Joe Mauer

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Joe Mauer

|image = Joe Mauer in 2017 (34025539223).jpg

|caption = Mauer with the Minnesota Twins in 2017

|position = Catcher / First baseman

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|4|19}}

|birth_place = Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 5

|debutyear = 2004

|debutteam = Minnesota Twins

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate = September 30

|finalyear = 2018

|finalteam = Minnesota Twins

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .306

|stat2label = Hits

|stat2value = 2,123

|stat3label = Home runs

|stat3value = 143

|stat4label = Runs batted in

|stat4value = 923

|teams =

Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2018}})

|awards =

6× All-Star (2006, 2008–2010, 2012, 2013)
AL MVP (2009)
3× Gold Glove Award (2008–2010)
5× Silver Slugger Award (2006, 2008–2010, 2013)
3× AL batting champion (2006, 2008, 2009)
Minnesota Twins No. 7 retired
Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame

|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

|hoftype = National

|hofdate = 2024

|hofvote = 76.1% (first ballot)

}}

Joseph Patrick Mauer (born April 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball catcher and first baseman who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Minnesota Twins. Regarded as one of the greatest contact hitters at the catcher position in his prime, Mauer is the only catcher in MLB history to win three batting titles, and the only catcher to ever win a batting title in the American League (AL). Internationally, Mauer represented the United States.

Selected by the Twins with the first overall pick of the 2001 MLB draft, Mauer received six All-Star selections, won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards (2008–2010), five Silver Slugger Awards (including three in a row) and the 2009 AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.{{cite web |last=Krawczynski |first=Jon |date=March 21, 2010 |title=Mauer, Twins agree to 8-year, $184 million extension |url=https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2010/03/21/mauer-contract |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416105435/https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2010/03/21/mauer-contract |archive-date=April 16, 2019 |access-date=April 16, 2019 |work=The Current |publisher=Associated Press}} {{As of|2023}}, he is the most recent catcher to win the MVP award in the American League, and one of only two catchers to win an MVP in the 21st century, along with Buster Posey. In 2024, Mauer was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

High school career

Mauer played football, basketball, and baseball for St. Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders.{{cite web |title=High School Baseball |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/hs/2092.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121042427/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/hs/2092.shtml |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=The Baseball Cube}}{{cite web |title=Joe Mauer |url=https://www.thebaseballcube.com/page.asp?PT=player&ID=6173 |access-date=July 9, 2008 |work=The Baseball Cube |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408083546/https://www.thebaseballcube.com/page.asp?PT=player&ID=6173 |url-status=live }} In his senior year, he became the only athlete ever to be selected as the USA Today High School Player of the Year in football (quarterback, 2000) and baseball (catcher, 2001).{{cite news|title=All-USA high school baseball team|work=USA Today|date=June 29, 2001|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baseball/01allusa.htm|access-date=February 17, 2010|archive-date=May 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526185500/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baseball/01allusa.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Top 50 high school baseball players since 1965 |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/m/news/mfQKu9X0dkqc-ofnX9OpOQ/top-50-high-school-baseball-players-since-1965.htm |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.maxpreps.com}}

In December 2009, Sports Illustrated magazine included Mauer in its article on ten "signature" moments in U.S. high school sports in the 2000–2009 decade, referring to his selection by the Minnesota Twins as the first pick in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite magazine |last=Armstrong |first=Kevin |date=December 18, 2009 |title=2000s: The Decade in Sports; High school: 10 signature moments (at "3. The power of Mauer (June 6, 2001)") |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=CNN |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/17/preps.stories/index.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120050016/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/17/preps.stories/index.html |archive-date=January 20, 2010}} See also: List of 2009 all-decade Sports Illustrated awards and honors.

=Baseball=

Mauer attended the same high school as Baseball Hall of Famer and former Milwaukee Brewer Paul Molitor who later became his major league manager with the Twins.{{cite news |author=Wier |first=Tom |date=June 29, 2001 |title=Mauer Honored |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baseball/2001-06-28-mauer-honored.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2012 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706142515/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/baseball/2001-06-28-mauer-honored.htm |url-status=live }} Molitor has said that Mauer "has the best swing he had ever seen".{{cite web |author=Paulling |first=Daniel |date=July 12, 2004 |title=Player in the Spotlight: Joe Mauer |url=http://www.athomeplate.com/spotlightmauer.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040902182147/http://www.athomeplate.com/spotlightmauer.shtml |archive-date=September 2, 2004 |website=At Home Plate}} Jim O'Neill, Mauer's baseball coach at Cretin-Derham Hall, said his former student "has been groomed for this job since he was a little boy. Mauer's dad, Jake, created a contraption for Joe he later named the 'Quickswing.' The device dropped balls down a tube from eye level and released them at waist level." Mauer had been asked to leave his T-ball league at the age of four, because he was hitting the ball too hard for the other players.{{cite web |last=Borden |first=Sam |date=December 20, 2010 |title=Joe Mauer | Interview |url=http://www.mensfitness.com/joe_mauer/exclusives/168 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028101232/http://www.mensfitness.com/joe_mauer/exclusives/168 |archive-date=October 28, 2010 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |website=Men's Fitness |df=mdy-all}} "Another guy that came from Cretin-Derham Hall, Paul Molitor, was very similar, [and] had a good short swing," O'Neill said. "And they're both able to wait on the ball so long because they don't have the big swing. Like anything, you keep simple and keep it small or short, there's not a lot of holes in it and not a lot of room for errors."{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Laura |date=July 13, 2004 |title=MPR: Joe Mauer's rookie rally |url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/07/13_bensonl_mauerphenom/ |access-date=October 5, 2009 |website=Minnesota Public Radio |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629135259/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/07/13_bensonl_mauerphenom/ |url-status=live }}

