina is a must-read for all parents who want to teach their children the skills of the game while making sure they know that their skills away from the diamond are just as important."
As humans, we want the world to make sense and to give us a batting order we can ascend to grasp at the brass ring. We want to believe that when players come together and prize team over individual glory, we have the best chance to win. It’s the ancient adage to value tribe over self, to subsume personal needs to village and community. Done properly, it adds secret sauce to a life worth living. If you’ve watched any of the NBA playoff games, you get my drift. I marvel that human beings can rise so high, effortlessly, ah la Steph Curry. Swoosh!
The Molina brothers were coached by their dad, lovingly called Pai, a semi-pro player who looked after the ball yard across the street in their Puerto Rican barrio. He was an anchor for his family, the coach for his community. Thousands turned out to say Thank You when he passed away. The Molina brothers benefitted and aspired to be just like him. In the eyes of the fans for the Angels, Rangers, Giants and Cardinals, they succeeded.
The real story in Molina is how a son comes to terms with his father’s legacy. It makes me wonder how many sons are living their father’s dreams. I also like books that simply life to a few cardinal values. The virtues here are loyalty, humility and courage. And thus, we pass wisdom to our children. I invite you to do so by gifting this book to those young ball players you love. I expect it might add some dash in their quest on the base paths of life.
August 20, 2016
One of the best sports books I've read, splitting time between the Molina patriarch - a Puerto Rican legend on the diamond - and his eldest son Benjie, who clawed through poverty, tryouts, a language barrier, a crappy manager, a bad marriage, and a position change to become a solid hitter and a very good catcher. At any given time 60 men on the planet are employed as MLB catchers, and this one family produced 5% of that total from 2004-2010. The first half of the book does an excellent job of creating a feel for a place, a northeaster Puerto Rican neighborhood with not a lot of money but a big dedication to baseball. I felt like I could walk through Vega Alta and not get lost after reading this.
I think Yadier's a future hall of famer based on his decent offense and arguably greatest of all time ability to call a game and manage a pitching staff. Benjie and Jose aren't quite at that level, but for one family to have a son donning the tools of ignorance behind the plate in 7 of 9 World Series is remarkable. Ultimately this is the story of the man who made that possible.
I think Yadier's a future hall of famer based on his decent offense and arguably greatest of all time ability to call a game and manage a pitching staff. Benjie and Jose aren't quite at that level, but for one family to have a son donning the tools of ignorance behind the plate in 7 of 9 World Series is remarkable. Ultimately this is the story of the man who made that possible.
June 1, 2015
IF you are a baseball fan, you will like this book. It is not the best written despite a ghost writer to help Bengie put his story together. But it is a very heartfelt tribute to the Molina patriarch, the poor father who, despite his own baseball prowess and possibilities, dedicated his life to his family and all the kids in the barrio that was their neighborhood. He taught them all the love of baseball and the skills that got his own three sons successful careers as catchers in the Major Leagues. If you love baseball and particularly if you have a special place in your heart for Bengie, Jose or Yadier Molina, you definitely should give this a read.
September 13, 2015
Joan Ryan has done an excellent job telling the story of Benjamin Molina, the father of three sons who all became major league catchers and won World Series titles. After reading this one can understand why she has won so many writing awards.
Molina is a story about family, with baseball as a backdrop. It is a moving story; you'll want to keep the tissues handy at its end. Such a pleasure to read about a decent person raising decent kids, someone who understands what is really important in life.
Molina is a story about family, with baseball as a backdrop. It is a moving story; you'll want to keep the tissues handy at its end. Such a pleasure to read about a decent person raising decent kids, someone who understands what is really important in life.
May 27, 2017
I loved it. I absolutely loved it. I cannot wait to make the time to write about why. But for now I will simply say I loved it. Here is one reason: family. Here is another: humility. Here is a third: Baseball.
August 20, 2015
A great baseball book! It is very inspirational!
March 29, 2023
I love the game of baseball and am a die-hard Cardinals fan so as soon as I saw the book Molina I knew it was a must read for me. I was expecting to read a lot about baseball with a touch of Bengie Molina’s personal life. It was the complete opposite and I was wonderfully surprised.
It was enlightening to see Bengie not just as a World Series Champion (twice) and a Gold Glove winner (twice) but as a real human being. He goes into very vivid details of the triumphs and struggles he has endured in his personal life as well as in his baseball journey. Growing up in the Molina house meant that your life revolved around baseball. Bengie’s father, Pai, was a terrific athlete himself. As the boys (Bengie, Jose, and Yadier) grew older, Pai was their coach in little league and taught them everything he knew of the game. Along with teaching them the rules of the game, he taught them the rules of life which were all about love and respect. Bengie, Jose, and Yadier have taken these lessons to heart and have lead them to great accomplishments on and off the field.
