THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL September 18: Yadier Molina breaks season record for doubles by a catcher

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, not especially known for his bat, hit his 41st double of the season to break the record for doubles by a backstop on this day in béisbol, September 18, 2013.

The Puerto Rico native broke the record set by fellow St. Louis star Ted Simmons in 1978.

Molina was one of three brothers who played in the majors. Older brothers Bengie and Jose were also catchers and the trio were active simultaneously from 2004 to 2010.

But Yadier, widely considered a borderline Hall of Famer, proved to be the best all-around player of the three as he developed into a productive hitter to go with his excellent skills behind the plate.

The nine-time Gold Glover and 10-time all-star would end the 2013 season with 44 doubles and place third on the all-time list for doubles by a catcher with 408. Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez is first with 572 two-baggers.

Also on this day: In 2012, Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera hits two home runs, including a grand slam, and knocks in 6 runs in a 12-2 win Tigers over the Athletics. Cabrera won his first of two MVP awards that year — and a rare triple crown — with 44 HR, 139 RBI and .330.

Photo: Barbara moore, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons; LatinoBaseball.com illustration