A stand-out in baseball, Mauer struck out only once during his four-year high school career (though he did strike out in the All-Star game his senior year which isn’t included in his overall stats). He hit .605 during his senior season.{{cite web |author=Walsh |first=Jim |date=July 5, 2006 |title=The Kid Who Struck Out Joe Mauer |url=http://citypages.com/databank/27/1335/article14491.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810173838/http://citypages.com/databank/27/1335/article14491.asp |archive-date=August 10, 2006 |website=City Pages |df=mdy-all}}{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Tyler |date=June 1, 2015 |title=15 years later, Feiner's high school strikeout of Mauer still resonates |language=en-US |work=Fox Sports |url=https://www.foxsports.com/north/story/15-years-later-paul-feiner-s-high-school-strikeout-of-minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-resonates-060115 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603014936/https://www.foxsports.com/north/story/15-years-later-paul-feiner-s-high-school-strikeout-of-minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-resonates-060115 |archive-date=June 3, 2015}} Years later, Mauer laughingly told an interviewer: "I can remember the time I did strike out. It was junior year, and it was in the state tournament. I came back to the bench and everybody thought something was wrong with me." Mauer's high school batting average exceeded .500 every year. He also set a Minnesota high school record and tied the national preps mark by hitting a home run in seven consecutive games. Mauer caught for the Team USA Junior National team from 1998 to 2000 and hit .595 during his final year on the team. He was voted best hitter at the World Junior Baseball Championship in Canada in {{baseball year|2000}}. In {{baseball year|2001}}, Mauer was voted the United States District V Player of the Year.

=Basketball=

Mauer averaged more than 20 points a game as a point guard for Cretin-Derham Hall. He was also named to the All-State team during his final two years on Cretin-Derham's basketball team.

=Football=

Mauer had an accomplished high school football career. In 2000, he appeared in the Faces in the Crowd section in Sports Illustrated. During his senior season as the Raiders' quarterback, Mauer completed 178 of 269 passes (66% completion percentage), for 3,022 yards, 41 touchdowns and five interceptions.{{cite web |last=Deegan |first=Jason |date=October 5, 2006 |title=A look back: Joe Mauer, PART 1 |url=http://ssbaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=345281 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715190225/http://ssbaseball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=345281 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |website=Rivals.com}} He finished his two-year career as a starter with 5,528 yards and 73 touchdowns, leading the Raiders to two consecutive Class 5A State Championship Game appearances and winning the title in 1999, the Raiders' first.

Mauer was honored as the 2001 Gatorade National Player of the Year, was named to the USA Today All-USA high school football team, was honored as USA Today's Player of the Year, was a Reebok/ESPN High School All-American, and was awarded Player of the Year for the game that would go on to be known as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Mauer was also named National High School Quarterback of the Year in 2000 by The National Quarterback Club.{{cite web |title=Player Biography and Career Highlights |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=408045 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204054817/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=408045 |archive-date=December 4, 2007 |access-date=February 11, 2007 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}}

Professional career

=Draft and minor leagues=

After committing to play football at Florida State University, Mauer ultimately decided instead to enter the Major League Baseball Draft. Mauer was selected by the Twins as the first overall pick of the 2001 draft, ahead of college pitcher Mark Prior, who was taken second overall by the Chicago Cubs.{{cite news |author=Beaton |first=Rod |date=June 6, 2001 |title=Youth, pitching dominate draft |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/01draft/2001-06-05-analysis.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2012 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706142535/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/01draft/2001-06-05-analysis.htm |url-status=live }} Mauer was part of the United States' roster at the {{baseball year|2003}} All-Star Futures Game at U.S. Cellular Field before being promoted to the Twins' roster in {{baseball year|2004}} after his predecessor, A. J. Pierzynski, was traded to the San Francisco Giants, in the 2003 offseason.

=2004–2005=

Mauer made his major league debut on April 5, 2004, and finished the game 2-for-3, hitting a single off Rafael Betancourt of the Cleveland Indians for his first major-league hit.{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2004 |title=Cleveland bullpen ends up sheepish |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/240405109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080540/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/240405109 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} A knee injury to his left medial meniscus on April 7, 2004, required surgery and sidelined Mauer for more than a month.{{Cite web |date=April 7, 2004 |title=Twins rookie C Mauer put on DL; out a month? |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1777585 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080540/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1777585 |url-status=live }} After a rehabilitation stint with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, Mauer returned to the Twins' lineup in June. In July, pain and swelling in his knee forced an early end to Mauer's 2004 season.{{Cite web |last=Sheldon |first=Mark |date=August 19, 2004 |title=Notes: Hard knocks for Mauer |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/min/news/min_news.jsp?ymd=20040819&content_id=832605&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041019065914/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/min/news/min_news.jsp?ymd=20040819&content_id=832605&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp |archive-date=October 19, 2004 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}} Following his injury-shortened 2004, Mauer signed a contract for under a million with the Twins on January 24, 2005. In 2005, Mauer returned to the Twins' lineup for his first full major league season, and batted .294 with 144 hits, nine home runs and 55 RBI in 131 games.

=2006–2008=

File:Joe Mauer (2311212559).jpg

In his 2006 season, Mauer became the first catcher in American League history to lead the American League in batting average, finishing with an average of .347.{{cite web |date=October 1, 2006 |title=Mauer wins AL batting title on final day |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2609825 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108122032/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2609825 |url-status=live }} Mauer's performance during the months of May and June garnered attention from the national media. He recorded a .528 batting average over the first ten days of June and hit .452 over the course of the month.{{Cite web |title=Joe Mauer Game by Game Stats and Performance |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5378/year/2006 |access-date= |website=ESPN |language=en |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080542/https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/5378/year/2006 |url-status=live }} He was also the first player since Mike Piazza in 1997 to reach base four or more times for five consecutive games.{{cite web |author= |date=June 11, 2006 |title=Elias Says... |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=2479115 |website=ESPN |agency=Elias Sports Bureau |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410013057/https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=2479115 |url-status=live }} On June 12, Mauer was named the American League Player of the Week by Major League Baseball for his performance the week of June 4–11, during which he hit .625 (15-for-24) with five doubles, 4 RBI and two stolen bases.{{cite web |author=Reeves |first=D.C. |date=June 12, 2006 |title=Surging Mauer takes top AL honors |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060612&content_id=1501971&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210224814/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060612&content_id=1501971&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=December 10, 2007 |work=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}}

