When Joe Mauer went back to work late last week after missing 29 games with a left quad injury he was the focus of a flattering story in the Sporting News magazine naming him THE player to start with in building a team. “The Twins’ Mauer is not only the game’s best catcher but the guy most of our evaluators—six of the 12—would choose as the player to build a franchise around,” the Sporting News said.
The evaluators included four general managers, six major league scouts, an assistant general manager and a “Hall of Fame writer.” None were identified by name in the article.
The Sporting News praised Mauer for his offense and defense, describing him as baseball’s best catcher. “His only weakness is his height because, at 6-5, he can make calling low strikes difficult for the umpire trying to see over him,” the article said.
That comment annoyed Twins’ general manager Terry Ryan. “I don’t think much of that,” he told Sports Headliners. “That’s the biggest crock I’ve ever heard. I don’t believe that at all. …Carlton Fisk caught in the big leagues and he’s in the Hall of Fame, and he’s 6-feet-5, and about twice as wide as Joe. I don’t know who is kidding who here.”
Ryan explained why baseball people would choose to build a team by taking Mauer as their first player. “You’re always looking for a quality catcher, a left hand hitting catcher that’s got offense,” Ryan said. “That’s why people would pick Joe. Not only that, he’s got his better days ahead of him. He’s only 24 years old. When you’re going to start a club…you build from the middle and catching. …That’s why I am sure all the evaluators decided he’d be the right guy to start a club with.”
Mauer led the American League in hitting last season with a .347 average. He became the first American League catcher ever to lead the American League in hitting and the first catcher in the majors to win a league hitting title since Ernie Lombardi did so with the Boston Braves in 1942. Mauer’s career average is .321.