Joe Mauer , the 26 year old catcher for the Minnesota Twins baseball team made the decision to stay here in Minnesota, where he was born and raised, when he signed a contract on Mar. 21,2010 to play for the Minnesota Twins for $23 million a year for the another 8 years. This is reportedly the richest contract in the history of major league baseball for a catcher. If any player deserves such a high paying contract, strong defensive catcher, Joe Mauer certainly does.
Joe Patrick Mauer was born in St. Paul,Minnesota on April 19,1983. He graduated from Cretin-Durham Hall High School in St. Paul. A 3 sport athlete in high school, he was a quarterback on the football team, a point guard on the basketball team with a 20 point average per game, and last but not least a catcher for the high school’s baseball team. He was the only high school athlete ever to be selected as the USA Today high school player of the year in 2 sports(football in 2000 as a quarterback), and(baseball in 2001as a catcher).
Joe Mauer made his MLB Debut on Apr.5,2004. He is considered by experts to be the best catcher in baseball and have one of the best swings. In his breakout season in 2006, Mauer became the first catcher in major league baseball history to lead the majors in batting average and the first American League catcher to win the batting title, finishing with an average of .347. In 2008 he became the first American League catcher to win the batting title twice when he lead the American League with an average of .328. He also won his first gold glove award. In 2009 he became the first catcher to lead the league in batting average on base and slugging percentages in a single year. Mauer’s .365 average is an all time highest mark among catchers in MLB history.
Joe Mauers career highlights and awards are:
3x All- Star selection-2006, 2008, 2009
2x Golden Glove Award-2008, 2009
3x Silver Slugger Award-2006, 2008,
American League MVP-2009
MLB Home Run Derby participant-2009
Dick Siebert Award(Upper midwest player of the year)-2009
Joe Mauer is recognized for the large sideburns he has worn ever since he joined MLB. The Minnesota Twins had a Joe Mauer Sideburns Night in honor of him on Aug.10,2006. He comes from a family of 3 boys. This neighbor of mine (within 60 miles) is a very down to earth, somewhat shy individual, even if all the fame that surrounds him in his prestigious baseball career. He is a true hero to many here in Minnesota.
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/Joe Mauer
Joe Maurer info.com