Mauer recorded his first five RBI game June 26, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mauer followed that up with his first career five-hit game on June 27, also against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was also named MLB Player of the Month for June after batting .452 with a .624 slugging percentage and .528 on-base percentage, 11 doubles, 14 RBI and 18 runs. Along with Johan Santana (Pitcher of the Month) and Francisco Liriano (Rookie of the Month), Mauer was part of the first-ever single-team sweep of MLB's three monthly awards.{{cite web |author=Brummond |first=Jason |date=July 2, 2006 |title=Twins dominate monthly AL honors |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060702&content_id=1535971&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109151244/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060702&content_id=1535971&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=November 9, 2007 |work=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}} On July 2, Mauer was selected by the players to his first All-Star Game.{{cite web |date=July 7, 2006 |title=American League All-Star Roster |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar06/news/story?id=2512107 |work=ESPN |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109191804/https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar06/news/story?id=2512107 |url-status=live }} Mauer appeared on the cover of the August 7, 2006 issue of Sports Illustrated.{{Cite magazine |date=August 7, 2006 |title=Sports Illustrated Vault |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2006/08/07/728644 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080540/https://vault.si.com/vault/2006/08/07/728644 |url-status=live }}

File:Joemauer.JPG

Mauer finished the 2006 regular season with a .347 batting average, edging the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter and Robinson Canó to win the American League batting title and become the first-ever American League catcher to win the crown and the first catcher to claim the title since Ernie Lombardi in 1942 with the Boston Braves. His .347 average was the highest in the Major Leagues, a feat not achieved by the previous three catchers to win NL batting titles. He was the youngest player to win a batting title since Alex Rodriguez in 1996. After going 2-for-4 in the last game of the 2006 regular season, Mauer confessed to reporters, "When I told you I wasn't thinking about the batting title? I was lying. I've never been that nervous in my life. I haven't felt anything like that since Opening Day as a rookie." Mauer won his first Silver Slugger Award in 2006, along with teammate Justin Morneau.{{cite web |date=November 10, 2006 |title=Red Sox LF Ramirez wins ninth Silver Slugger award |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656967 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509044159/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656967 |url-status=live }}

On February 11, 2007, Mauer agreed to a four-year, $34 million contract with the Twins to avoid arbitration. The deal ensured that Mauer would remain in Minnesota long enough to play in the Twins' Target Field in 2010.{{cite web |date=February 11, 2007 |title=Mauer, Twins avoid arbitration with four-year deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2762203 |work=ESPN |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109024426/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2762203 |url-status=live }} On July 21, Mauer hit his first career inside-the-park home run against Angels pitcher Scot Shields. It was his fifth home run of the season, and there were two players on base when he hit the homer. It was the first inside-the-park home run by a catcher since Kelly Stinnett did it for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005.{{cite web |date=July 21, 2007 |title=Mauer's inside-the-park HR Twin's first since 2001 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270721109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213002842/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270721109 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} Mauer finished the 2007 season batting .293 with seven home runs and 60 RBI in 109 games.

In 2008, Mauer became the first American League catcher to win the batting title twice when he led the AL with an average of .328. He also recorded nine home runs and 85 RBI in 146 games. On July 6, Mauer was announced as the starting catcher for the American League in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.{{cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=July 6, 2008 |title=Mauer earns first All-Star Game start |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080706&content_id=3076222&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111191928/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080706&content_id=3076222&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com |df=mdy-all}} Mauer underwent surgery for kidney obstruction on December 22. Mauer won his first Gold Glove award in 2008, announced on November 6.{{cite web |date=November 6, 2008 |title=Tampa Bay Ray first baseman Pena wins Gold Glove |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3686717 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109040236/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3686717 |url-status=live }} He finished fourth in the balloting for American League Most Valuable Player, behind Dustin Pedroia, Justin Morneau, and Kevin Youkilis.{{cite web|title=Youkilis finishes third in AL MVP race|work=MLB.com|date=November 18, 2008|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081118&content_id=3683501&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|access-date=November 19, 2008|archive-date=November 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111192116/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081118&content_id=3683501&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|url-status=live}}

=2009: MVP season=

In 2009, Mauer became the first catcher to lead the majors in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage in a single year, and the first player to lead the American League in all three since George Brett did so in 1980. Mauer's .365 average, which is the highest mark among catchers (with at least 3.1 plate appearances per game) since 1901, and the highest by a Twin since Rod Carew's .388 in 1977, led Major League Baseball.{{cite magazine |last=Marchman |first=Tim |date=July 23, 2009 |title=Mauer bids for best-hitting season by catcher |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_marchman/07/23/joe-mauer/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104201210/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_marchman/07/23/joe-mauer/index.html |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=CNN}} Mauer also won his second consecutive Gold Glove in 2009.{{cite web |date=November 10, 2009 |title=Rawlings announces 2009 Rawlings Gold Glove Award American League Winners |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20091110&content_id=7648898&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113081315/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20091110&content_id=7648898&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=November 13, 2009 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Mauer was named the American League's 2009 MVP by a near-unanimous decision (27 out of 28 first place votes).{{cite news |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Twins' Mauer wins American League MVP award |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE5AM40L20091123 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408094233/https://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE5AM40L20091123 |url-status=live }}

On March 11, Mauer was diagnosed with inflammation in the sacroiliac joint by team doctors following a magnetic resonance arthrogram. He was unable to take part in team workouts during spring training due to the pain in his lower back, which he first began experiencing late in the 2008 season.{{cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=March 11, 2009 |title=Mauer diagnosed with inflammation |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090311&content_id=3965946&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314074436/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090311&content_id=3965946&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=March 14, 2009 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Mauer missed the start of the 2009 regular season and returned on May 1. He went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored in his first game back, hitting a home run on his first swing of the season.{{cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=May 2, 2009 |title=Twins triumphant in Mauer's return |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090501&content_id=4514970&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508070716/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090501&content_id=4514970&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=May 8, 2009 |access-date=May 3, 2009 |work=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com |df=mdy-all}}

