Star Tribune continues to lift the restrictions on things usually left unsaid

[jokin]

"Mauer booed, Twins' offensive struggles continue"

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/261032391.html

 

The StarTribune is continuing their recent campaign of more pointed Twins coverage, this time employing a byline from a new cub reporter with the very interesting name of Master Tesfatsion. Give the reporter credit for getting the story out and asking Joe the tough questions, and also give credit to Mauer for manning up, offering no excuses, and dealing with the matter straight on. (This little story offers quite a contrast to Jim Souhan, who wrote standard apologist fodder for Mauer's recent woes just over a week ago):

 

 

“Runs were at a premium and it was tough,” Mauer said. “I’m probably a lot more frustrated than those people that were booing.”

Mauer is 8-for-32 over his past eight games. During this series, he’s 2-for-12 with one RBI.

“I’m feeling pretty good actually, which is even more frustrating,” Mauer said. “I’m hitting a lot of balls hard and just not having much to show for it. Hopefully that turns here soon.”

[DaveW]

Anyone who would boo Mauer is a freaking idiot.

[Mike Sixel]

Or, they were booing an at bat, not his entire career. Sports are entertainment, fans can do what they want, and should not, imo, be judged on how they are a fan. YMMV, of course.

 

And, I don't think the STrib has even come close to the depth of "outrage" that other major papers would have by now.

[Beezer07]

Or, they were booing an at bat, not his entire career. Sports are entertainment, fans can do what they want, and should not, imo, be judged on how they are a fan. YMMV, of course.

 

And, I don't think the STrib has even come close to the depth of "outrage" that other major papers would have by now.

 

I am personally tired of "outrage" at every little thing. Surely people aren't so emotional as to need to become wildly upset at every opportunity. I'm glad the STrib has "showed restraint" in this area.

[Mike Sixel]

I am indifferent on the STrib's commentary, I was just pointing out that they are still awfully gentle on this team, imo, compared to what other papers would be doing.

[JB_Iowa]

I am personally tired of "outrage" at every little thing. Surely people aren't so emotional as to need to become wildly upset at every opportunity. I'm glad the STrib has "showed restraint" in this area.

 

I don't think it is surprising that Mauer was booed. I don't know if I'd call it outrage or frustration (and it sounds like he was frustrated himself).

 

He has a line of .194/.380/.389/.769 with RISP in 2014. For his career, he has a line of .330/.452/.477/.929.

 

So he has a pretty substantial drop-off this year. It isn't surprising that people would boo when he doesn't come through in the late innings with runners on base.

 

 

And little posts like this one from Phil Mackey aren't going to quell the booing:

 

 

• Phil Mackey ‏@PhilMackey 47m
  Per @Fangraphs, Mauer has been worth $500,000 so far this year. He was worth $26 million and $22m in 2013 and 2012. (D and position matter)
  

[jokin]

Tyler Mason @FSNtylermason · 50m

I asked Joe Mauer this morning if his back was still bothering him. His answer was was a clear "No." #MNTwins

 

Tyler Mason carrying the workload for the early-morning pregame Mauer updates.

[jokin]

Tyler Mason @FSNtylermason · 19m

Joe Mauer today: "It's been frustrating. I've had some good at-bats and hit the ball hard. It seems like I'm hitting it at people."

[jokin]

Tyler Mason @FSNtylermason · 1m

More Gardy on Mauer: "The expectations are very high for him. People get frustrated. I just don't want Joe to get frustrated."

 

​A little (mini-)crisis management going on?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Tyler Mason @FSNtylermason · 19m

Joe Mauer today: "It's been frustrating. I've had some good at-bats and hit the ball hard. It seems like I'm hitting it at people."

 

I immediately dismissed this comment as lazy excuse-making but then I looked at the stats.

 

Here's a weird one for you:

 

Joe Mauer is posting a career high LD% in 2014 at 28.6%.

 

Double-U. Tee. Eff.

[jokin]

I immediately dismissed this comment as junk but then I looked at the stats.

 

Here's a weird one for you:

 

Joe Mauer is posting a career high LD% in 2014 at 28.6%.

 

Double-U. Tee. Eff.

 

There's an article needing to be written on the shifts being employed on Mauer. He must have already lost close to 10 doubles from LFers hugging the line on him and routinely catching those screaming liners that used to roll all the way to the wall....

