Yeah, I don't know what the deal is anymore...it's too bad he got hurt in like his third MLB game ever...He hasn't been the same since.
Still is a great player though. His career could be a lot like Mickey Mantle or Tony Olivia...Great players that could have been ever greater without injuries to their legs.
The only guy in the league making more than him is A-Rod so maybe you need to adjust your expectations up if money is going to be the metric. They're paying him a ton of money and the fact is he may not earn it all with his play going forward, but most of those guys never do. I can't imagine what the reaction would have been if they'd have let him go to New York or Boston instead of resigning him.
I know some people get worked up about the money, but through the 2010 season he's earned $133 million with his play and been paid $34 million.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx...857&position=C
I'm not related to him. Not that that matters. I'm just sick of people who think that they know something about baseball and say they're Twins fans shitting all over their best player.
He's not merely 'above-average.' He's great. In 2008 and 2009 he was the best position player in the American League. I'll repeat it again. No Cather has ever won more than one batting title. Joe has 3 at the age of 27. In 2009 he led the AL in batting, slugging, and on base percentage. The last person to do that was Yaz, 40 years ago. The only others to do it: Frank Robinson, Ted Williams, Jimmie Fox, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, George Stone, and Nap Lajoie. None of them were catchers. All but Cobb and Williams were older than Mauer. All of them but Stone are in the hall.
In the last decade, Mauer has the 3 best statistical seasons for a catcher. In 2006 he exceeded the performance of the 2nd best catcher by 52% (Posada), in 2009 93% (VMart), in 2008 112% (Soto).
http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/6302
He's been great.
Last edited by bisonaudit; 10-30-2015 at 03:58 PM.
I have the honor to be Your Obedient Servant - B.Aud
We all live in stories... It seems to me that a definition of any living vibrant society is that you constantly question those stories... The argument itself is freedom. It's not that you come to a conclusion about it. Through that argument you change your mind sometimes... That's how societies grow. When you can't retell for yourself the stories of your life then you live in a prison... Somebody else controls the story. - S. Rushdie
mauer has fizzled since his season of 28 homeruns.
Trust me, I know plenty about baseball...
I've been a huge Twins fan for 25 years and have attended over 200 games, all while living in ND and western Minnesota. Who are you to claim I am not a fan? You don't even know me.
Just because he is from Minnesota and has had some great years doesn't mean he has to be treated with kid gloves. He is not immune to criticism.
BTW - Mauer is #5, not #2.
http://content.usatoday.com/sportsda.../player/top-25
Of course he's not immune from criticism. Neither are you. Neither am I.
I just don't think he deserves much of the criticism that he recieves.
I don't care where he was born. Did I ever mention that once?
I think he's a great player and has a chance to be a historically great player and I just get tired of people who appear not a appreciate what they have.
It's baseball. It's 162 games. We're two weeks in and he's not played up to his own high standard to this point. But we're two weeks into a six month season, given what he's done over the last 5 years, lets not get hysterical about the last 2 weeks.
I have the honor to be Your Obedient Servant - B.Aud
We all live in stories... It seems to me that a definition of any living vibrant society is that you constantly question those stories... The argument itself is freedom. It's not that you come to a conclusion about it. Through that argument you change your mind sometimes... That's how societies grow. When you can't retell for yourself the stories of your life then you live in a prison... Somebody else controls the story. - S. Rushdie
I am not sure how much evidence you need to make the move from catching.
I stand by my earlier comment, even more so now that he is on the 15 day DL. I don't care that he is getting paid huge money, and whether he is earning it or not. I care about putting the Twins in the best position to win a championship
I want Joe's bat in the lineup as much possible more than I want Joe sitting behind the dish calling games. I'll take a healthy Mauer playing 3rd / OF with his bat in the line-up for 140-150 games per year, versus the not-getting any younger, bad legs Mauer insisting on being a catcher for 119.5 games per year (his average # of games per year from 2004-2010).
The Twins have played 12 games, with Joe missing 3 of them. Now he is on the 15 day DL retroactive to April 13, so he could miss 12 more games until he is off the DL. This could turn into a disaster season for Joe if he keeps on catching -- he is not doing his legs any favors by squatting up and down 150 time per game.
My Mom yells louder than your Mom.
I definetly appreciate what we have with Mauer. He could be one of the greatest hitters ever, but I don't think it will happen if he keeps on catching. Hence, my advocacy for him being in a different position. How many catchers stay productive at the plate past the age of 30?
My Mom yells louder than your Mom.
Fair enough...
I was never putting words in your mouth btw...I was just pointing out that a lot of people feel that because he is homegrown, he can't be criticized.
I'll say it one more time, I love Joe Mauer....I'm happy the Twins have him...However, something is not right. Maybe this new diagnosis explains it. I did some research on bi-lateral leg weakness and it could be nothing or it could be something really serious...I hope he comes back and starts ripping liners over the shortstops head.