Article: Twins shut down Mauer for rest of season

[Parker Hageman]

In speaking with the media this afternoon, Twins general manager Terry Ryan announced that the team has decided to shutdown Joe Mauer because of his on-going concussion issue, tweeted FoxSportNorth.com's Tyler Mason.

 

The Twins have just seven games remaining and Mauer has had on-again, off-again symptoms so there is little reason to push the franchise player. Mauer last played on August 19 and will now miss a total of 39 games due to the brain injury.

[ThePuck]

good decision.

[Parker Hageman]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2360-Twins-shut-down-Mauer-for-rest-of-season

[twinsnorth49]

Has he had any recurring symptoms in the last few days? Or was this just a common sense precaution?

 

Last I heard he was working out with no issues.

[JB_Iowa]

It makes sense to me. Can we somehow also stop him from aging?

[LaBombo]

Other than trying to get Gardenhire his 1000th win, I can't possibly imagine what would be gained by letting Mauer play. Any season ticket holder for whom Mauer's season being over is the final straw after a season like this must have a closet full of Mauer jerseys at home.

[LaBombo]

It makes sense to me. Can we somehow also stop him from aging?

The technology to preserve people with freezing has been around for a while now, but the thawing and reactivation tech is still a work in progress. Like the idea, though.

 

If cryo preservation worked, Mauer should have been on ice before the All Star break three years running now. Not sure how Mrs. Joe would feel about that though.

[KGB]

"I think some people take pain in different ways," Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said. "Some people have to play at 100 percent, and Joe may be one of those guys. I've seen it happen. Joe is a good player, and he wants to perform at 100 percent, not at 80 percent.

"Me, I grew up in a different time. I'm ready to play no matter what -- broken toe, hamstring, groin, back -- and that's the mentality I've grown to have."

June 2007

 

Kind of miss the old "Twins Way"

[ThePuck]

You don't want to step into the batters box with a foggy head as 90+ MPH fastballs come zooming at you. Concussions aren't the same as other physical injuries...

 

And it's not like Hunter hasn't missed time due to injury either.

[tcarlic]

"I think some people take pain in different ways," Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said. "Some people have to play at 100 percent, and Joe may be one of those guys. I've seen it happen. Joe is a good player, and he wants to perform at 100 percent, not at 80 percent.

"Me, I grew up in a different time. I'm ready to play no matter what -- broken toe, hamstring, groin, back -- and that's the mentality I've grown to have."

June 2007

 

Kind of miss the old "Twins Way"

 

 

Yet, Hunter is a player who no one will remember in 15 years, whereas Mauer is a potential first ballot hof'er

[beckmt]

This should be good. Do not risk another injury until next year. Will not matter much this year and just takes AB's away from players who need to be evaluated.

[Marta Shearing]

"I think some people take pain in different ways,"

Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said.

"Some people have to play at 100 percent, and Joe may be one of those guys. I've seen it happen. Joe is a good player, and he wants to perform at 100 percent, not at 80 percent.

"Me, I grew up in a different time. I'm ready to play no matter what -- brokentoe, hamstring, groin, back -- and that's the mentality I've grown to have."

June 2007

 

Kind of miss the old "Twins Way"

amen brother

[Jim H]

"I think some people take pain in different ways," Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said. "Some people have to play at 100 percent, and Joe may be one of those guys. I've seen it happen. Joe is a good player, and he wants to perform at 100 percent, not at 80 percent.

"Me, I grew up in a different time. I'm ready to play no matter what -- broken toe, hamstring, groin, back -- and that's the mentality I've grown to have."

June 2007

 

Kind of miss the old "Twins Way"

 

You realize of course that the number of games that Hunter missed was not markedly different than the number of games Mauer missed during their last 5 years together in Minnesota?

[Thrylos]

Seven games It is not like it is July... Let's see Pinto play.

[Guest USAFChief]

Yet, Hunter is a player who no one will remember in 15 years, whereas Mauer is a potential first ballot hof'er

I'll remember Hunter. One of my favorite Twins of all time.

 

That is, if I'm alive in 15 yrs.

[KGB]

Hunter had some injuries: 2005 - Broke ankle and torn ligaments crashing into the wall at Fenway park, 2009 - seperated shoulder crashing into the wall at Dodger Stadium. Mauer missed time in 2007 for stress reaction in fibula and 2011 bilateral leg weakness. Really not much of a comparison on the injuries.

 

And I'll remember Torii Hunter in 15 years. I have a feeling that in 2 years we will be complaining about paying Mauer $23 million for his production at first base, hope that doesn't hurt the HOF love.

[DaveW]

Also for people pining for the old twins ways, how many series in the playoffs did the hunter lead teams win? Just one? I thought it was World Series or bust?

[snepp]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/05/sports/05twins.1.600.jpg

[snepp]

Mark Kotsay approves of my post.

[jm3319]

You don't want to step into the batters box with a foggy head as 90+ MPH fastballs come zooming at you. Concussions aren't the same as other physical injuries...

 

^This.

 

It amazes me how people lump concussions in with every other injury. You can't "tough out" a head injury. It's a whole different beast altogether.

 

Now the real question: Does Souhan just re-run one of his brilliant "Mauer is soft" articles, or will he actually add new content for the newest edition once he catches wind of Mauer being shut down?

[Shane Wahl]

How is no one mentioning the fact that sometimes playing through injuries (and playing at 80%) is sometimes DETRIMENTAL to the team?

[notoriousgod71]

Also for people pining for the old twins ways, how many series in the playoffs did the hunter lead teams win? Just one? I thought it was World Series or bust?

 

He has, however, won infinite amount more postseason games than Mauer has.

[Shane Wahl]

This thread is going to go from bad to way worse in a hurry . . .

[D. Hocking]

How is no one mentioning the fact that sometimes playing through injuries (and playing at 80%) is sometimes DETRIMENTAL to the team?

 

Not that this is the same thing, but I knew a Baltimore fan feel the team would have been better served had Cal Ripken sacrificed his streak and sat out some games, because by the end of the season he was not playing as well as he would have had he been a bit more fresh, and was not at his most effective during the end of the season play-off hunts.

[ThePuck]

He has, however, won infinite amount more postseason games than Mauer has.

 

Yes, Torii Hunter himself won more playoff games than Mauer did by himself...baseball has become tennis...

 

Punto must be better than either of them, and tougher too...HE won a World Series all by himself...

[OldManWinter]

Who said "when Hunter talks about Hunter, he is speaking about his favorite subject"? Whomever, he/she is wise person!

 

Concussions are not the same as Hunters thesore toe.

 

Those who have Mauer penciled as a Twins first baseman, are thinking too far ahead. Think Mourneau or others and the long-term effects of concussions.

[Pius Jefferson]

I understand why even if he's okay to return. There is a part of me that would have liked to seen at least a pinch hit appearance, just to ease any questions about his long term recovery and readiness for Spring Training.

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

I'll remember Hunter. One of my favorite Twins of all time.

 

That is, if I'm alive in 15 yrs.

 

Couldn't agree more--Torii is one of my all-time favorites. I also agree with the post about Cal JR--I firmly believe that Cal's iron man streak cost the Os in the postseason.

[KGB]

Mauer is the team leader and he not a vocal leader, he leads by example. And his example has been, he recovers very slowly from injuries. As the Twins tank another September, 80% of Mauer is better than Parmelee or Colabello. Next year if our C & first options are Mauer, Pinto, Parmelee and Colabello - we better see Pinto behind the plate and Mauer at first base. But it seem to be if Joe want to catch, we'll let him catch. If Gardy want to come back and manage, we'll let him. I'm finding a hard time see where the organization has any desire to win in the dugout or the front office.

 

But lose more games, we'll get a higher draft pick. Just as long as they don't get too excited about hitting a game winner home run - we'll sit him for the next 4 games, not the Twins Way.

[Twins Daily Admin]

Mauer is the team leader and he not a vocal leader, he leads by example. And his example has been, he recovers very slowly from injuries. As the Twins tank another September, 80% of Mauer is better than Parmelee or Colabello. Next year if our C & first options are Mauer, Pinto, Parmelee and Colabello - we better see Pinto behind the plate and Mauer at first base. But it seem to be if Joe want to catch, we'll let him catch. If Gardy want to come back and manage, we'll let him. I'm finding a hard time see where the organization has any desire to win in the dugout or the front office.

 

But lose more games, we'll get a higher draft pick. Just as long as they don't get too excited about hitting a game winner home run - we'll sit him for the next 4 games, not the Twins Way.

 

I sense several frustrations in this Twins Way sentiment. Let me address, I think, 2 separate points you raise....

 

1. Mauer is a slow recoverer and 80% of Mauer is better than.... This isn't a strained hammy. Concussions are different, and we don't need to look very long into the past to see why. Remember when Span came back too early from his concussion and went something like 1 for 32? Either you can see and hit a 90+ mph ball or you can't.

 

I'll also add that Mauer's injuries seem to have been a pretty big deal, thus the slow recovery. If anything, my perception is that he pushes himself too hard to come back early or catch too many games.

 

2. This adds to the evidence that nobody seems to care about winning - I agree with some of the concerns here about Gardy giving his players too much say, and I think you could extend it to Terry Ryan's frugal ways despite ownerships higher budget. But sitting Mauer is just common sense, not apathy. (And the thought that this team is compliant because they want a higher draft pick is a little too cynical for my liking.)

 

Finally, I'll add - I think a Hunter versus Mauer thread would be a great idea is a member wants to start one. This doesn't necessarily seem the place for it.