We Are All Witnesses, Right?

Joe Mauer, 35 years-old and expecting another addition to his family, could be on a collision course to his eventual retirement following the final pitch of the year. As of August 23, the pride of St. Paul, MN has 17 more scheduled home games in front of him. In the final year of the mega-contract that he so deservedly signed, we are only guaranteed the schedule as it currently reads.

Today, Twins PR director tweeted out some factoids relating to Mauer and his place in Twins history. Against the Oakland Athletics (either this evening or over the weekend), Joe will both tie and surpass Rodney Cline Carew on the All-Time Minnesota hit list. After leaping beyond the 2,085 hits necessary for that honor, he’ll be staring up at only Kirby Puckett. Having scored at least 60 runs in every season dating back to 2011, it’s a good bet that Mauer reaches that plateau this season as well. Although that number won’t vault him over the competition, it would position him to top the list should he come back in 2019.

That’s where my wheels really started to begin turning. We are all witnesses to this greatness, aren’t we? Joe Mauer will go down as arguably the greatest player to ever wear a Twins uniform not-named Harmon Killebrew. He’s been a figurehead of this team and organization since his debut in 2004, and really since being selected as the first overall pick in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. This is a player that graces a franchise only once in a generation, and the lasting impact is felt forever.

As someone who’s been a significant advocate of Mauer being superimposed over Puckett, I can cede where that may be up for debate. To the detractors pointing out a contract that was paid to a catcher in the same vein as Bench, and one that had yet to experience career altering brain injuries, I can only wish you peace. Not only are you wrong on his warranted and applied value to the organization, you’ve also debated a meaningless topic to the point of missing out on someone you’ll likely never again see replicated.

It’s more than fair to note that Joe has never been flashy and suggesting him as a poster boy for “Minnesota Nice” should never draw ire. Those factors should not deter those within Twins Territory from appreciating his ability either. Major League Baseball has long done a poor job of marketing even their brightest stars, and the more private professionals don’t help to fuel that fire either. Being who he is has never stopped Mauer’s production, and it’s worked well for guys like Mike Trout and Jim Thome as well.

When the dust settles here, no matter where you stand on his statistical or analytical merits, the last the standing will be the tough reality that it’s finished. My hope is that Joe decides he’s got another year or two in him. The Gold Glove caliber defense at first base has significant value, and his profile still fits perfectly well in the leadoff spot of a Twins lineup that should rebound nicely next season. My fear however and given some of the hints you may have picked up on as well, is that this is truly it. We are nearing the point that it’s over.

Should we cross the finish line on September 30th and leave the gates at Target Field with that being the last time, none of the accolades will matter in that moment. It will be a time of thanks, remembrance, and reflection of what just took place over those 15 great years. As with all things in life, we don’t know what time is left, and if we truly are all witnesses, embarking upon the final month could be upon us.