A private aircraft that was scheduled to pick up former MLB star Yadier Molina and his family crashed in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, killing both pilots and turning what should have been a routine travel day into a tragedy.
Dominican aviation authorities told The Guardian that the aircraft went down near the coastal city of La Romana after the crew reported an emergency shortly after takeoff. The pilot and co-pilot, both U.S. citizens, were attempting an emergency landing when the plane crashed and caught fire. Cellphone footage of the incident quickly spread across social media. No passengers were aboard the aircraft at the time.
Molina later revealed that the plane had been traveling to Texas to collect him, along with relatives and friends. The group was ultimately spared from boarding because the aircraft never completed its journey.
In a message posted online, the former catcher expressed sympathy for the crew, writing, “My condolences to the pilots and their family!”
Authorities said the aircraft had originated in Puerto Rico before stopping in the Dominican Republic for refueling. After departing again, the crew reported trouble and attempted to return safely to the ground. Investigators have not yet announced the cause of the emergency, and officials said the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under review.
The longtime St. Louis Cardinals star spent all 19 seasons of his MLB career with the organization, building a résumé that includes 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Gloves, four Platinum Gloves, and two World Series championships.
He also became known as one of the game’s premier defensive catchers, earning praise for his leadership behind the plate and his work managing pitching staffs.
Molina’s impact extends well beyond Major League Baseball. A proud representative of Puerto Rico, he appeared in multiple editions of the World Baseball Classic and later transitioned into managing and coaching roles after retiring from playing in 2022.
Most recently, he guided Team Puerto Rico during international competition while also serving in a leadership capacity with the Cardinals organization.
