Call to the pen
Fansided

Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer’s exit one of many this season

By Benjamin Chase

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins looks on after the game against the Chicago White Sox on September 30, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins looks on after the game against the Chicago White Sox on September 30, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Twins
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Mauuer #7 of the Minnesota Twins acknowledges the fans as walks onto the field to catch at the start of the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox during the game on September 30, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

A potential Hall of Famer

He’s only 35. Defensively, he’s been one of the best first basemen in the league the last two seasons. However, the time may have come for Joe Mauer to step away from baseball.

The former #1 overall pick out of high school in the Twin Cities area, Mauer has been able to play his entire 15-year career with his hometown squad, something definitely rare in this era. He’ll retire as one of the best players in the history of the organization, ranking in the top five in Twins organization history in batting average, runs, hits, doubles, RBI, and on base.

However, since becoming a dad, fittingly to twins, Mauer has had his mind on more than just the game. It helped push his move off of the catcher position after multiple issues with concussions. Once his little girls burst out pre-game in order to hug their daddy, it was pretty obvious that a decision might have been made already, but we just haven’t been privy to it…yet.

Then came the 9th inning.

Mauer came out of the dugout in full catcher’s gear to receive the pitch from Matt Belisle, who very possibly pitched in his last MLB game on Sunday. Mauer acknowledged the thunderous applause from Minnesota Twins fans, acknowledged the opponent dugout for allowing the moment to happen, and then received the first pitch from Belisle.

He caught the ball and then ran out to the mound, immediately embracing Belisle. Mauer was then removed to even more applause from the grateful hometown Minnesota Twins fans. It was a fitting tribute to a player who, in this author’s opinion, should be making his next emotional baseball moment at Cooperstown.

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