Joe Mauer – Page 18 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Joe Mauer Push to .300 Will Be Telling

Posted on July 27, 2015July 27, 2015 by David Shama

The Twins pursuit of their first year in the playoffs since 2010 will be a major storyline between now and the season’s end October 4, but controversial Joe Mauer’s final batting numbers will be news, too.

Mauer hit .277 last season, the lowest average of his big league career. After yesterday’s game against the Yankees, he is batting .277 with six home runs and 43 RBI. What’s encouraging for the Twins’ top paid player is that during his last 30 games the batting average is .327. He has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games.

“When the smoke clears I think he’ll be close to that .300 and get his 80, 90 runs driven in,” said Jim Rantz who years ago scouted Mauer for the Twins. “I don’t know where he’ll be with the power numbers. He’ll get his doubles (and singles). Obviously we’re all looking for some extra power, the home runs and so forth.”

With 64 games remaining on the schedule, Mauer will have to hit about .333 the rest of the season to pull the final average up to .300. A reason for optimism is although Mauer’s career has frequently been impacted by injuries—including his famous concussion in 2013—he is healthy this season, according to various sources. “I think that concussion stuff is in the past,” said Rantz, who retired in 2012 after several decades as an executive in the Twins farm system.

Mauer came into this season with a lifetime batting average of .319. That was the seventh highest among players in major league baseball since 1950. Before switching over to first base last season, Mauer could be mentioned in the same breath with baseball’s greatest catchers ever. He is the only catcher to win three batting titles and the only one ever among American Leaguers. He won the 2009 American League MVP Award and also received three consecutive Gold Glove awards for his work behind the plate.

But at 32 and coming off his struggles in 2014 and this year, doubts persist about Mauer’s best days being over. His slugging percentage used to routinely better .400 and even .500, but it’s now under .400 for a second consecutive season. His onbase percentages are way down from the glory days, too. Rantz referred to Mauer’s lack of power, and for sure his six home runs aren’t what is expected from the No. 3 hitter in a major league lineup, and from someone who commands one of baseball’s highest salaries at $23 million per year.

Maybe Mauer is just an old 32 with diminishing reflexes. His 63 strikeouts already this season are trending way higher than his three batting championship seasons.

Could Mauer have more high level production left than skeptics believe? Rantz has admired the Minnesota native’s “sweet swing” since Mauer was in high school. “He’s got the potential to be that hitter like he was,” Rantz said.

Perhaps there is a year or two coming where Mauer can duplicate what his buddy and ex-teammate Justin Morneau did last season with the Rockies. Morneau, too, has a concussion history and after three consecutive disappointing seasons with the Twins won the National League batting title playing for the Rockies in 2014.

Whatever happens with Mauer in the near future, the results will be newsworthy.

Worth Noting

Rantz will participate in this weekend’s reunion of the 1965 Twins World Series team. In 1965 the St. Paul native and former Gopher had just finished managing the Twins’ St. Cloud minor league club when he was asked prior to the World Series to help the Twins public relations department.

“That was (a) pretty good time to join them,” he laughed. Rantz was the club’s assistant public relations director for a few years before moving to the Twins farm department as an executive.

Reunion activities will be attended by many players who were part of the 1965 club that won the American League pennant before losing to the Dodgers in the World Series. Activities will include a ceremony on the field prior to the Twins-Mariners game Saturday. Maria Versalles, granddaughter of 1965 Twins shortstop Zoilo Versalles, and Rick Oliva, son of Twins outfielder Tony Oliva, will sing the National Anthem at Target Field prior to the game.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Twins make a deal soon for 38-year-old catcher A.J. Pierzynski from the Braves. The club needs catching and hitting help. Pierzynski, a former Twin who is hitting .286 with six home runs and 30 RBI, is affordable with a reported one year contract paying him $2 million in 2015.

Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks is a quiet success story, hitting safely in 13 of his last 17 games for a .339 average. He is hitting .271 after batting .192 and .215 in his first two seasons with the Twins.

Bob McNamara, an All-American halfback for the Gophers in 1954, died last July and his legacy in Minnesota included fundraising. Among his endeavors for many years was an annual luncheon in Minneapolis where sports legends helped him raise money for the St. Anthony Athletic Club. Tonight the Bob McNamara Memorial Legends Dinner will be held at TCF Bank Stadium with proceeds benefitting the Gophers football scholarship in his name. Former Wayzata player Brandon Lingen, now a tight end with the Gophers, is this year’s scholarship recipient. Jerry Kill will receive the Bob McNamara Memorial Legends Award because the Gophers head coach exemplifies qualities that characterized McNamara including work ethic, loyalty and generosity.

It’s a common prediction among publications that the Gophers’ football record in the Big Ten this fall will be 4-4 but Collegefootballnews.com projects 5-3. In its Big Ten predictions last Thursday the website forecast an overall record of 8-4 with a nonconference loss to TCU and league losses to Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Jessica Plant

Gopher swimmer Jessica Plant has been selected as the Big Ten Conference co-honoree for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year. The award recognizes graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service and leadership. Plant, who is the Big Ten’s honoree along with Kimberly Dinh from Wisconsin, completed her undergraduate career at Minnesota with a 4.0 GPA and earned degrees in both art history and classical civilizations. She plans to pursue graduate work at Cornell University in art history and archaeology in the fall. She was a three-time All-American for the Gophers. The NCAA Woman of the Year national finalists will be announced in late September with the winner to be recognized on October 18 in Indianapolis.

City Council President Barb Johnson said Minneapolis hopes to have a deal in place for a soccer stadium in the Farmers Market area by sometime in August. The deal would be with the Bill McGuire ownership group and involve privately financing the stadium. The plan might include a commitment by the city to ask the state Legislature next year for property tax and sales tax exemptions involving the stadium.

Johnson also told Sports Headliners she and other leaders from the city have been talking with Hennepin County representatives about helping with a stadium deal. The county, like the city, has a vested interest in tax revenue growth and is a big supporter of the rail system in the area.

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GM Ryan: Molitor Doing ‘Heck of a Job’

Posted on June 29, 2015June 29, 2015 by David Shama

New Twins manager Paul Molitor and a revised coaching staff from 2014 received praise from club general manager Terry Ryan during an interview with Sports Headliners. The Twins, who lost 90-plus games the four previous seasons, had a losing record a year ago but today are 40-35 and 5.5 games out of first place in the AL Central Division.

The work of Molitor and his staff ranks with the most effective managing and coaching performances in MLB so far this season. “I’ve been impressed. I’ve been pleased,” Ryan said last week. “I think the players respond to all the staff. We’re in a good spot. We’ve got chemistry, camaraderie, and leadership and all that stuff, and more often than not you have to point to the manager. Give him the credit where credit is due.

“We’re playing very good, competitive baseball, almost on a daily basis. We haven’t gotten too giddy and we don’t get too far down when things aren’t going so well. He’s (Molitor) done a heck of a job here leading this thing. I am very happy for him, especially because he’s taken on a big responsibility here and he’s done something with it.”

The Twins are within six games of being halfway through the 2015 schedule. Ryan said the Twins can contend for the Central Division title and playoffs. “We’re in better shape than we’ve been the past four years by far,” Ryan said of a franchise that was last in the playoffs in 2010.

Ryan has been pleased with the team’s improved defense (including more athleticism in the outfield) and the starting pitching. His optimism about the club’s possible playoff participation is also based on what has been an under performing offense.

“We’re a better offensive club I think than what we’ve shown,” Ryan said. “Some of the guys that have produced the last year or two are still not back to even. That just gives me some sort of optimism we should be able to score more runs here and give our team the ability to take a little of that pressure off that pitching staff. That pitching staff has done a good job here.”

The performance of the starting pitching staff (including three starters with ERAs under 3.60) has surprised even the general manager and that’s boosted the overall pitching. “It’s not one guy (of the starters) that’s rebounded here,” Ryan said. “We’ve got a handful all of a sudden. (And) the bullpen has been pretty decent really from start to finish. We’ve had a couple of gaps but not too many.”

When former regulars Ricky Nolasco and Ervin Santana are ready to return from absences, the club will have too many starters. Ryan isn’t prepared to say now who fits in and who doesn’t. “We’ve got some difficult decisions to make, but they’re awfully good decisions because we’ve got a lot of competition for those slots,” he said.

The offense will be jumpstarted if Joe Mauer can hit like he did a few years ago. Ryan said Mauer’s rib injury diminished results last year that included a career low .277 average. The general manager said Mauer’s health this year isn’t an issue but the former three-time American League batting champion, who entered the season with a career average of .319, is batting just .260. He has 37 RBI (tied for third best on the team) and four home runs.

Mauer is hitting .240 in the last 30 games—indicative of his struggles this spring—but in his last seven is batting .323. With the season approaching the halfway place on the Twins schedule, Mauer will have to produce an avalanche of hits to finish with a .300 or better average. Ryan thinks it could happen.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t put that (.300) by him,” Ryan said. “I know he isn’t anywhere near that right now but I would not put that past him because he’s always shown the resiliency (to bounce back). He’s had a little bit of a tough year last year. We all admit that, but as long as he’s healthy—and he looks very healthy to me right now—I wouldn’t be surprised because there’s no reason, (with) his swing, his health.”

Mauer was a catcher his first 10 years with the Twins before moving to first base last season. Catching is the most physical and punishing position in baseball. Because of all the games Mauer caught, is he an old 32? Could that explain his decline at the plate?

“I don’t think so,” Ryan said. “In fact I think he’s a young 32 because he takes care of himself. …He knows what it takes to be prepared and he has done a good job of that.”

Worth Noting

Ryan talking about closer Glen Perkins (first in AL saves with 24), who could the Twins lone representative in next month’s All-Star Game: “Perkins has done nothing but impress this year and he’s put himself in a good position.”

Gary Trent Jr., the Apple Valley High School basketball player who will be among the most coveted college recruits nationally in the class of 2017, is among six “Faces in the Crowd” athletes featured in the June 29 issue of Sports Illustrated. Trent was recognized for his 19 second half points leading the U.S. 16-and-under team to a victory over Canada in the gold medal FIBA Americas game in June. The magazine also reported Trent was named tournament MVP, and earlier this year led Apple Valley to the Class 4A championship with a win over Champlin Park.

Bill Robertson, the men’s WCHA commissioner who offices in suburban Minneapolis, hopes to meet with Arizona State Athletic Department officials in Tempe this summer to discuss ASU joining his hockey league. It’s believed the Sun Devils are also being courted by the Big Ten and NCHC.

The Sun Devils have been playing club hockey but plan to be affiliated with a conference starting with the 2017-2018 season. Robertson said the ASU brand is “tremendous” and among the many reasons he is intrigued about the Sun Devils being in the WCHA is TV exposure from the Pac-12 Network. The Pac-12 is the conference home for other ASU sports but doesn’t offer hockey competition.

Among ASU officials is athletic director Ray Anderson who at one time was the agent for former Vikings coach Denny Green. Robertson sees the western United States as a “real growth area” for college hockey with the possibility some day of two major hockey schools on the West Coast—along with the two Alaska schools already in the WCHA.

Nearly 10,000 athletes from every state will compete and vie for medals in 19 sports during the National Senior Games that start here next month. Presented by Humana, this is the largest multi-sport event in the world for senior (ages 50+) athletes. The 800 competitions will take place July 3–15 at 26 venues in Bloomington, Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Events are free and open to the public. More at NSGA.com.

Volunteers, including scorekeepers in archery, badminton, basketball and volleyball, are needed. Airport greeters are also sought. More at TeamMNvolunteer.com.

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Twins President Expects .300 from Mauer

Posted on May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 by David Shama

There’s more good news ahead for the Twins if club president Dave St. Peter is right about Joe Mauer. The first place Central Division Twins have won 10 of their last 15 games but Mauer has struggled at the plate hitting .250 with one home run in that span—although he does have 12 RBI.

For the season the Twins are a surprising and impressive 28-18 playing in what St. Peter describes as perhaps baseball’s toughest division. Mauer is second on the team in RBI with 27 but his .276 average and on-base percentage of .337 are significantly lower than his career numbers of .317 and .399.

Mauer, the team’s highest paid player at a reported $23 million per season, suffered a concussion in 2013 and that ended his career as a catcher. Playing first base last season he hit only .277 and his continued below average numbers cause speculation by fans about the 32-year-old Minnesota native’s health.

