Jake Mauer told Sports Headliners his grandson Joe Mauer is healthy and the nine games he missed in late September because of an injured left knee provided the rest the Twins catcher needed for the playoffs.
”He’s ready,” Jake said. “I think he’s going to tear them up because this rest is what he needs. … He was all bruised. You should have seen his body, just terrible, but now it’s all healthy. He says, ‘Grandpa, I don’t have a pain in my body.’ …”
Mauer was the designated hitter last night in the Twins’ home game against Toronto. Jake expects Joe to play in the remaining three regular season games and then be set for the playoffs beginning on Wednesday.
Jake said if the Twins play the Yankees, it will delight his grandson. New York has dominated the Twins during the regular season and playoffs in recent years but Jake said Joe has no lack of confidence in facing the Yankees and badly wants to defeat them. “They should control those Yankees and I think the Twins got a chance to win the World Series,” Jake said. “I am not kidding ya. I look forward to it.”
Mauer is a three time American League batting champion and this season is hitting .328 but Jake said his grandson’s ability to call pitches and handle the pitching staff will be important in the playoffs, too. “Behind the plate he can tell every hitter by their name and…what they can’t hit,” Jake said. “He can go through every lineup (in the league) and tell me, ‘Grandpa, this one doesn’t like the inside part, this one doesn’t like the high ball, this one doesn’t like the low ball, (and) can’t hit a changeup. Every man he names by their names, and that’s incredible.”
Jake believes the results of the Twins abysmal road trip, losing five of six games and giving up 48 runs ties back to Joe’s absence. “I hate to say it but I think they really miss Joe because of him catching and knowing the hitters,” Jake said. “What they like, what they don’t like. …”
It looks like a healthy Mauer will be around now to help the Twins. He will have the personal support at home and away playoff games from 10 people including Jake. “Joe’s going to pick up the tab,” Jake said.
What’s the cost of airfare, lodging and everything else? “I have no idea,” Jake said. “It’s just mind boggling.”