When Yadi comes to town, Springfield Cardinals get steak, lobster and lessons

When a big leaguer comes to Springfield, the Cardinals are excited to learn — and also about what is for dinner.

It has become a tradition in the Cardinals clubhouse: The St. Louis Cardinals major leaguers — who are making millions of dollars at the highest level — treat the Double-A players during their rehab stints.

Whether it's Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, Carlos Martinez or others who make their way through Hammons Field throughout the season, the minor leaguers know they're going to be treated well.

Molina on the Menu

Molina recently treated the Cardinals to a steak and lobster dinner from Metropolitan Grill, the restaurant confirmed to the News-Leader.

The restaurant — located on 2931 E. Battlefield Road — catered steak, lobster, smoked gouda mash and asparagus to Hammons Field.

Metropolitan Grill features the "Molina" on its menu, which is a seasoned tenderloin filet topped with bearnaise crab cake, served on smoked salmon and prosciutto mac and cheese on a spicy garlic sauce plate.

Kayla Duran, the restaurant's banquet coordinator, told the News-Leader that Molina often visits the restaurant and even had a party there a few years ago.

Adam Wainwright praises City Butcher after Springfield Cardinals appearance St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright shares his love for City Butcher after Springfield rehab appearance.

Wainwright — the Cardinals pitcher — treated the team to City Butcher when he made a rehab appearance in Springfield in early May.

Others who come in have paid off the players' dues (laundry, takeout requests, etc.)

Why do they do it? According to a few players who worked closely with Molina during his recent rehab appearance, it's because the major leaguers know what it was like playing at the lower levels.

They also want to give players a taste of what it's like to be a pro.

"Oh yeah, they treat us well," pitcher Matt Pearce said.

Pearce pitched four innings and only allowed three hits in a start with Molina behind the plate.

Aside from his excitement for whatever is on the post-game menu, the pitcher looks forward to learning from whoever is there.

Learning from a major leaguer

"They've been playing baseball for as long as we've been alive," Pearce said. "When those guys come into town, it's awesome to be able to pick their brain because they know everything about the game."

As for the other starting pitcher during Molina's recent visit, he's used to being around and learning from big-leaguers.

Anthony Shew is the cousin of Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ian Kennedy — who has been in the MLB since 2007.

Shew learned his cousin's change-up from a baseball card and remembered always being a fan of whatever team Kennedy was on because he enjoyed receiving the free gear.

The pitcher wasn't in Springfield for Wainwright's City Butcher spread, but he liked the filet mignon that came with the player he considers to be "the best catcher of all-time."

"That was really awesome," Shew said with a sigh, seemingly daydreaming about the steak he had eaten over a week before.

Shew said he enjoyed the conversations he had with Molina during and after the game. He finished with one of his best outings of the season while going seven innings and allowing five hits, allowing two runs and striking out four.

While it usually takes some time to establish chemistry with a catcher, Shew said he and Molina were on the same page after an inning and a half.

"Obviously the guy is going to have a great feel for the game, but it was pretty amazing," Shew said. "It was surreal, honestly, to have conversations with the greatest catcher ever."

WATCH: Wild triple play in the ninth clinches Springfield Cardinals win *eyes emoji*

The latest on the Springfield Cardinals

Before Wednesday night's game, the Cardinals were a game behind both Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas atop the Texas League standings.

The Cardinals had a rough stretch starting at the end of their road trip at Northwest Arkansas. Springfield dropped four straight games — including three to Tulsa.

Springfield got back to its winning ways with a 3-1 win over Tulsa at Hammons Field on Tuesday night.

Pitcher Connor Jones took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. He is now 4-2 on the season.

Outfielder Victor Roache is leading the team with 15 home runs on the season.

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