St. Peter told Sports Headliners that Mauer is “100 percent” healthy. He said Mauer has been a team leader this spring and is evolving into one of the American League’s best first basemen. “I am not worried about Joe Mauer. I think Joe is still primed for a very, very solid season (and) one in which he could drive in 90 to 100 runs. I expect he’s going to hit over .300 and have one of the higher on-base percentages on our club. Joe Mauer is part of the solution. He’s not one of the problems.”

The Twins lost 90-plus games the past four seasons but fans are giddy about the club’s fast start this spring. If the regular season ended now, manager Paul Molitor’s team would be in the playoffs.

“I really don’t go there (the playoff talk),” St. Peter said. “It’s way too early. It’s May. Obviously you want to position yourself to be playing meaningful games late in the season. We’ll deal with that as it comes.

“We do know Mr. Molitor has got these guys competing, so the ultimate goal is to win the World Series. To get to the World Series you have to get to the post-season. Clearly those are things that are out there in front of us, but I can tell you we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about that in May.”

The Twins are 17-6 at Target Field so far—the best home record in the American League. St. Peter said it looks like the club has regained its “mojo” in Minneapolis where in 2010 the team had the best home record in baseball. “If nothing else…I thought that was absolutely critical…to play better at home.

“We’re playing great at home. Hopefully that trend will continue because I think that’s the trademark of a good baseball team.”

Worth Noting

St. Peter said there’s been a “bit of a lag” with the fan base coming back to buy tickets after the team’s struggles during past seasons. However, he’s encouraged by walkup sales including one game where about 5,000 tickets were sold. He said market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise.

Tickets remain for all home games including the much anticipated series with the Cubs June 19, 20 and 21. Those games may eventually sell out but the Twins aren’t close to sellouts for any remaining games on the 2015 schedule, St. Peter said.

The Twins will see familiar faces with the Blue Jays in town for games tonight through Sunday. First baseman and outfielder Chris Colabello, for years a journeyman in the Twins organization who could have hot streaks, is hitting .386 with three home runs and 12 RBI in 83 at bats.

Other ex-Twins with the Jays are infielder Danny Valencia and pitchers Andrew Albers, Liam Hendriks and R.A. Dickey. Sal Butera, the former Twins catcher, is a scout with the organization.

Matt Kalil was harshly criticized last season by fans and media but Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer knows some of those barbs weren’t deserved. At times the left tackle (who played injured) didn’t receive the on-field help he needed from now departed starting left guard Charlie Johnson. This week at OTAs Brandon Fusco is working with Kalil from the left guard position after being on the right side last year next to tackle Phil Loadholt.

Kalil said he and Fusco want to achieve good communication and that includes developing rapport off the field. “Yeah, we’re trying to go out (for fun) a little more. Phil is kind of getting a little upset,” Kalil kidded. “That was his boy.”

Zimmer said a key reason for switching Fusco from right guard to left is to benefit rookie T.J. Clemmings who could become the starter on the right side. “We felt like with T.J. Clemmings it would be a little bit easier for him to stay on the same side (as in college),” Zimmer said.

Mike Wallace, the new wide receiver the Vikings acquired in a trade this off-season, said he’s played in five different offenses the last five years. He expects a comfortable adjustment here and looks forward to being part of offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s emphasis on the vertical passing game. He doesn’t think he “messed up” a single play the first two days of practice this week.

Wallace caught 10 touchdown passes for the Dolphins last season. Three times during his career he has averaged 16.6 yards or better per reception, with best averages of 21 in 2010 and 19.4 in 2009 playing for the Steelers.

Is Wallace the kind of upgrade Zimmer wants for the Vikings at wide receiver? “I know he’s a dynamic receiver and he’s been doing a great job of working,” Zimmer said. “He’s a guy that works very, very hard. He’s been catching the ball well. He’s been learning the playbook. All of these things are all different, but he’s looked good.”

Vikings players, coaches and staff have their annual playground building project on June 3 at Falcon Heights Elementary School in Falcon Heights.

Calendar planning for 2016: Xcel Energy Center hosts the Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships January 15-24, and the Big Ten Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament March 17-19.

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