Molina has a very close relationship with his parents, Pai and Mai, and his brothers, Jose and Yadier, whom he talks so highly of and tells some wonderful stories. Reading this book you can see just how humble the Molina family is. The sacrifices made by Pai for his sons, the love, respect and support that they all show for each other is nothing short of inspiring. I think what amazed me the most was the fact that Bengie does not credit himself for any of his accomplishments but rather gives it all to Pai, Mai, Jose, and Yadier.
I highly recommend this book. You don’t have to know a lot about baseball to appreciate the compassion that this family shows towards one another and the desire to chase their lifelong dreams. Anyone who chooses to read this book will be touched.
Thank you to Bengie Molina for sharing such intimate details of your life with us so that we can come to know and love the three Molinas behind the mask!
It was enlightening to see Bengie not just as a World Series Champion (twice) and a Gold Glove winner (twice) but as a real human being. He goes into very vivid details of the triumphs and struggles he has endured in his personal life as well as in his baseball journey. Growing up in the Molina house meant that your life revolved around baseball. Bengie’s father, Pai, was a terrific athlete himself. As the boys (Bengie, Jose, and Yadier) grew older, Pai was their coach in little league and taught them everything he knew of the game. Along with teaching them the rules of the game, he taught them the rules of life which were all about love and respect. Bengie, Jose, and Yadier have taken these lessons to heart and have lead them to great accomplishments on and off the field.
Molina has a very close relationship with his parents, Pai and Mai, and his brothers, Jose and Yadier, whom he talks so highly of and tells some wonderful stories. Reading this book you can see just how humble the Molina family is. The sacrifices made by Pai for his sons, the love, respect and support that they all show for each other is nothing short of inspiring. I think what amazed me the most was the fact that Bengie does not credit himself for any of his accomplishments but rather gives it all to Pai, Mai, Jose, and Yadier.
I highly recommend this book. You don’t have to know a lot about baseball to appreciate the compassion that this family shows towards one another and the desire to chase their lifelong dreams. Anyone who chooses to read this book will be touched.
Thank you to Bengie Molina for sharing such intimate details of your life with us so that we can come to know and love the three Molinas behind the mask!
June 12, 2019
I love baseball and Bengie. He was the catcher for my favorite team, the San Francisco Giants from 2007-2010. The book did include some things I didn't know about Bengie. He was a fast runner as a kid (he eventually became one of the slowest men in baseball); he didn't catch until he became a minor league player; he played for cash in the summer when he was in college (you would think he would lose his eligibility by doing so); when he was in college he basically had one class in which he learned to speak English (you have to wonder if that was legal); his hatred for his first manager, Pat Collins, who wouldn't play him; and his dislike for the young shortstop of the Angels who didn't like Bengie's pitch calling (Orlando Cabrerra).
The book is really about Bengie and his relationship with his father, Pai, who raised three boys to be Major League Baseball catchers with 2 World Series rings a piece-Bengie, Jose and Yadier. Family was very important to the Molina boys. You will get a glimpse of the pride Pai had for Bengie and the disappointment he also had in Bengie when Bengie got a divorce from his first wife.
I was disappointed in the editing that obviously didn't catch some of the mistakes. Bengie mentions how when he played for Cedar Rapids in low Class A that he met Jose, who played for Des Moines in the finals. Des Moines doesn't have a low Class A baseball team. They have a AAA baseball team. This error made me question much of what was in the book. My guess is that Jose played for the Cubs Class A team in Peoria.
The book is really about Bengie and his relationship with his father, Pai, who raised three boys to be Major League Baseball catchers with 2 World Series rings a piece-Bengie, Jose and Yadier. Family was very important to the Molina boys. You will get a glimpse of the pride Pai had for Bengie and the disappointment he also had in Bengie when Bengie got a divorce from his first wife.
I was disappointed in the editing that obviously didn't catch some of the mistakes. Bengie mentions how when he played for Cedar Rapids in low Class A that he met Jose, who played for Des Moines in the finals. Des Moines doesn't have a low Class A baseball team. They have a AAA baseball team. This error made me question much of what was in the book. My guess is that Jose played for the Cubs Class A team in Peoria.
February 13, 2024
This was a page turner after getting ahold of a signed copy at the Stray Rescue of St. Louis gala in December 2023 (Benjie & his wife Courtney are huge supporters of the organization and donated several silent auction items).
While I’ve enjoyed Benjie and his personality as the color commentator for the Cardinales radio broadcast team, this book provided so much backstory behind the Molinas, perhaps the most accomplished baseball family of the modern era. The foundation was laid by their father, a Puerto Rican baseball legend himself, who taught his three sons many lessons about baseball and life. Long after Benjie, Jose, and Yadier made it to the Majors, their father continued to work in the nearby factory and also coach a team of 9- and 10-year old players. In fact, he died of a massive heart attack at young age of 58 on the local field. This tribute by Benjie tells the importance of family and the importance of an engaged and loving father.