File:Joe Mauer (3512266722).jpg

After his return on May 1, Mauer had the best month of his career, batting .414 with 11 home runs and drove in 32 RBI in 28 May games, becoming the first-ever Twins player to reach that mark in a single month.{{Cite web |title=Joe Mauer 2009 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mauerjo01&t=b&year=2009 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080541/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mauerjo01&t=b&year=2009 |url-status=live }} During the week of May 18–24, Mauer led the major leagues in batting average at .458 (11-for-24), RBI with 13, and runs scored with 12, also hitting four home runs and accumulating 25 total bases. On May 26, he was named MLB Player of the Week for his performance.{{cite web |date=May 26, 2009 |title=Joe Mauer named AL player of the week for week ending May 24, 2009 |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090526&content_id=4961956&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605110342/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090526&content_id=4961956&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Through the month of May, Mauer led the major leagues in average at .414, on-base percentage at .500, and slugging percentage at .838, in addition to his home run and RBI totals, earning him his second Player of the Month Award honors.{{cite web |date=June 4, 2009 |title=Joe Mauer named AL player of the month for May |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090604&content_id=5145716&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605110353/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090604&content_id=5145716&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} Mauer appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated for a second time on June 24. An additional 25,000 copies of the magazine were sent to Minnesota for the occasion.{{cite web |last=Walsh |first=Paul |date=June 24, 2009 |title=Mauer, flirting with .400, grabs SI cover |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/48892457.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627050726/http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/48892457.html |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |access-date=July 29, 2010 |work=Star Tribune |quote=25,000 extra copies are being sent to Minnesota. |df=mdy-all}} He was selected to the 2009 MLB All-Star Game as the starting catcher and participated in the Home Run Derby, losing a tiebreaker to Albert Pujols in the first round.{{Cite magazine |date=July 13, 2009 |title=Prince steals show from Pujols, captures Home Run Derby crown |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2009/07/14/hr-derbygamer |access-date=April 8, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080540/https://www.si.com/mlb/2009/07/14/hr-derbygamer |url-status=live }}

The Twins trailed the Detroit Tigers by seven games in the American League Central division at the start of September, but rallied, winning 17 of their last 21 games to finish the season tied atop the division. On October 6, the Twins beat the Tigers 6–5 in Game 163, a 12-inning one-game playoff, to secure the division title.{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=AJ |date=October 6, 2009 |title=Twins-Yankees ALDS Preview, Pitching Matchups, and TV Schedule |url=http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/2009/10/twins-yankees-alds-preview-pitching-matchups-and-tv-schedule/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006213057/http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/2009/10/twins-yankees-alds-preview-pitching-matchups-and-tv-schedule/ |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=Midwest Sports Fans}} In 2009, Mauer led the American League in batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.444), slugging percentage (.587), and OPS (1.031), all of which were career-highs.{{cite web |date= |title=Joe Mauer Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=408045 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |archive-date=May 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519234428/http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=408045 |url-status=live }} Mauer became the first catcher to lead the league in all four offensive categories in a single season, and the first catcher to win three batting titles. At the time, he had won as many batting championships in a span of four years as all other Major League catchers in the history of baseball combined. Two National League catchers had won a total of three batting titles: Eugene "Bubbles" Hargrave in 1926, and Hall of Famer Ernie Lombardi in 1938 and 1942 (Buster Posey won his NL batting title in 2012).{{cite web |date= |title=Major League Baseball Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/ |access-date=December 26, 2010 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029025655/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martipa03.shtml |url-status=live }} Mauer also established career-highs in hits (191), home runs (28), RBIs (96), extra-base hits (59), total bases (307), bWAR (7.8, including 7.7 oWAR), and fWAR (8.4), as well as near-personal bests in every other offensive category across 138 games.

Facing the Yankees in the ALDS, Mauer continued to swing the bat well, recording five hits in 12 at-bats plus two walks, but the Twins were swept by the eventual World Series champions in three games. On October 29, Baseball America named Mauer its 2009 Major League Player of the Year.{{cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |date=October 29, 2009 |title=Mauer's Amazing Season Earns Player Of The Year Nod |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/awards/player-of-the-year/2009/269083.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124184005/http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/awards/player-of-the-year/2009/269083.html |archive-date=November 24, 2011 |access-date=September 21, 2010 |website=Baseball America}} On November 23, Mauer was named the 2009 American League Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers' Association of America over Yankees teammates Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter, earning 27 of the 28 first-place votes. This made Mauer the second catcher in 33 years to win the AL MVP.{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Twins' Mauer near-unanimous pick as AL's MVP |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4682842 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080541/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4682842 |url-status=live }} He also received both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award for the second year in a row.

=2010–2012=

On March 21, 2010, Mauer agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Twins worth $184 million which took effect in the 2011 and ran through the 2018 season.{{cite magazine |date=March 31, 2014 |title=Baseball's $100 Million Men |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/photos/2014/03/31/100-million-dollar-men-baseball |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622044521/https://www.si.com/mlb/photos/2014/03/31/100-million-dollar-men-baseball |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Kelsie |date=March 21, 2010 |title=Twins give Joe Mauer eight-year, $184 million contract extension |url=https://www.twincities.com/2010/03/21/twins-give-joe-mauer-eight-year-184-million-contract-extension/ |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |access-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622044211/https://www.twincities.com/2010/03/21/twins-give-joe-mauer-eight-year-184-million-contract-extension/ |url-status=live }} It was the richest contract paid to a catcher in the history of Major League Baseball.{{cite web |last=Spicer |first=Judd |date=March 22, 2010 |title=Joe Mauer signs 8-year/$184 million contract extension to stay with Twins |url=http://www.citypages.com/news/joe-mauer-signs-8-year-184-million-contract-extension-to-stay-with-twins-6560790 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622044355/http://www.citypages.com/news/joe-mauer-signs-8-year-184-million-contract-extension-to-stay-with-twins-6560790 |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |website=City Pages}} On July 26, 2010, Mauer hit a home run and drove in a career-high seven runs in the Twins' 19–1 win over the rival Kansas City Royals.{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2010 |title=Mauer, Twins chase Greinke to pummel Royals |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300726107 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080541/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300726107 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} He hit his 1,000th career Major League hit on September 14, 2010 against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2010 |title=Denard Span clears bases in 8th inning as Twins nip White Sox |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300914104 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408080541/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300914104 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

