St Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina make record 325th start as battery

St Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina made their 325th career start together on Wednesday to establish a record for the most by a battery in MLB history. 

The previous record was held by Detroit Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich and catcher Bill Freehan between 1963-75. 

Wainwright and Molina made their first start together on April 6, 2007, with Wainwright throwing seven innings of one-run ball in a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros. 

''A lot has taken place in that time span and that's why I think this record is pretty darn cool,'' St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said before the game. ''I don't see anyone coming close to ever reaching it again.'' 

HISTORY

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina have broken the all-time record for starts as a battery! pic.twitter.com/Dwi5vlsl0Z

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 14, 2022

The closest active pitcher-catcher pair is not even a third of the way to Wainwright and Molina’s mark as the Chicago Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks and Willson Contreras have made 105 starts together. 

Wainwright and Molina are unlikely to add too many more starts to their record as the 40-year-old Molina is planning to retire at the end of the season. 

The 41-year-old Wainwright has yet to decide on if he’ll pitch in 2023.