After a terrific winning streak in which our Twins made up half the ground needed to contend in the Central Division, they have proceeded to give some games back.
Reality has set in and our over achieving AAA players have faltered. That is only to be expected as opposing pitchers begin to exploit the reasons they weren’t in the Majors in the first place. We have to give them a lot of credit, for they went out, scrapped and did the very best they knew how. Then they started losing. Wait a minute! The Twins didn’t start losing until Mauer and Nishioka came back and started playing regularly.
However, to be fair to the returning regulars, the winning streak was built on second division teams, the Kansas Cities and San Diegos of this world. But the minor leaguers and starting pitching put on quite a show, didn’t they.
The Twins as I write this are still in contention, thanks to their winning streak. The rookies are now being overwhelmed by the top teams in baseball and it’s time for the well-paid regulars to step up. Whether that happens will determine our Twins’ fate.
The biggest question mark by far on every fan’s mind is Joe Mauer. What’s with Joe? Here is the fourth highest paid player in the Majors playing like a fair to middling prospect. When you watch Joe dribble another grounder to the infield, a guy might think my Aunt Sally could do that well. (Not to insult Aunt Sally.) Is Joe hurt? Is he sick? His two months off to regain his strength without a rational explanation leaves one wondering. Not only that, his dislike of playing another position besides catcher also makes you wonder if Joe is much of a team man when compared to Michael Cuddyer.
I’m sure Joe is going through a very difficult time, for it must be hard to go from a sure Hall of Famer to being ripped by a mediocre reliever for his pitch selection. A short time ago a pitcher would not have the nerve to question Joe Mauer, much less call him out in public. Perhaps he and the rest of the clubhouse have the same questions about Joe as we have.
If Mauer is suffering from some undisclosed illness, we would understand. Almost all of us have been under the weather for a substantial length of time. And if he is, our feelings about Joe would turn around in an instant and we would applaud his determination to come back and help the team.
I know it’s tough for a superstar to give up his position for even a short time. But wouldn’t we feel better about Mauer if he had said to Gardy, "Where’s a first basemen’s mitt? I’ll play first every third day." Although Joe has now agreed to give first a try and that speaks well for him.
We are all concerned about Joe and I’m sure Gardy is also. If he isn’t, why is he keeping three catchers on the team? I’m sure it’s not for hitting, for the three are all hitting below .200. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised to see an announcement from the Twins telling us that Joe Mauer will have to miss the rest of the season. I sure hope not, for that would mean that St. Paul native Joe Mauer is seriously ill.
We’re all rooting for you, Joe, and realize that the Twins will not win the pennant without the Joe Mauer of the past. But much more importantly, we wish the best for you personally.