File:José López batting, Joe Mauer catching.jpg

Mauer underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after the 2010 season, and missed most of spring training due to a difficult recovery from the operation.{{cite news |date=June 2, 2011 |title=Joe Mauer catches three innings |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6620165 |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912013219/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6620165 |url-status=live }} After further difficulties during the first days of the season, he was placed on the disabled list immediately after the Twins' game on April 15.{{cite news |date=April 14, 2011 |title=Joe Mauer on DL with leg weakness |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6355793 |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111234754/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6355793 |url-status=live }} Team doctors believed his problem, termed a "bilateral leg weakness", was due to too light a workload during spring training.{{cite news |date=April 28, 2011 |title=No timetable for Joe Mauer's return |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6443405 |access-date=June 13, 2011}} Mauer returned to game action as a designated hitter in extended spring training on May 25,{{cite news |date=May 24, 2011 |title=Twins' Joe Mauer to rehab as DH |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6585095 |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023163358/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6585095 |url-status=live }} and made his first post-DL appearance as a catcher in another extended spring training game on June 2. The following week, he went on a further rehabilitation assignment to the Twins' Class A affiliate, the Fort Myers Miracle, a team managed by his older brother Jake. After Mauer caught several games with the Miracle, it was speculated he could return to the Twins as early as June 16 or 17, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire did not commit to a return date.{{cite news |date=June 12, 2011 |title=Joe Mauer could return this week |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=6654051 |access-date=June 13, 2011}} Mauer returned to play with the Twins on June 17, 2011 and received a standing ovation from the fans.{{cite news |author=Hult |first=Karla |date=June 17, 2011 |title=Twins fans give Mauer a standing ovation |work=KARE |url=http://www.kare11.com/news/article/927385/391/Twins-fans-give-Mauer-a-standing-ovation |url-status=dead |access-date=June 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127164812/http://www.kare11.com/news/article/927385/391/Twins-fans-give-Mauer-a-standing-ovation |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}

Mauer made his first Major League start at first base on July 7, 2011, in Chicago, where he turned the first ball hit to him into an unassisted double play. In all, he had 13 putouts and two assists and went 3-for-5 at the plate with 2 RBI in a 6–2 victory over the White Sox.{{cite web |author=Neal III |first=La Velle E. |date=July 8, 2011 |title=Mauer makes all the plays at first base |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/125191744.html |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=Star Tribune |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018150815/http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/125191744.html |url-status=live }} On August 18, 2011, Mauer played his first game in right field. He had three putouts and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in an 8–4 Twins loss against the New York Yankees.{{cite web |last=Bollinger |first=Rhett |date=August 18, 2011 |title=Mauer makes first career start in right field |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110818&content_id=23396292¬ebook_id=23396294&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107085133/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110818&content_id=23396292¬ebook_id=23396294&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}}

Mauer struggled the entire summer with various ailments, from complications due to surgery at the beginning of the season to a bout of pneumonia at the end of the season, and had undoubtedly the worst season of his career. He played in only 82 games all year (career 126 average per season, not counting the 35 games he played in 2004), batted only .287 (career .323), and caught only 52 games.{{cite web |title=Joe Mauer Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mauerjo01.shtml |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |archive-date=December 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203135043/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mauerjo01.shtml |url-status=live }} He hoped to return to form in 2012.{{cite web |date=December 3, 2011 |title=Twins' Joe Mauer healthy, excited for 2012 season |url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-12-03/twins-joe-mauer-healthy-excited-for-2012-season |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111195333/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-12-03/twins-joe-mauer-healthy-excited-for-2012-season |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=The Sporting News |publisher=AOL}}

At the start of spring training, Mauer expressed strong dissatisfaction with the previous season, saying "I've kind of been answering...questions [about last season] all winter, and it left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths, and mine included, but it's a new year, and as soon as we can forget about 2011, the better, and focus on not letting it happen again."{{cite web |last=Mackey |first=Phil |date=February 18, 2012 |title=Notebook: Twins players are 'just embarrassed' about 2011 |url=http://1500espn.com/sportswire/Notebook_Twins_players_are_just_embarrassed_about_2011021812 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025133034/http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Notebook_Twins_players_are_just_embarrassed_about_2011021812 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=1500 ESPN |df=mdy-all}} On July 1, it was announced that he would be headed for his fifth All-Star Game. Mauer's batting average was .325 in the first half of the season, including four homers and 36 RBI.{{cite web |date=July 1, 2012 |title=Mauer is Twins' lone All-Star |url=http://www.kare11.com/news/article/981567/396/Mauer-is-Twins-lone-All-Star |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127024821/http://www.kare11.com/news/article/981567/396/Mauer-is-Twins-lone-All-Star |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=KARE |agency=Associated Press |df=mdy-all}} By mid-July, Mauer had the second-highest batting average in the American League.{{cite web |date=July 18, 2012 |title=Joe Mauer, bullpen lead Twins past slumping Orioles |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320717109 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721171501/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=320717109 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} On August 27, Mauer played his 832nd game at catcher for the Twins, breaking a franchise record set by Earl Battey.{{cite web |last1=Bollinger |first1=Rhett |last2=Garretson |first2=Jordan |date=August 27, 2012 |title=Mauer sets franchise mark for games caught |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120827&content_id=37428244¬ebook_id=37432596&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831020336/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120827&content_id=37428244¬ebook_id=37432596&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min |archive-date=August 31, 2012 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com |df=mdy-all}}

=2013–2018=

File:Joe Mauer, Ichiro Suzuki - Minnesota Twins - Opening Day vs Seattle Mariners (40553970184) 2.jpg at first base in 2018]]

Mauer was the Twins' Opening Day catcher, with Ryan Doumit as his backup, and also saw time at first base and designated hitter. Through the first half, he hit .320 with eight home runs, 32 RBI and 50 runs including consecutive four-hit games against the Angels in April and a 15-game hitting streak from April 30 to May 18.{{Cite web |title=Joe Mauer 2013 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mauerjo01&t=b&year=2013 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409024543/https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mauerjo01&t=b&year=2013 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Joe Mauer 2013 Batting Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=mauerjo01&t=b&year=2013 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He was named to his sixth All-Star Game as the starting catcher. On August 20, Mauer went on the 7-day disabled list with concussion-like symptoms.{{Cite web |last=Silva |first=Drew |date=August 20, 2013 |title=Joe Mauer placed on 7-day concussion disabled list |url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/08/20/joe-mauer-placed-on-7-day-concussion-disabled-list/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409024545/https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2013/08/20/joe-mauer-placed-on-7-day-concussion-disabled-list/ |url-status=live }} In his absence, Doumit, Chris Herrmann and Josmil Pinto started at catcher. Mauer never returned to the line-up and his season ended after 113 games. For the season, he hit .324/.404/.476 with 11 home runs, 47 RBI, 62 runs, 35 doubles and 61 walks in 113 games, while earning the 2013 AL Silver Slugger Award at catcher. He and former Yankee Horace Clarke are the only hitters ever to break up three no-hitter bids in the ninth inning.{{cite web |last=Short |first=D.J. |date=May 25, 2013 |title=Joe Mauer has broken up three no-hitters in the ninth inning during his career |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/25/joe-mauer-has-broken-up-three-no-hitters-in-the-ninth-inning-during-his-career/ |website=NBC Sports |access-date=August 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222070527/http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/25/joe-mauer-has-broken-up-three-no-hitters-in-the-ninth-inning-during-his-career/ |url-status=live }}

After the 2013 season, the Twins announced that Mauer would permanently move to first base in order to protect their star player from further concussions and the day-to-day physical wear of being a major league catcher.{{cite web |date=November 11, 2013 |title=Catch you later: Twins moving Mauer to 1B |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9960329/minnesota-twins-moving-joe-mauer-first-base |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=January 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121161507/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9960329/minnesota-twins-moving-joe-mauer-first-base |url-status=live }} In 2014, Mauer played in 120 games, compiling a slash line of .277/.361/.371 with four home runs, 55 RBI, 60 runs, and 27 doubles.

Mauer struck out over 100 times for the first time in his career in 2015. He set career marks in games played (158), plate appearances (666) and at bats (592), while batting a career-low .261 with 10 home runs and 66 RBI in 134 games. However, his defense at first base improved, as he committed only two errors all season at first base.

Mauer started his 13th Opening Day in 2017, tying with Harmon Killebrew for the franchise record.{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Dave |date=April 4, 2017 |title=Sano, Santana steer Twins past Royals 7-1 to start season |language=en-US |work=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/bdfd95d0c7f24dd99c15a79971aac3b8/Sano,-Santana-steer-Twins-past-Royals-7-1-to-start-season |url-status=dead |access-date=April 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407054330/https://apnews.com/bdfd95d0c7f24dd99c15a79971aac3b8/Sano%2C-Santana-steer-Twins-past-Royals-7-1-to-start-season |archive-date=April 7, 2017}} For the season, Mauer batted .305 with seven home runs, 71 RBI and an .801 OPS in 141 games.

On April 12, 2018, Mauer became the 287th player in the history of Major League Baseball to collect 2,000 hits with a two-run seventh inning single off White Sox pitcher Aaron Bummer.{{cite web |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Twins Blank White Sox 4-0 behind Jose Berrios; Joe Mauer gets 2,000th hit |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=380412109 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}

In the ninth inning of the last game of the 2018 MLB season on September 30, 2018, at Target Field, amidst speculation that he would retire at the end of the year, Mauer made an appearance as catcher for the first time since his concussion in 2013, before being removed for backup Chris Gimenez after one pitch.{{cite tweet|number=1046522965855219712|user=Cut4|title=Now catching for the first time in 5 years & for possibly the last time in his career, #7, Joe Mauer. |accessdate=2018-09-30|language=en|date=September 30, 2018}} He exited to a standing ovation from the crowd and both dugouts. In his last season, he batted .282/.351/.379 with six home runs and 48 RBI in 127 games, and led all major league hitters with a batting average of .407 with runners in scoring position, and saw the highest percentage of fastballs of all MLB hitters (63.6%).{{cite web |title=Splits Leaderboards - FanGraphs |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/splits-leaderboards |website=FanGraphs |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918044720/https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/splits-leaderboards |url-status=live }}

{{MLBBioRet

| Image = JoeMauerTwins.png

| Name = Joe Mauer

| Number = 7

| Team = Minnesota Twins

| Year = 2019

}}

On November 9, 2018, Mauer officially retired from baseball in an open letter to Twins fans.{{Cite web |last=Bollinger |first=Rhett |date=November 9, 2018 |title=Mauer makes retirement from baseball official |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-mauer-announces-retirement/c-300522134 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |language=en |access-date=November 10, 2018 |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130440/https://www.mlb.com/news/joe-mauer-announces-retirement/c-300522134 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2018 |title=Mauer pens personal letter to fans |url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/fans/joe-mauer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109134527/https://www.mlb.com/twins/fans/joe-mauer |archive-date=November 9, 2021 |access-date=November 10, 2018 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com |language=en}} The Twins announced they would retire Mauer's No. 7 during the 2019 season,{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Brian |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Twins to retire Joe Mauer's number |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-to-retire-joe-mauers-number/c-301964818 |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219005141/https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-to-retire-joe-mauers-number/c-301964818 |url-status=live }} eventually setting the date as June 15.{{cite news |last=Helfand |first=Betsy |date=January 8, 2019 |title=Twins will retire Joe Mauer's number in June |newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press |url=https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/08/twins-to-retire-joe-mauers-number-in-june/ |access-date=February 10, 2019 |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011203/https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/08/twins-to-retire-joe-mauers-number-in-june/ |url-status=live }}

=MLB records=

Mauer holds the MLB single-season records for the highest single-season batting average for catchers (.365), which he set in 2009{{cite web |title=Batting Average Records by Baseball Almanac |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_bavg1.shtml |website=Baseball Almanac |access-date=May 4, 2014 |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914212020/https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_bavg1.shtml |url-status=live }} and the highest single-season on-base percentage for a catcher (.444),{{cite web |last1=Harrison |first1=Jonathan |title=Dan Patrick thinks Joe Mauer belongs in 'Hall of really good' |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/news/dan-patrick-thinks-joe-mauer-belongs-in-hall-of-really-good#:~:text=As%20a%20catcher%2C%20Mauer's%20career,a%20catcher%20in%20MLB%20history. |website=si.com |publisher=Sports Illustrated Media Group |access-date=2 February 2024 |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202203932/https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/news/dan-patrick-thinks-joe-mauer-belongs-in-hall-of-really-good#:~:text=As%20a%20catcher%2C%20Mauer's%20career,a%20catcher%20in%20MLB%20history. |url-status=live }} which he also set in 2009.{{cite web |last1=Lacques |first1=Gabe |title=MVP catcher Joe Mauer is looking like a Hall of Fame lockMVP catcher Joe Mauer is looking like a Hall of Fame lock |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/hallfame/2024/01/15/joe-mauer-hall-of-fame-voting-tracker-minnesota-twins/72174625007/ |website=usatoday.com |publisher=Gannett |access-date=2 February 2024 |archive-date=February 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202203932/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/hallfame/2024/01/15/joe-mauer-hall-of-fame-voting-tracker-minnesota-twins/72174625007/ |url-status=live }} His career on-base percentage is the highest among major league catchers with a minimum of 500 games played.{{cite web |author=Axisa |first=Mike |date=January 1, 2014 |title=Leaderboarding: Best hitting catchers in baseball history |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/leaderboarding-best-hitting-catchers-in-baseball-history/ |accessdate=June 2, 2022 |website=CBS Sports |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602121704/https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/leaderboarding-best-hitting-catchers-in-baseball-history/ |url-status=live }} Mauer is also the first AL catcher to win a batting title{{cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |title=Mauer wins historic AL batting title |url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/1694295// |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312170618/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/1694295// |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} and holds the record for the most batting titles by a catcher in a career (3).{{cite web |last=Gleeman |first=Aaron |date=June 15, 2015 |title=What happened to Joe Mauer? |url=https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2015/06/what-happened-joe-mauer |website=MinnPost |access-date=February 23, 2017 |archive-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224052024/https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2015/06/what-happened-joe-mauer |url-status=live }}

=Career statistics=

In 1,858 games over 15 seasons, Mauer posted a .306 batting average (2,123-for-6,930) with 1,018 runs, 428 doubles, 30 triples, 143 home runs, 923 RBIs, 939 bases on balls, .388 on-base percentage and .439 slugging percentage. He finished his career with a .995 fielding percentage at catcher and .996 fielding percentage at first base. Mauer had five career five-hit games and 23 four-hit games in his MLB career.{{cite web |title=Joe Mauer top performances at retrosheet.org |url=https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/PX_mauej001.htm |access-date=September 12, 2022 |website=Retrosheet |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912122123/https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/PX_mauej001.htm |url-status=live }}

=National Baseball Hall of Fame=

Mauer became eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024. He received 293 votes, 76.1% of the total, enough to be enshrined on his first ballot. He was just the third catcher to be elected on his first ballot, after Johnny Bench and Iván Rodríguez. Additionally, he became the fourth first overall draft pick to be inducted, after Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, and Harold Baines. Mauer was also the first Hall of Famer to play his entire career in the 21st century and the first to be drafted in that century.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39372743/adrian-beltre-joe-mauer-todd-helton-baseball-hall-fame|title=Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, Joe Mauer into Baseball Hall of Fame|work=ESPN|date=January 23, 2024|first=Alden|last=Gonzalez|accessdate=January 23, 2024|archive-date=February 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204135744/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39372743/adrian-beltre-joe-mauer-todd-helton-baseball-hall-fame|url-status=live}}

International career

Mauer was selected as a catcher and first baseman for Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Other work

File:Joe Mauer-swing-Metrodome-20060611.jpg, Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]]

Mauer modeled for Perry Ellis in the 2004–05 off-season, and is featured in television commercials for Head & Shoulders, Pepsi, ESPN, Fox Sports Net, PlayStation 3, Gatorade and my29.{{cite web |author=Passan |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Passan |date=July 1, 2009 |title=Mauer's best rap is with a bat |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=At3cTRgKkkFmbF43J9Cm_WoRvLYF?slug=jp-mauer070109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns |website=Yahoo! Sports}}

Mauer's family manufactured and sold a product called Joe Mauer's Quickswing. Invented by Mauer's father, the device allows kids to practice hitting on their own.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNv7NF7Mpw |title=Joe Mauer's Quickswing Batting Aid |date=June 13, 2006 |publisher=YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418184732/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNv7NF7Mpw |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=April 18, 2021 }}

Mauer's Quickswing Camp is held annually in the winter at a St. Paul area college. The camp teaches youth the basics of batting skills. Mauer taped an episode of Homecoming with Rick Reilly for ESPN on January 27, 2010, at Cretin-Derham Hall High School, his alma mater, in St. Paul, Minnesota. The episode aired on April 12, 2010.

Mauer appeared in a TV commercial for Explore Minnesota, the state tourism agency, in March 2011.{{cite web |date=March 23, 2011 |title=Explore Minnesota's New TV Spot |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hkp_KNT_e0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729125802/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hkp_KNT_e0 |archive-date=July 29, 2013 |website=YouTube}}

Video games

Mauer was the cover athlete for Sony Computer Entertainment's MLB 10: The Show and MLB 11: The Show game for the PlayStation platform.{{cite web |date=December 18, 2009 |title=MLB 10 The Show Cover Athlete & First Details |url=http://stickskills.com/news/621/mlb-10-the-show-cover-athlete-first-details/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110095226/http://www.stickskills.com/news/621/mlb-10-the-show-cover-athlete-first-details/ |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |website=Stick Skills |df=mdy-all}}

The game's tagline, "Well played, Mauer", used by actor Jerry Lambert (playing the role of fictional vice president Kevin Butler) in television commercials promoting the game (in the ad, Mauer and Butler were playing MLB 11 and Mauer hits a home run to deep right field), was mimicked by Twins announcer Dick Bremer during a game versus the visiting Kansas City Royals on June 10, 2010. Royals outfielder Mitch Maier fouled back a pitch from Twins pitcher Brian Duensing. The ball traveled over the protective net behind the home plate area. Mauer tracked the ball, reached around the screen, and caught it, leading Bremer to exclaim, "Did he catch that? Oh, well played, Mauer!" The catch is featured in MLB 11: The Show's "Joe Mauer" introductory vignette.{{cite web |last1=Thesier |first1=Kelly |last2=Syrstad |first2=Jocelyn |date=June 11, 2010 |title=Mauer makes fantastic grab vs. Royals |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100610&content_id=11058226&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613034210/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100610&content_id=11058226&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=June 13, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

Mauer appeared as a playable pro in Backyard Baseball 2009.{{cite web |author= |date=June 10, 2008 |title=Backyard Baseball 2009 (video game) |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/backyard-baseball-2009/61-20893/ |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=Giant Bomb |archive-date=October 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023141008/http://www.giantbomb.com/backyard-baseball-2009/61-20893/ |url-status=live }}

Personal life

Mauer shared a house with former Twins teammate Justin Morneau in Saint Paul, Minnesota, during the 2006 season.{{cite web |author=Souhan |first=Jim |date=August 10, 2006 |title=Morneau, Mauer share a lot – but not MVP award |url=http://www.startribune.com/150/story/608211.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822150916/http://www.startribune.com/150/story/608211.html |archive-date=August 22, 2006 |website=Star Tribune |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |author=Williams |first=Jason |date=January 28, 2007 |title=A busy Joe |url=http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/baseball/16562867.htm |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |access-date=January 28, 2007 |archive-date=February 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211075221/http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/baseball/16562867.htm |url-status=dead }}

File:Joe Mauer (2677886206) (cropped).jpg Mauer wore long sideburns throughout his big league career, and on August 10, 2006, the Twins held "Joe Mauer Sideburns Night" in his honor. The first 10,000 fans were given synthetic sideburns with double-sided tape to share in Mauer's trademark look.{{cite web |date=July 18, 2006 |title=Minnesota Twins announce Mauer sideburns giveaway |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060718&content_id=1562366&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007215326/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060718&content_id=1562366&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=October 7, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2010 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com |df=mdy-all}}

On December 11, 2011, Mauer announced his engagement to Saint Paul nurse Maddie Bisanz, his girlfriend of about 18 months and a fellow graduate of Cretin-Derham Hall High School. The couple was married on December 1, 2012, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Saint Paul. Justin Morneau was a groomsman.{{cite web |date=December 11, 2011 |title=Joe Mauer Proposed To His Girlfriend |url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/12/11/joe-mauer-engaged/ |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=CBS News |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028233145/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/12/11/joe-mauer-engaged/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=January 12, 2012 |title=KFAN on FoxSportsNorth.com created by fsnorth |url=http://www.snappytv.com/snaps/joe-mauer-is-off-the-market-joe-mauer-talks-to-paul-allen-a-about-kfan-on-foxsportsnorthcom |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111191538/http://www.snappytv.com/snaps/joe-mauer-is-off-the-market-joe-mauer-talks-to-paul-allen-a-about-kfan-on-foxsportsnorthcom |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=SnappyTV}}{{cite web |author= |date=December 2, 2012 |title=Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer marries |url=http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22107751/minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-marries |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |archive-date=December 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204200700/http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22107751/minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-marries? |url-status=live }} The Mauers' twin daughters were born on July 24, 2013.{{cite tweet|user=morsecode|author=Dustin Morse|number=360041090964926464|date=24 July 2013|title=Congrats to Maddie & Joe Mauer on their new baby girls - Emily & Maren Mauer! Born early this morning & Joe made it back! #MauerTwins}}{{cite tweet|number=360112283176812546|user=morsecode|title=Joe Mauer got to the hospital at 3:05 am & his girls - Maren Virginia & Emily Teresa were born 30 minutes later. #MauerTwins #MNTwins|author=Dustin Morse|date=July 24, 2013}} On November 14, 2018, they welcomed a son.{{cite web |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Joe Mauer Adds Baby Boy To Family Roster |url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/11/14/joe-mauer-has-baby-boy/ |website=CBS News}}

In 2012, Mauer bought a house in Sunfish Lake, Minnesota, a Saint Paul suburb.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2013 |title=Joe Mauer's House in Sunfish Lake, MN (Google Maps) (#2) |url=https://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/joe-mauers-house-1/view/google/ |access-date=June 1, 2017 |website=Virtual Globetrotting |language=en |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605180815/http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/joe-mauers-house-1/view/google/ |url-status=live }}

=Relatives=

In the 2001 draft, the Twins also selected Joe's older brother Jake in the 23rd round (677th overall).{{Cite web |title=23rd Round of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2001&draft_round=23&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=April 9, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409024546/https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2001&draft_round=23&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |url-status=live }} Jake played at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul. Some observers concluded that this was an attempt to induce Joe to sign a contract, but Mike Radcliff, the scouting director of the Twins, denied this.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/01draft/2001-06-06-mauer-brother.htm|title=Twins selected Mauer's brother in 23rd round|work=USA Today|date=June 6, 2001}} Jake Mauer ended his playing career after the 2005 season but went on to manage the Gulf Coast League Twins (Rookie-level). After winning the GCL South with the Twins in 2009, Jake moved up to the High-A Fort Myers Miracle and managed the team for two seasons. Following the Twins' agreement to add the Cedar Rapids Kernels as the team's Low-A affiliate in November 2012, Mauer was named the team's manager.{{cite web |date=December 9, 2012 |title=Minnesota Twins hire Doug Mientkiewicz as Class A manager |url=http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22163295/minnesota-twins-hire-doug-mientkiewicz-class-manager |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |access-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111191131/http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22163295/minnesota-twins-hire-doug-mientkiewicz-class-manager |url-status=live }}

Mauer's other brother, Billy, signed with the Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2003 and pitched in the organization for three seasons before chronic shoulder problems forced him to retire from the game. He ended his minor league career with a 3–4 record and 3.66 earned run average (ERA) in 43 games. Billy now owns Mauer Chevrolet and Mauer Buick GMC, auto dealerships in the Twin Cities suburb of Inver Grove Heights.{{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.mauerchev.com/about.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422053909/http://www.mauerchev.com/about.shtml |archive-date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=June 27, 2010 |website=Mauer Chevrolet |df=mdy-all}}

Joe's father, Jake Mauer II developed the Mauer Quickswing, a hitting aid for players. Along with his brothers Billy and Jake and Baseball Hall of Fame player Paul Molitor (who would eventually become manager of the Twins for Joe's final four seasons before retirement) Joe appeared in promotional videos for the equipment.{{Citation |title=Joe Mauer's Quickswing Batting Aid |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNv7NF7Mpw |access-date=2023-05-03 |language=en |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418184732/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNv7NF7Mpw |url-status=live }} In January 2023, Jake Mauer II died from lung cancer and Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome.{{Cite web |title=Obituary for Donald 'Jake' Mauer, Jr. |url=https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000448117/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=Star Tribune |language=en |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503205431/https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/0000448117/ |url-status=live }}

Joe's cousin, Ken Mauer, is a former referee in the NBA. Another cousin, Mark Mauer, is a former college football coach and player.