?'An idol for all of us': Mayorga honored to share stage with Yadi in Caribbean Series
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MIAMI ¨C Jos¨¦ Mayorga wasn¡¯t able to fulfill his dream of playing in the Major Leagues. However, he will be able to reach another goal on Monday, when he¡¯ll share the stage with one of his lifelong baseball idols: Yadier Molina.
The manager of the Federales de Chiriqu¨ª club, which is representing Panama in the 2024 Caribbean Series at loanDepot park, followed Molina¡¯s 19-year career closely as a youngster and Minor Leaguer. Monday evening, Mayorga¡¯s Federales will face the Criollos de Caguas, Puerto Rico¡¯s winter league champion vying for the Caribbean Series title and managed by Molina.
¡°I was a catcher and I think every catcher in the world followed him,¡± said Mayorga, who played in the Phillies' organization from 2010-15, mostly as a backstop, before spending time in the Blue Jays¡¯ system.
¡°I met him once, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯d remember that," he added with a chuckle.
It goes without saying that Mayorga¡¯s main focus Monday will be improving the Panamanian club¡¯s record to 4-0 in the Caribbean Series, vying for the country¡¯s first crown in the tournament since 2019. Molina has guided the Puerto Rican squad to a 3-1 record, and will look to take over first place from Panama in the qualifying round standings.
¡°Great team, excellent manager and an idol for all of us,¡± said Mayorga of Molina and the Criollos. ¡°But we have a tremendous team. It¡¯s a tremendous opportunity to show what Panama¡¯s made of.¡±
Mayorga also knows that he¡¯ll have to put aside his admiration for Molina and concentrate on managing his club. But before first pitch, he¡¯s looking forward to greeting one of his baseball heroes at home plate.
¡°It will be an honor just to exchange the lineup card with him,¡± he said.