Molina by Bengie Molina and Joan Ryan

Bengie Molina, holds two World Championship rings and two Gold Glove Awards, but his Major League accomplishments are the sub-story in Molina. It's a moving tribute to Bengie's father, written by Bengie Molina and award-winning writer Joan Ryan.

I picked up this book knowing it was about Benjamin Molina, father of three brothers who have won World Series rings as catchers. But, still I was expecting mostly a baseball story about the Molina dynasty in Major League Baseball. I was immediately proven wrong reading the prologue. Molina is much more than a baseball story; it shares a bigger story of Bengie's relationship with his father, Benjamin. Baseball is simply the vehicle for the story of Benjamin Molina's life.

The love for baseball in Puerto Rico is intense and runs quite deep. It's not surprising that the Molina brothers played baseball. However, it is incredible that all three played arguably the most difficult position on the team. And, they did it so well. The three Molinas have won a total of six World Series rings and 9 Gold Gloves so far. Yadier Molina still plays for the St. Louis Cardinals (my team!). Benjamin's wisdom and love guided the brothers even after their ascent to the Major Leagues.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. Baseball's baseball. Same in Dallas as Dorado. Ball's no bigger or smaller. They still have to throw it over the plate for a strike" - Benjamin Molina

Benjamin raised his boys to be seemingly humble even with the huge successes they've experienced. And, he wanted to be sure his boys passed on the importance of family to their own children.

Bengie understood that and wanted his father to know that he was the reason Bengie was playing in the Majors. Benjamin's guidance went beyond physical coaching to being a source emotional support. Bengie writes, "I wanted to make sure he knew that I didn't think for one second I had done this on my own."

Molina is a very accessible book. It would be enjoyable not only for baseball fans, but for anyone who enjoys a good family story. The clear, concise writing tells a heartwarming story. It's so well written, that I'm anxious to pick up one of Ryan's previous book called Little Girls in Pretty Boxes, named one the top 100 sports books of all time by Sports Illustrated.

Molina was published by Simon & Schuster in May 2015. It's available on Amazon in both hardcover ($19.05) and Kindle ($12.99) editions.

Rating: 5/5

Up Next: Bettyville by George Hodgman; selections from Let Me Tell You by Shirley Jackson