Posted May 21, 2010    

•Joe Mauer

•MarQueis Gray

•Dave St. Peter

•Gordon Hayward

•Chad Rau

June to Bring Mauer Home Runs  

Mauer Power.  What’s happened with Joe Mauer’s home run production? 

Last season the Twins extraordinary hitter won his third American League batting championship and first league MVP award when he hit .365 with 28 home runs.  The home run total was 15 more than any previous single season.   

Mauer homered 11 times in May of last year after missing the first month of the season with a back problem.  This year Mauer been playing since the season started in April, but has homered only twice.  

His grandfather Jake, a former pro baseball player, mentored Joe as a youngster, teaching him the game.  Jake told Sports Headliners the Twins didn’t play Joe enough in spring training and that’s contributed to the slow power start, along with a left heel injury.  

“He should go through spring training just like anybody else but they babied the hell out of him,” Jake said.  “And they’re getting that result, no power. 

“Just swinging and meeting the ball (right now).  That’s all he does.  But come the first of June you’ll see power…because he’s been working out at his house up in Braham in his weight room.  He’ll start hitting the long ball now.”  

Jake said the heel injury that forced Joe to miss several games was about 80 percent healed a few days ago.  That recovery will help Joe hit a few home runs before May is over, according to Jake.   

Joe won’t revert to his home run totals from 2003 to 2008 when his best total was 13 and next highest nine.  “He’ll get to 30,” Jake said.  “You watch.” 

At 27 years old, Joe might be a year away from his physical peak.  “That’s when he’s going to hit .400,” Jake said. 

No major leaguer has hit .400 since Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941.  Mauer’s best big league average is .365 last season. 

With a history of injuries would Joe talk about switching positions?  Move from the physical demands of catching to a less punishing position?  “He will die a catcher,” Jake said. 

Jake also said Joe is excited about this team, describing it as the best hitting club he’s played for and thinks the Twins may play in the World Series this fall.  The older Mauer said the Twins win on Sunday that ended a nine game losing streak against the Yankees is very positive for the players’ confidence. 

 

Gray Won’t Move to Wide Receiver 

MarQueis Gray will be a quarterback for the Gophers next season and will not be moved to wide receiver. 

Coach Tim Brewster made that clear during an interview when he discussed Gray and Adam Weber.  Weber won the No. 1 quarterback assignment during an open competition this spring, prompting speculation that Gray, an athletic sophomore with some experience last season at wide receiver, might move into a receiver’s role for the Gophers.  

“It will be very situational with MarQueis,” Brewster said.  “He pushed Adam extremely hard.  He’s one play away from being our starting quarterback.  The lion’s share of his work is going to be at the quarterback position.  We think he’s got a chance to be an outstanding quarterback, but that doesn’t preclude us from also using him in some situational things, possibly throwing a ball to him.  Letting him do some things, but he’s going to be a quarterback.” 

Brewster said Gray, who saw limited time at quarterback last season but never started, must devote a “tremendous” amount of time to his preparation as a backup.  His “mindset” must be that of a starter. 

Fans saw Gray frequently come in for one play in a series last year, replacing Weber, and often running the football.  That sort of rotation won’t be the policy next fall, Brewster said. 

Weber, a senior who has 38 consecutive starts, is definitely the No. 1 quarterback.  “We go into the season with the utmost confidence that Adam Weber is going to have his best season as a Minnesota Golden Gopher," Brewster said. "He’s 1,700 yards from being in the top five in passing in (the) history of the Big Ten.  I find it really unfortunate that he’s not looked upon in a more favorable light.” 

Weber was frequently criticized for his performance last season but Brewster doesn’t expect him to carry the team’s offense, simply do his job including leadership.  Brewster believes Weber will be comfortable in the Gophers’ pro-style offense next season.   

“Adam Weber was recruited to run this style of offense,” Brewster said. “Adam was not recruited to be a spread quarterback.  He was recruited to be a pro-style quarterback.  …He’s doing an outstanding job of leading, which is most important.” 

Still, there are no guarantees about Weber’s performance next season and if he falters then Gray will have an opportunity.  “Adam knows he needs to perform and we need to win,” Brewster said.     

And if Weber comes through all season, then Gray might be seen a few times catching a pass, or even throwing one as a second quarterback in the lineup.  “His talents are considerable and so we want to take advantage of his talents,” Brewster said. 

 

 MarQueis Gray

Notes Plus 

Brewster said team members will elect the 2010 captains at a meeting on June 12.  

The Twins begin a three-game interleague home series against the Brewers tonight.  Twins president Dave St. Peter said the demand for tickets has been intense with the interest from Minnesota fans and those from Wisconsin.

St. Peter said it's possible to some day add seats to Target Field but there are no plans to do so.   

The names of the 50 greatest Twins ever, in recognition of the franchise’s 50^th season, will be announced on Fox Sports North tonight starting at 6 p.m.  Video essays of each player will be seen on Twins telecasts from now through September 3.  The Twins will honor the 50 players during the anniversary weekend of September 3-5.  The 50 names were determined by a panel of journalists and Twins officials.  

Gordon Hayward, who led a surprise Butler team to the national championship game as a sophomore, is a smart choice for the Wolves to use at No. 16 in the first round of the June 24 NBA draft if the 6-8 forward is still available.   

Jon Cudo, a graduate of Burnsville High, was the Timberwolves first mascot and is now the Cavs’ mascot.   

The Wild, criticized in the past for not having more Minnesotans in the organization, has signed three state natives in two months.  This week Eden Prairie’s Chad Rau signed a two-year, entry level contract after he was the fourth-leading scorer with Houston in his first year in the AHL last season.  The Wild signed Fridley native Nate Palmer last month and Elk River’s Nate Prosser in March.  Rau and Prosser played college hockey at Colorado College and plan to train together this summer. 

St. Olaf senior catcher Tyler Jones is the MIAC Max Molock Most Valuable Player and St. Thomas senior pitcher Matt Schuld is the Mike Augustin Pitcher of the Year.  The conference softball Player of the Year is Alison Wright of St. Thomas, while Pitcher of the Year is Marta Radcliffe, also from St. Thomas.

 

Tyler Jones

 Alison Wright