Hey Rickie, Thanks for your apology. It is not necessary though. You were just playing baseball to the best of your ability. Maybe the collision scenario was a bit unorthodox, but what the hey - things happen. If I sounded put off by it in my after game comments, I apologize. I was frustrated by being injured on the play and felt that this injury might keep me out for a handful of games.

As you know, I am from St. Paul and I share the same passion as our Twins fans do - as I am a Huge Twins Fan. It kills me to miss games with an injury - I want to be out there competing, I want to turn this dead horse of a season around.

I make a lot of money and I know because of this I will be scrutinized for this as long as I wear a Twins Uniform, but it certainly doesn't mean I do not care. Hell, I might care more than anyone - this is my town, and a lot of people have pinned their hopes on me to help bring them another World Series Championship... this weighs on me.

I might not have the biggest and in your face personality, I might not seem to be the leader that fans think I should be, I am a pretty reserved person - not too many highs or lows - I am even keel.

Rickie, who the hell are you to call me out for being injured? In 8 seasons you have only had 3 seasons with 500 plate appearances. You are the definition of an injured ball player - you are Mr. Glass. It might have meant more coming from a player who actually is durable.

Ricky, you have an all-star game or 2 under your belt and congrats for that. I am the only catcher in MLB history to win 3 Batting Titles, I have won an MVP and I have won more than a few Gold Gloves.

The analysts/scouts have always said I could not be a long term catcher because of my height/size. I am now feeling that they might be right. I like playing catcher and I take pride in being the best I can be and maybe I have held on too long because of my contract. I don't want to let down the fans.

Maybe next year I will play one of the corner OF positions or 1B. It will not be 3B as Plouffe has entrenched himself as a difference maker and power hitter that this line-up needs.

Hey, this year is not said and done yet. Maybe my bat will get hot and I will challenge for a 4th batting title. I can assure Twins fans this. I may never win another batting title again, but I will be in the hunt for many years to come!

finally, a fan that gets it. Thank you for a realistic recap of Mauer for the fans who demand 50 homers, 120 RBI and 162 games played from the guy just because he is being paid more money than he was a few years ago.

One edit, though: Mauer wouldn't say "hell." I would change it to "H E Double Hockey Sticks."

One edit, though: Mauer wouldn't say "hell." I would change it to "H E Double Hockey Sticks."

Good post Bark.

finally, a fan that gets it. Thank you for a realistic recap of Mauer for the fans who demand 50 homers, 120 RBI and 162 games played from the guy just because he is being paid more money than he was a few years ago.

A LOT more money...

I can't speak for the op on the other thread but as far as my comment goes I was kidding for the most part. Most catchers are like old chevy pickups, beat up, banged up, and still keep running. As a Twins fan I've gotten used to Joe being more like a Ferarri, it's gonna take a few more days and a few more bucks before you get him runnin again. I don't expect Joe to put up unrealistic numbers and I don't at all feel bad for thinking he's higher maintenance than most. I think he's proven that.

By high maintenance I mean physically not personality wise.

I agree cr9617, it is a LOT more money, but paying a guy more doesn't make him a better player. If you get a raise at work, you don't all of a sudden become better at whatever it is you do.

Boney, I agree on the Ferrari analogy. I'd rather have him take an extra day or two on injuries and get as close to 100% as possible and prolong his career and keep his production high. I don't understand why people want him to grind through every injury until his body is destroyed and he turns into that beat up Chevy. Beat up Chevy's are everywhere, Ferrari's are not.

Thanks, I think I probably stole that from someone else. I'd rather have a Ferrari myself, on the highway but I'd much rather have a Chevy truck in the mud. Maybe the best way to keep Joe out of the shop is to keep him away from catching full time.

I should have said away from catching at all not full time since he's already playing other positions.

Great article Mr. Lounge. Before Mauer retires from catching, I would like to see him give payback to Mr. Weeks by clocking him the next time he tries to make contact.