ST. PAUL, Minn. - Before Joe Mauer tore up the base path at Target Field, the St. Paul native honed his skill set on the fields at Cretin-Derham Hall.
The Twins' first baseman was a three-sport star for the Raiders.During his three seasons on the varsity team, Mauer never hit below .542 and struck out once in his high-school career. Mauer hit .605 during his senior season and tied the national prep record by hitting home run in seven straight games. He also caught for the Team USA Junior National team. Mauer was selected first overall in the 2001 draft by the Twins.
Mauer excelled on the diamond and the football field. He amassed over 5,500 yards and 73 touch downs in two seasons as the starting quarterback for the Raiders. Mauer led Cretin to two consecutive Class 5A championship games and helped win the state championship in 1999. He was named the 2001 Gatorade National Player of the Year but turned down a football scholarship from Florida State to enter the MLB draft.
Mauer also spent three seasons on the varsity basketball team. After averaging 9.0 points per game as a sophomore, he averaged 20.0 points per game during his final two seasons on the squad. Mauer was named to the All-State team during that stretch.