Would highly recommend to anyone, not just baseball fans. But if you do like the sport, today (Feb 12) is the day pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training. Hope springs eternal and for the Cardinals, let’s get #12 in 2024!
While I’ve enjoyed Benjie and his personality as the color commentator for the Cardinales radio broadcast team, this book provided so much backstory behind the Molinas, perhaps the most accomplished baseball family of the modern era. The foundation was laid by their father, a Puerto Rican baseball legend himself, who taught his three sons many lessons about baseball and life. Long after Benjie, Jose, and Yadier made it to the Majors, their father continued to work in the nearby factory and also coach a team of 9- and 10-year old players. In fact, he died of a massive heart attack at young age of 58 on the local field. This tribute by Benjie tells the importance of family and the importance of an engaged and loving father.
Would highly recommend to anyone, not just baseball fans. But if you do like the sport, today (Feb 12) is the day pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training. Hope springs eternal and for the Cardinals, let’s get #12 in 2024!
July 5, 2018
I'm a huge baseball fan, and an even bigger fan of Yadier Molina, so I obviously had to read this book written by his brother about their father. Because Yadi plays for the Cardinals, I've heard over and over how unlikely he and his brothers' success is - three brothers all playing in the Major Leagues, and all winning 2 World Series rings each. And while this book serves as an autobiography of sorts for the eldest brother, Bengie, it's mostly about their father: the man who shaped these three catcher brothers into the players - and people - they are today. I very much loved this in-depth look at their lives in Puerto Rico, and getting to know their mom and dad through Bengie's eyes. Anybody who truly loves baseball should give this book a read. You very much will not be disappointed.
June 28, 2023
This book was in large part just a recount of all of the trials and tribulations of Bengie Molina’s life for the first 60-70% of the book. I didn’t expect it to be anything great from a literary perspective, but as a catcher, I just wanted to learn more about the Molina family and how their lives were like as kids. When it started to come together in part 5, and he was talking about his dad, you could feel the emotions he had for him. I don’t think I have read a book yet that you could feel the emotions so clearly. In the end, it was really enjoyable though and I’m glad the ending was the way it was, because this book ended up drastically exceeding expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2021
The book is the story of Benji Molina's mother and father raised their three sons to be baseball players. It is more importantly how they raised three wonderful human beings who happen to be professional baseball players. Playing the game the way both their mother and father taught them formed their characters. Benji always felt terrible that their father had "sacrificed" his career in the big leagues to raise his children and take care of his family only to find out that his father wanted his life to be exactly the way it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2018
Great book. Fabulous insight into baseball and the three Molina brothers who played catcher in the Major Leagues. But while we learn about Bengie's journey in the bigs, this is mostly the story of a father, and family, and fathers and sons, and life. As a baseball lover, this was the perfect book to ready me for Spring Training.
Recommend for all baseball fans...and people with families.
Recommend for all baseball fans...and people with families.
March 5, 2020
What a powerful story! It usually takes me forever to read a book but this one I couldn't put down. I've never had the privilege of knowing my dad and this story made me feel like I knew what having an amazing one was like. It really touched my heart. I will be honest I got it because I'm a huge fan of Yadi but I am so glad I got it. What an amazing family. Love it :)
August 27, 2021
Best baseball book I’ve ever read. Really one of my favorite reads ever. Though it obviously is about a baseball family, this one transcended baseball. It was an emotionally gripping read about a father, his sons, and family. Many times while reading, I found myself smiling. Not afraid to admit I found myself teary-eyed toward the end. A very moving read, for sure.
May 22, 2017
This is an amazing story and a quick read. Yes it's about baseball but also about a father and his sons. How could three brothers raised in a poor Puerto Rican family all become major league catchers??? Much respect for the Molina family!
June 5, 2020
This is the story of an unlikely baseball dynasty, The Catching Molinas. But it is so much more. It's about family, pride, perseverance. Working hard, setting goals, and reaching them. So many life lessons. Bengie Molina found a wonderful coauthor, and this has become an instant favorite of mine.
May 17, 2021
This is more my kind of baseball book. Being a Cards fan, I love Yadi so I enjoyed hearing this memoir from his brother, Bengie. I think any baseball fan would enjoy this story of a baseball family though - 3 major league catchers, brothers, all winners of World Series. What's not to like?!
July 22, 2025
Fantastic story that was tough to put down throughout. I always knew baseball could teach life lessons, perseverance and importance of family and teamwork, but seeing it through the Molina family in this book made it emotionally clear. Can’t recommend it enough!
May 10, 2017
A nice memoir to a man who put his family and community first, while raising three Major League catchers and impacting the lives of numerous children on the baseball field.
August 18, 2018
Great book about father and son baseball and life. Molina’s dad helped make boys into men
February 18, 2019
Molina is a great read. One acquires a great deal of respect for the father of three major league catchers.
May 23, 2019
Terrific book about an amazing man and family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews