Final Week Of The Mauer Era? Let's Enjoy It

Unfortunately, the massive contract it took to keep him coupled with his concussion issues moved him off of the position at which the contract held value to a more marginal position. The contract coupled with the stinginess of ownership was never able to surround Mauer with sufficient talent to create a contender.

I hope he retires and enjoys life. It's doubtful he needs the money, and he certainly doesn't need to land hard diving for a ball and end up with more concussion symptoms. Whether he announces it now or later is, I am sure, a deeply personal matter. As for his contract? He earned every penny of it. The Twins competitive issues were never related to Joe Mauers contract. They were the result of an ownership, and a FO, that was more interested in bottom line success than with the teams position in the standings.

I love Joe Mauer, but I am of the opinion that it's time to move on. As much as I have loved watching him play, I believe his name adds more value than his production at this point. He has great numbers w/RISP, but if you really stop and look at his total numbers, he hasn't been that good since April. 

With an fWAR that won't exceed 1.0 and a wRC+ of 95 at a replaceable position, it's probably time to face reality.

I'm as sad as you are, but there comes a time where you need to move forward. That time may have come.

I don't think its a coincidence that Mauer did much better when he had a star supporting cast; primarily Justin Morneau along with Torii Hunter and maybe others. He obviously was not comfortable carrying the "star" load by himself. I still consider him an underachiever who relied totally on his natural ability. He had/has no desire to be a team leader and basically showed up for work. To Mauer, baseball literally was/is a "walk" in the park. (pun intended).

I don't think its a coincidence that Mauer did much better when he had a star supporting cast; primarily Justin Morneau along with Torii Hunter and maybe others. He obviously was not comfortable carrying the "star" load by himself. I still consider him an underachiever who relied totally on his natural ability. He had/has no desire to be a team leader and basically showed up for work. To Mauer, baseball literally was/is a "walk" in the park. (pun intended).

This could literally be said about every single "great" player because that's how baseball works. If you're the only good hitter on the team then pitchers on other teams are going to pitch around you by throwing you junk or just straight up walking you.

I don't think its a coincidence that Mauer did much better when he had a star supporting cast; primarily Justin Morneau along with Torii Hunter and maybe others. He obviously was not comfortable carrying the "star" load by himself. I still consider him an underachiever who relied totally on his natural ability. He had/has no desire to be a team leader and basically showed up for work. To Mauer, baseball literally was/is a "walk" in the park. (pun intended).

He did better when he had a supporting cast because he hadn't had a brain injury yet at that point. I suppose having stars around him helped his counting stats somewhat, but they aren't what made him a three time batting champion.

I would like to add one thing. If one thinks that the Twins IF defense has some question marks now, see Polanco, Jorge, think what it will look like next year if MOY persists in his belief that Polanco is an MLB SS, and Mauer isn't their to retrieve 99% of those half hops he tosses over to first?

I am going to celebrate Joe Mauer this week, whether he chooses to retire this season or not. He is a superb baseball player, a class act, an involved family man, and from all accounts, a good man. All of us should all be so lucky as to have that said about us when our time to "retire" comes. When he does retire from actively playing, I hope he remains part of the Twins family for a long time. Thanks for the memories, Joe, and best wishes for a long, healthy life.

This is my theory: he knows what hes going to do, which I think is retire. He will tell Molitor before the last series (but probably not teammates). When (not if), he gets on base on 9/30, he is pulled for a pinch runner (like VMart). He gets a standing O.

Mauer doesnt want a big farewell tour or big fanfare, but he understands that the fans want their chance to say goodbye and thanks. 

Or I could be 100% wrong. who knows. 

I selfishly am hoping he returns for at least one more year.      I fell this may be a "don't know what you got, 'til it's gone situation".       Don't feel I've fully appreciated Joe Mauer's career until very recently.       I was always more of a Morneau, Span, Johan, Thome kind of fan.   Joe was just always...there.      Steady.        Not flashy.      Taking walks.      Hitting doubles instead of dingers.

My gut is telling me this is it.

Whenever it happens, I will be sad.

I don't want him to quit. I would however like to see him back here in a bench role. I think he still adds value to the team and I feel he has another good season or 2 in him. I think the deciding factor for him will be, does this team have a chance to win? He's looking at it now and seeing there is a pretty good chance the Twins are in it for another rebuild. If that's the case, he could and should retire. If management lets him know they are actually going to go out and do some wheeling and dealing to make a run at it, I could see him sticking around. 

Count me among those who want to see Joe back for another year.  Hopefully, if he does decide this is it, he lets management know by the end of the World Series so they can plan accordingly for 2019.  

Whatever happens, I will be joining Seth and others watching this week of baseball and Joe.  Hopefully, the Twins close it out with a couple series wins!

I'm going to write the final act for Joe Mauer.  

1. Joe signs for one more year and says he'll retire at the end of 2019

2. Joe plays some back up at 1B, DH and pinch hitter

3. Joe pinch hits in game 7 of the World Series next year and drives in the winning run.

Fun to think about...

I'm going to write the final act for Joe Mauer.  

 

1. Joe signs for one more year and says he'll retire at the end of 2019

2. Joe plays some back up at 1B, DH and pinch hitter

3. Joe pinch hits in game 7 of the World Series next year and drives in the winning run.

 

Fun to think about...

For what team ? 

For what team ?

 

For the team he is playing for, of course.

Good on ya, Joe Mauer.

I'm bringing my 1 year old son to the final game of the season this Sunday. If Mauer decides to retire, I want to tell my son that the first baseball game he attended was Joe Mauer's last. 

I'm bringing my 1 year old son to the final game of the season this Sunday. If Mauer decides to retire, I want to tell my son that the first baseball game he attended was Joe Mauer's last. 

Many years ago my son and I were at Twins spring training.  Went to two games.  We saw Kirby Puckett play during the first game.  The next day he was in the lineup, then shortly before the game he was scratched.  Little did anyone know that one of the greatest and most likeable Twins of all time would never again step on the field. 

Is Sunday Joe's last game?

I surely hope Joe doesn't drag this out although it would be fairly typical of him.  Seems to me like this is a simple decision.  Here is a player who is clearly well past his prime and has told the media that he felt the after affects of a concussion for THREE YEARS.  Then he needed several weeks on the shelf again this year for a concussion.

The Twins owe Joe Mauer nothing.  They made him rich, gave him the benefit of the doubt whenever necessary and praised him (even during times where it was not deserved).  If Joe drags this out past Thanksgiving and his decision still isn't made by the time we approach winter meeting, I have a problem with that.  We need to build a roster.  Mauer has had all year to think this one through and there is no reason to be all wishy washy about it.  If he is, and this drags out for a long period of time during the offeason, he is doing the Twins a disservice.  I hope to heck he understands that although I have my doubls.  Joe just kind of does Joe.  

And that is that.