While Joe Mauer’s goodbye at Target Field on Sunday might only be temporary, it’s being billed as one of the best moments in Minnesota sports history.
Now catching for the Minnesota @Twins, #7, JOE MAUER pic.twitter.com/gg9FDKVevX
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) September 30, 2018
The hometown hero crouched behind home plate and caught one pitch in the ninth inning before exiting to a standing ovation. It was one pitch to remind us all of how great Mauer was behind the dish before concussions forced him to quit catching five years ago.
As a catcher, from 2003-2013, Mauer was a six-time All-Star, three-time batting champion and the American League MVP in 2009. He played 897 games at catcher compared to 593 at first base and 310 as the designated hitter.
It was during his days as a catcher when he bat was most dangerous, and it’s not even close to what he did at first base or DH.
- C: .328/.408/.481, 91 HR, 514 RBI, 221 2B, 478 BB, 416 SO, 1,118 H
- 1B: .279/.357/.394, 38 HR, 258 RBI, 135 2B, 277 BB, 390 SO, 641 H
- DH: .301/.390/.407, 12 HR, 141 RBI, 70 2B, 172 BB, 214 SO, 349 H
Reaction to Mauer’s magical Sunday at the ballpark have brought his supporters out in bunches. And let’s be honest: it’s a refreshing change from the constant Mauer bashing Twins fans have listened to for the past eight years, ever since Mauer inked a $184 million contract extension.
A fun fact though is that Mauer made just $34 million over the first seven years of his career. You know, that time when he won three batting titles and took home an MVP award all while putting three Gold Gloves in his trophy case.
Simply put, Mauer was a beast the first half of his career. Fans can complain until they turn blue about Mauer not living up to $23 million guaranteed each of the last eight seasons, but Mauer was paid for what he’d done with hopes that he’d hit that way the rest of his career.
It didn’t work out the way a lot of fans wanted it to, but it’s good to see that there’s still a very large percentage of fans who appreciate what Mauer has done for baseball in Minnesota.
Joe Mauer is catching the ninth inning right now … he is definitely retiring. God speed Mauer. For most of his career he was not only the best catcher in the A.L. but he was also the best quarterback in Minnesota. #Twins
— Deke Zucker (@Barstool_Quotes) September 30, 2018
I’ve had the pleasure of playing aside Joe Mauer. The man was born to play baseball and today was the greatest moment I’ve ever seen in sport #JM7 pic.twitter.com/07FALK54kX
— GarvSauce (@MitchGarver) October 1, 2018
This is incredible, Joe Mauer comes in for one pitch at catcher and leaves to a standing ovation…There are people sobbing in the stands. Very cool.
— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) September 30, 2018
Being there for Joe Mauer's (likely) final game solidified to me how misguided his "haters" have been and made me regret how much time I've wasted attempting to reason with people who just want to be angry. If you can't appreciate Mauer, the player and the person, that's on you.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) October 1, 2018
The Twins really couldn't have orchestrated that moment any better to pay tribute to everything Joe Mauer has meant to this franchise.
— Mike Bates (@MikeBatesTWIBH) September 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kaseylace/status/1046608029637115904
It was hard enough watching Jeter retire. Then i see that David Wright is hanging it and that got me, but to see Joe Mauer catch in what could be his last game legit has me crying 😭😭😭
— Tim 🌵🏴☠️ (@timhays22) October 1, 2018
Took a break from crying about Joe Mauer but now I’m crying about Joe Mauer again, dammit.
(Sniffle out— as opposed to a shout out— to others in the same boat.)
— Laurel Krahn (@wintwins) October 1, 2018
Just now hearing Provus during the "Moment".
"The challenging thing about radio is that our job is to put into words what we see. Right now, that is a challenge. Joe Mauer is catching. Joe Mauer is crying. Joe Mauer is the only baseball player on the field."
— Wild Twin Viking (@wildtwinviking) September 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kwips3/status/1046524635335012353
