Hometown Boys Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins Prove They’re All-Star’s

While the Twins continue to struggle this season there is a small light at the end of the tunnel because catcher Joe Mauer and closer Glen Perkins were voted into the 2013 American League All-Star Team on Saturday.

Mauer was voted in as the AL’s starting catcher for the 4th time in his career and it is his 6th All-Star selection overall. This season Mauer is hitting an impressive .314, 25 doubles and 30 RBI’s this season. He also leads the AL catchers in batting average, on-base percentage and on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

Perkins took over as the closer last summer and finished the year with 16 saves and a 2.56 ERA. But this year he has taken off with a bang. He has 20 saves and a 1.93 ERA this season converting 20 of 22 save opportunities while posting a 1.93 ERA. His also has 0.79 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched.)

“When I go out there and pitch, it’s about the numbers and that stuff but it’s also about respecting the other team and the game,” Perkins said. “Having (Detroit manager) Jim Leyland managing the team is quite an honor. I’ve played against him for a long time. I know he chose me for the team, so I will be happy to thank him.”

Mauer and Perkins both St. Paul natives are also making history with this All-Star appearance, this will be the first time that two Twins players with local ties are on the same All-Star team, both men are 30-year-olds who were born in St. Paul and faced each other as Little Leaguers. “Good story,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Two Minnesota kids.”

Mauer says of Perkins, “It’s awesome, everyone agrees that he is well-deserving, I’m very proud for him and we are going to have a lot of fun. It’s been really nice to see Glen to evolve into one of the best back end guys. Everyone in here knew he was one of the best bullpen guys and now everybody knows.

“It’s more fun when you have a teammate to share it with. I’ve always said as long as they keep having me I would love to go. It’s great, it’s exciting it and an honor. To bring a teammate for his first time, it’s a lot of fun.”

The All-Star Game will be on Tuesday, July 17th at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets.