cardinal nation

today's not about crockpots or crochet hooks or knitting needles - it's about a very happy girl and what made her that way.

this is how i felt when i heard the news

after that horrible day earlier this year when my beloved albert pujols saw fit to move on to other things and leave behind the team and city that have loved him since no one knew who he was, i am so, so relieved to see yadier molina staying around for at least five more years! here's the article that made my heart swell up real big like the grinch in the end of that movie - i didn't ruin that for anyone, did i? a great big thanks to yadi, melvin roman, john mozeliak, and everyone else involved for not breaking my heart for a second time this off-season. i must admit, i wasn't always a yadi-lover like i am now. i tended to get quite frustrated with him when he was a younger player, but after he pulled it out for us in the series in '06, he has had my heart, and i could not be happier that i don't have to take it back! (*ahem* albert, this could have been written about you.)

my two favorite parts of the story are quotes from cards gm john mozeliak and from yadi himself:

"I really admire what Yadi was willing to do. You certainly don't know what the free-agent market might have looked like for him. His willingness to really want to be here and stay here really says a lot about his commitment to the organization." - john mozeliak

 "I was still thinking [about] it [being] a business, but my idea was to stay here. My commitment was to stay here with the organization. It's everything. I grew up here [as a player]. I feel good here. It was my first choice to stay here, and I'm glad we got it done." - yadier molina

thanks, #4, for reminding me that loyalty still matters to some people, and thanks, john mozeliak, for appreciating what you have.

i love my team. i love its fans. i love when it all falls into place.

mike matheny, this year is going to rock. you hear me? go cards!

♥ whit

photo of yadi from http://buenojoe.com/2011/06/senor-yad/