[nicksaviking]

I am personally tired of "outrage" at every little thing. Surely people aren't so emotional as to need to become wildly upset at every opportunity. I'm glad the STrib has "showed restraint" in this area.

 

Outrage may not be the best word, but one would have to be a pretty passive fan to not be disappointed and upset that their team is in a four year relationship with losing.

 

Emotionless and passiveness are not two of the better upper midwest behavioral stereotypes.

 

Still, I think booing is dumb and says more about the fan that it does about the player.

 

In my book, booing means "I want attention for my displeasure and I'll do it loud enough so everyone can hear and appreciate me!" Or "Well, everyone else is doing it!"

 

Go home and watch your reality TV shows, you're their target audience.

[Brock Beauchamp]

There's an article needing to be written on the shifts being employed on Mauer. He must have already lost close to 10 doubles from LFers hugging the line on him and routinely catching those screaming liners that used to roll all the way to the wall....

 

Good point. I'd love to read that study.

 

Parker Hageman. Paging Parker Hageman.

[TheLeviathan]

Booing shows passion. It could be far worse. (Indifference)

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

There's an article needing to be written on the shifts being employed on Mauer. He must have already lost close to 10 doubles from LFers hugging the line on him and routinely catching those screaming liners that used to roll all the way to the wall....

 

From the few games I've seen, I have seen Mauer hit a couple line drives to left fielders practically standing on the foul line. I've seen Kubel hit a ground ball directly at a shifted infielder every time he puts a ball in play. It makes you wonder if there isn't anything you can do about it as a hitter (besides bunting). You can't really call it unlucky when it happens over and over.

[kydoty]

The booing seemed more directed at the team's offense in general, which is completely justifiable as they have been dreadful over the last couple of weeks.

[Guest USAFChief]

From the few games I've seen, I have seen Mauer hit a couple line drives to left fielders practically standing on the foul line. I've seen Kubel hit a ground ball directly at a shifted infielder every time he puts a ball in play. It makes you wonder if there isn't anything you can do about it as a hitter (besides bunting). You can't really call it unlucky when it happens over and over.

In the case of Mauer, I think he could look for pitches to pull rather than starting so many PAs with two strikes.

[jokin]

In the case of Mauer, I think he could look for pitches to pull rather than starting so many PAs with two strikes.

 

In every Mauer PA, there are plenty of pullable pitches, and now, many RFers are literally playing 100 feet off of the RF line, as if he's a slow-bat-speed pitcher at the plate. Time for a video session or two, come to grips with the new realities of the Mauer shifts, and then a rethinking of Joe's usual delayed-swing philosophy.

[notoriousgod71]

There's an article needing to be written on the shifts being employed on Mauer. He must have already lost close to 10 doubles from LFers hugging the line on him and routinely catching those screaming liners that used to roll all the way to the wall....

 

Listening to Dick talk about how often he is getting robbed of a sure double is getting old though. He's not getting robbed if he hits it right at the left fielder. How many hits do you think Ortiz has been "robbed" of during his career because he hit it right at the 2b that's roaming the outfield?

[TBo45]

The problem with Mauer trying to pull more is if you throw him anything offspeed low it's almost a guaranteed ground ball to second base. He had a BABIP of .383 last year so I think him being "robbed" more is just regression to the mean.

[clutterheart]

Taylor owns the Twins now. Its his in interest for fans to be outraged over the twins. Keeps the heat off the TV Wolves

[Kwak]

Taylor owns the Twins now. Its his in interest for fans to be outraged over the twins. Keeps the heat off the TV Wolves

 

No, Taylor does not own the Twins. (Though, he just made a mountain of unrealized profit by the ridiculous price Balmer paid for the Clippers.)

 

This same shift was employed by Oakland in the '06 playoffs and basically rendered Mauer useless as a hitter. Of couse the are "adjustments"--and most LH batters do try to pull the ball. True, they can be more strikeouts--but there will be more hits, and extra-base hits, since there are only two OFers to cover 85% of the field. What the LH taketh away, the RH gives back. But this does involve Mauer taking a different approach to hitting--and few are willing to change their swing given consideable success. Golfers have done it, BB players probably not so much.