Twins third baseman Mike Lamb was talking about the challenge of hitting in the major leagues. Pitchers routinely master multiple pitches like the fast ball, curve, slider, cutter and others. In a typical game, three or four pitchers make appearances, keeping fresh arms in front of batters and often throwing a high volume of 90-plus miles per hour fast balls.
Despite an environment like that (you can add the challenges of travel and playing day after day without a break in the schedule) how does a player like Joe Mauer achieve or flirt with batting averages of .350 or beyond? “It’s unbelievable,” Lamb told Sports Headliners.
Lamb, in his first season with the Twins but his ninth in the majors, is a career .279 hitter. He’s been struggling this spring and his numbers include a modest .225 average with no home runs and 16 RBI.
Mauer has a career batting average of .313. In 2006 he led the American League in hitting with a .347 average. This season he’s hitting .316, among the best averages in the American League. During the month of May he’s hitting .354.
How does Mauer hit like that? “I don’t know,” Lamb said with a smile. “I wish I did, then I’d try to steal some of it. It’s a gift.
“He’s got a great eye. He doesn’t swing at too many bad pitches. He’s got an inside out swing that keeps his bat in the zone a long time. So even if he’s fooled, he has a chance of getting the barrel (of the bat) on it.
“He’s not afraid of getting jammed (by pitches). He uses the whole field. Stuff I try to do but I don’t do it as well. …
“Obviously he sacrifices power (Mauer has no home runs so far this season). Maybe because I don’t hit many home runs, I am not a believer in the almighty home run.
“But ultimately, it’s a gift (how Mauer hits). You just watch him and you’re just jealous, man. Why can’t I do that? He’s good.”