Molina

The Story of the Father Who Raised an Unlikely Baseball Dynasty

By: Bengie Molina, Joan Ryan

Narrated by: Henry Leyva

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 between 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.

©2015 Bengie Molina. Recorded by arrangement with Simon & Schuster, Inc. (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Great listen. Never knew this about the Molina's!

What a great teacher tool for Fathers'!
Would def recommend. Great for players of all sports too. Will listen again.

Wow ❤️❤️❤️beautiful book

Loved this book. It was such a good listen . The Molina family is such a beautiful family . Their father was what every father should aspire to be. A mentor who teaches core values . Gives roots then wings to his children . No wonder there was so much success in that family

All out - All the time.

THIS is an amazing book!
And some of it was hard listening toward the beginning - the parenting culture shook me a bit. But the reverent Clemente Clemente Clemente speak was cheerful enough to still have me now randomly saying “Clemente” out loud around the house.
What comes around in this family is beautiful. The journey and the story told are beautiful. This is truly about life. So many live baseball lives and have been the foundation of what we eventually see on the field, at the yard or on our screens, yet have never seen the show for themselves. But if any of these unknown mentors hadn’t been around, so many would’ve missed out. Yadi said it best “it’s a God thing”.

Great story about a family who loved baseball

I purchased "Molina" after having read lots of positive reviews. I didn't know how much baseball would actually be discussed in the book, but I knew there was a main focus on Benjamin Molina, the father of the Molina brothers. It turns out I didn't have to relate personally with the same experiences, because the book is written that well, and performed as good as can be.

The story of Bengie Molina is movie material. Growing up in a lower income environment, family values, struggling acceptance in baseball with success by younger siblings, ultimately achieving his dreams, and a father who was there for it all along the way.

It was difficult to press pause while listening because it was that good. Some books there are ideal stopping points for the night, but Molina was one a book that made it difficult to not listen straight through. This is one of the more difficult reviews for me to write, because (cliche coming) I can't put it in words - all I know is the emotion I felt while listening to the author tell his story of playing baseball and the anecdotes of his father. The family relationship was what made the book so appealing; the baseball is the selling point because of the celebrity status and success, but the family aspect is what the book is about. Whether or not you know that before reading or listening, its impact is felt throughout the memoir.

This is a book I also purchased the soft cover of because I want to read it and see if there is as much an emotional reaction as there is listening to the audiobook. Good sports book but great family book.

Great book

Great read for Baseball enthusiasts and people who love the game. The book relates to life and bust becoming men

Amazing book

One of the best books I listen to in the whole world. The book is like the back story of a Baseball dainisty.

Amazing story! Amazing men! Must read!

This book is pure inspiration to be a better father, coach, and man. Thank you for sharing your story.

Excellent tribute to a father, baseball and family

A very touching story of Bengie's path, and most importantly, the legacy of his father. The story moves briskly with many touching moments that anyone who has played ball with a father can relate to.

Love the Molinas

Being a born and raised Cardinals fan, I am a big Yadier Molina fan but did not know much about his family. I love them even more now! I learned about the path baseball players, specifically those from Puerto Rico, take to success in the majors. I also have even more appreciation for catchers than I did before! This book is ultimately about family and sacrifice. It will definitely pull at your heart strings! A fantastic tribute to a wonderful father. Enjoy each moment!

Great Story!

Wow! This book kept my attention from beginning to end. Laughter, Surprises, Tears and "Are you kidding me?!" moments. Oh man, you just gotta listen to this one. It touched me, like a winning run approaching home plate. #WalkOff