Benjamin Hochman Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nos. 4 and 44. One defined one franchise, the other defined another.

Yadier Molina and Paul Goldschmidt – they've actually been teammates five times before, in the midsummer classic. In 2013, they were nestled next to each other in the MVP voting, Yadi third, Paul second (and Andrew McCutchen won, now three teams ago for Pittsburgh). Each have won multiple gold gloves, and for their careers, although Yadi has played many more years, Molina has a 38.9 WAR (wins above replacement), while Goldschmidt is at a very close 40.1.

But Arizona's No. 44 is now St. Louis' No. 46. And the first baseman Goldschmidt spoke candidly about his adoration for the great catcher Molina.

“I'll miss competing against Yadi,” said Goldschmidt, traded to St. Louis earlier this month. “When we would come in here, he was great, the way he calls a game. And the pitchers here. I'll miss it, but I'll enjoy that I don't have to face them. That's the fun part of the game – going out and competing. … There are some world champion players on this team. I’m ready to learn from them and see areas I can improve – and ways I can help and try to carry on the tradition of this organization.”