Image Source: 1500espn.com
There are not many ball players left these days that stay with one team throughout their whole career and even if they do, the numbers start to decline as the years pass them by, and that can be said about the Minnesota Twins catcher turned first baseman Joe Mauer.
Mauer started his pro career in 2001, when he was picked by the Twins as the first overall pick in the MLB June Amateur draft.
The 13-year veteran, has appeared in six all-star games, has three batting titles, and won the 2009 AL MVP award.
Throughout the first seven years of his career, he starred for the Twins behind the plate, before moving to first base in 2011.
Over the past five years, Mauer has spent time on the DL with a variety of ailments and his numbers have not been consistent due to the loss of games. But in 2015, he played in 158 games, the most in his career leading to hitting 34 doubles, 10 home runs, and 66 RBI.
The 33-year old Minnesota native is not putting up numbers like many other first baseman in the game today, but he is looking to finishing this season as one of the tops in his career.
Currently over the last week from May 23-May 29, Mauer has a six game hitting streak, while batting .520 (13 for 25), with three straight games with a home run, four for the week, seven RBI’s, and four multi-hit games.
Earlier in the season Mauer enjoyed nine and seven game hitting streaks as he looks to regain his all-star form. The career .312 hitter, is currently batting .286, with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 48 games.
It is safe to say that not much is expected from Mauer for the Twins, and many have thought the once all-star catcher has been on a full decline, but he is proving so far this season that he still has the ability to be an all-star again.
Mauer is putting together a few good stretches in 2016 and for that we honor him with our AL Player of the Week award.
David Conde
David is the Founder and Co-Owner of Legends On Deck and Co-Host of the Legends On Deck Podcast. A lifelong sports fan with a special passion for the New York Mets and New York Knicks, David has spent more than a decade covering the sports he loves. From 2010 to 2014, he served as a Senior Editor for MetsMerized Online and Mets Minors, and in June 2014 fulfilled a lifelong dream by covering the New York Mets at Citi Field as a credentialed writer. As Legends On Deck has expanded beyond baseball, David has enjoyed diving into more sports, learning along the way and sharing those stories with readers and listeners. Married for over 27 years and the proud father of two adult sons, he continues to connect with sports fans through Legends On Deck, the podcast and social media.
