ST. LOUIS _ When last Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina made a quick dash to his homeland of Puerto Rico it was to celebrate a raucous run through the World Baseball Classic, spend one more night with the Blond Brigade of Team Puerto Rico, and greet a throng of fans at an impromptu rally.
This time he races home to help.
Later this week, Molina will fly to Puerto Rico and personally deliver relief supplies and funds that he has raised through a GoFundMe account and his foundation to help the island after it was decimated by Hurricane Maria this past month. Millions of U.S. citizens remain without power, food or clean water _ and, for Molina, that includes uncles, aunts, cousins, and dozens of childhood friends.
After the Cardinals' final game, Molina left immediately Sunday for his home in Jupiter, Fla., where he said he will organize and prep whatever he can take to Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, his coastal home, which felt the brutal sweep of Maria's winds and rising water.
"Help my family. Help my neighbors. Help my country. Help Puerto Rico," said Molina on Sunday morning. He said he was feeling better and had cleared lingering concerns about concussion symptoms. "I'm expecting no power, no food, no water. But what I am bringing is whatever I can, whatever I can to help."
By season's end, the GoFundMe account started by Molina and his wife, Wanda, had raised nearly $140,000. Several teammates, including Tommy Pham and Kolten Wong, had personally donated money directly to Molina. Molina's foundation had also raised funds to purpose needed supplies.
Molina declined to discuss any of President Trump's Tweets, his caustic comments about Puerto Rico officials, or the political friction that has tainted recovery efforts on his home island.
"No politics," he said. "Just work. Just help."
