Mauer didn't pick himself to be an All-Star, so I don't get the haters at all. It would have been nice for Willingham as he hasn't been to an All-Star game, but how can people take that out on Joe.... I just don't understand. Mauer is having an outstanding season. Get off his case!

Most people ripping Mauer are devoted to a certain 3-6:30 radio show...

Makes no sense to me. I wonder if the they are prepared to boo and hate until 2018. That sounds exhausting to me.

I do love it when (exhausted from Twit Tweets) I can see so many logical, reasonable and impassioned arguments. Nothing to add but bravo Paul, SRP, kemics, Twinsgrl, and Riverbrian...thanks for the rational discourse.

Part of the problem Mauer has is he's not particularly media-friendly (he doesn't say much, speaks in cliches, and would generally rather just go about his business and be left alone), which opens the door for some twits in the local sports media to a) clock him regularly for perceived flaws in his production, or encourage fans to do the same. (Dan Barreiro, please pick up the white courtesy phone...Dan Barreiro, to the white phone)

 

Coming off a terrible, injury-plagued season where the entire team collapsed, Joe became an easy target of blame for the lazy and uninformed, and so that's why you see crap like this. Mauer's the best catcher in the AL right now, even though he's only played half his games there.

 

Mauer is an all-star. Willingham is having a very nice year, but the competition at OF is a lot tougher. Plouffe's surge probably came a little bit too late, and his start was so awful that you can't object too much to leaving him out.