Minnesota Twins: the incredible career of Joe Mauer — a tribute

After all the tears and well-deserved ovations during the Minnesota Twins’ season finale, it’s time to reflect on the greatness that is Joe Mauer, and the ride Twins Territory got to be a part of.

On September 30th, 2018, Minnesota Twins fans may have said goodbye to longtime catcher and first baseman Joe Mauer. There have been rumors swirling that Mauer will retire after the season concluded, and during the last game of the year, the hometown kid and fan favorite put on his catching gear for the first time in five years.

It was a day filled with cheers, tears, and everything in between. At the start of the last Twins game, Joe Mauer trotted out to first base as he always does, but this time his daughters came out to celebrate with him.

So if this was Mauer’s last game, what legacy will he leave behind? Besides being one of the, if not the most, beloved Twin of all time, Mauer has plenty of records and memories, including becoming the Twins’ all-time leader in reaching base to his name.

Excluding Washington Senators records, Mauer holds the record for doubles hit in a Twins uniform with an astounding 428 doubles. Not to mention that, to this day, Mauer is the only catcher in the history of MLB to win the American League MVP Award, earning the title in his magical 2009 season where he hit a .365 batting average, a career-high 28 home runs, and 96 RBI.

Mauer’s mantle is decorated with many different titles along with that MVP Award. In that 2009 season alone, Mauer would earn his second Gold Glove and his third Silver Slugger.

Mauer is still one of the most decorated catchers in the history of baseball, with the MVP, a six-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner, five-time Silver Slugger, and he held the AL Batting Title three times.

And on top of all of that, Mauer has the record for the most times on base in Twins history, as well.

But the awards don’t make the man in this case, but the memories Joe provided to Twins Territory will live on forever. Who among Twins fans will ever forget when Joe hit his 2000th career hit, all of which came in a Twins uniform or his first career walk-off home run?

Not to mention that Joe Mauer has had some of the most iconic television commercials for Kemps Ice Cream, and everyone used to want to have the Joe Mauer sideburns.

Whatever your favorite Joe Mauer memory may be, Joe Mauer is synonymous with the Minnesota Twins. His career achievements and his generosity off the field are what made him a Twins legend.

For every memory that you have ever given to us Joe, thank you. Thank you for making baseball in Minnesota amazing to watch, and thank you for everything you’ve done for Twins Territory.