MINNEAPOLIS — Almost immediately after former Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer hung up his cleats, the debate began: Is he bound for Cooperstown?
When healthy, Mauer was one of the best catchers in the game, and his three Gold Gloves can prove it. His command at the plate was unprecedented – the only catcher to win three batting titles – and he's among only a few backstops in history to have ever won an MVP.
In his 15 seasons, all with the Twins, Mauer carved out a pretty impressive career, and on Tuesday, the baseball writers agreed.
Mauer will be enshrined this summer in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mauer, making his first bid for the Hall, received 293 votes for 76.1%, making him just the third catcher to get in on his first try. The other members of the 2024 Hall of Fame class are fellow first-timer Adrián Beltré, Todd Helton and Jim Leyland.
"I just have the utmost respect for the hall of fame, the players that went in ahead of me and done great things," Mauer told the MLB Network following the announcement. "I'm just so kind of all over the place with emotions, but I can't wait to get there and show my kids some of the history of this great game."
Mauer will be enshrined on July 21, making him the fourth St. Paul native to reach Cooperstown, N.Y., following in the footsteps of Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor, and Jack Morris.
"We all played down at Oxford playground, Jimmy Lee Rec Center — we all grew up in that city block, really — it's really amazing," Mauer said during a Zoom call following the announcement. "I don't think it's sunk in yet, I just can't wait to celebrate and really celebrate with St. Paul, Minnesota. It's a special community."
Growing up a multi-sport athlete, Mauer garnered attention not only on the diamond but also on the football field and basketball court. He was the 2001 Gatorade National Player of the Year as a quarterback at Cretin-Derham Hall and committed to play football at Florida State. His gridiron days, however, came to an end when the Twins selected him first overall in the 2001 MLB Draft.
In his 15 years, Mauer was a six-time All-Star, won the Silver Slugger Award five times, captured three batting titles, three Gold Gloves and was the AL MVP in 2009. In that span, he was among the best catchers in the game before shifting over to first base due to injuries. He threw on the catcher's gear one last time in his final game on Sept. 30, 2018, capping a career that would eventually land him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“On behalf of the Pohlad family and the entire Minnesota Twins organization it is our absolute pleasure to congratulate Joe Mauer on his deserved first-ballot election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” Twins President & CEO Dave St. Peter said in a statement. “Few people have embodied the values and spirit of the Minnesota Twins like Joe Mauer; from the moment his name was called on draft day in 2001, Joe has been a true hometown hero and a cornerstone of our organization. His humility, leadership, kindness and care for others, paired with his unparalleled excellence on the diamond, have made him a role model for generations of youth across our region.
"Today is a special day – for the Mauer family, for the Twins and for all of Twins Territory.”
Mauer said he was with family when he received the call telling him he'd been voted into the hall of fame, saying he had to sneak into his office to escape the growing number of people showing up at his home in anticipation.
"Definitely thrilled to get that call," Mauer said. "Very emotional. Obviously leading up to today you reflect on all the people that have had an impact on your career and who you are as a man."
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