SI: The guy who struck out Joe Mauer in high school

[Seth Stohs]

Paul Feiner doesn't really like to talk about it a lot, but he is the one pitcher who struck out Joe Mauer in high school. The Elk River alum struck out Mauer in a state tournament game in 2000. Sports Illustrated talked to him for this story. We've likely heard it before ,but it's still fun. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I was sitting in a bar one night with the Twins game on, talking to some guys, when this topic came up.

 

They had already mentioned they had played against Mauer in that high school tournament. I told them I was amazed that Mauer apparently had struck out only once in his entire Cretin high school career. 

 

When I mentioned that Mauer struck out only once, they both said without hesitation: "on a foul tip."  

 

Don't know if it's true or not but makes the story a little better.

[Platoon]

I had always heard that he was called out on a bad 3rd strike call. I have no proof of that, but it was always the story I had heard. My son played ing that tourney for another team, and wanted to stay and watch Mauer. But I had to get back for work. That might have been a mistake?

[D. Hocking]

I have also heard foul tip in the past.

 

I thought it was an interesting twist that he was in a pitching duel for much of the game --- with Mauer as the other pitcher.