Twins’ catcher Joe Mauer is financing brother Bill’s purchase of Southview Chevrolet in Inver Grove Heights, according to Jake Mauer, the boys’ grandfather. The older Mauer told Sports Headliners the dealership will be open in early September to provide parts and service, and sell vehicles by October 1.
“He (Joe) takes care of his family,” Jake said. “His brother needs something, he always gives. His dad and mom, he always gives. That’s what’s really nice about him. He takes care of family first.”
Bill has previous experience in the car business including past employment in sales at Southview when it was owned by Denny Hecker. Joe is expected to make personal appearances at the dealership which as yet is unnamed but could be Mauer Chevrolet. “I think this thing is a natural,” said Jake who knows the Mauer name is legendary in St. Paul. “I really do.”
An owner in the auto business today typically needs patience. When does the Mauer dealership plan to be profitable? “They say it will take at least a couple years to come around,” Jake said.
What’s Joe’s feeling about the business? “He doesn’t mind it,” Jake said. “What the hell. He’s got more money than you can talk about. He might as well use it. He’s single. He can do what he wants to do.”
Joe is in the next to last season of a four-year contract worth $33 million, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts on the Web. It’s believed that he’s paying less than $5 million for the dealership.
Jake said another Joe Mauer deal was closing last week on a large amount of land near Rush City. “What he bought it for really and truly was for his mom and dad’s home,” Jake said.
Joe took possession of a $110,000 Mercedes-Benz earlier this week, Jake said.