The Season That Bested Them All: Joe Mauer’s 2009

[Ted Schwerzler]

This weekend Joe Mauer is scheduled to be enshrined in Cooperstown. Voted in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, the Minnesota Twins legend had plenty of memorable moments throughout his career. The 2009 season alone was more than many players experienced throughout the entirety of their playing days.

 

Going into 2009, Joe Mauer had already been in the big leagues for five years. He had a pair of All-Star Game selections, two Silver Slugger awards, and he had just won his first Gold Glove. None of that was enough to foreshadow what he was about to do. 

Playing in 138 games, Mauer won his third batting title while hitting a career-best .365. He posted a 1.031 OPS while hitting 28 home runs, a number 15 higher than he had ever previously achieved. His 191 hits were a career-best, and he parlayed the outburst into significant opportunity. Landing on the cover of MLB The Show, he also signed an eight-year, $184 million contract extension to stay with the Twins.

Looking back at it, Mauer’s 2009 season was among the greatest to ever happen in a Twins uniform. By fWAR, only Rod Carew and Joe Cronin have had better years in franchise history. What games stood out along the way though?

May 17 @ New York
Minnesota lost this game in extras, and Mauer was just 2-for-4 with a pair of measly singles. However, he made arguably the greatest defensive play of his career in this contest. Francisco Cervelli's comebacker off the glove of Jose Mijares was fielded by Mauer. He pump faked a throw to first and chase down Brett Gardner with a dive at home. In a tie game, during the ninth inning, Mauer made his mark.

May 21 @ Chicago
In an early-season laugher, the Twins bludgeoned the White Sox for 20 runs. Mauer had a team-high six RBI. He roped a pair of doubles and homered off a pitcher named Jimmy Gobble. Bartolo Colon was the opposing starter in the contest and Michael Cuddyer made hay with four hits of his own.

May 23 vs Milwaukee
Going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, Mauer was a menace for Brewers pitching. He blasted a fifth inning home run against Braden Looper, and his six total bases led Minnesota. Driving in a pair and drawing a walk, it was as close to perfection as it gets. 44 games into the season, he was hitting .429.

June 16 vs Pittsburgh
Going 4-for-4, Mauer was still hitting .429 through the season’s first 66 games. Just one of his base hits went for extra bases, a double off Jeff Karstens. He scored a pair of runs and drove in one that night. Minnesota trounced a mediocre Pirates squad by an 8-2 tally.

July 24 @ Anaheim
The first multi-homer game of his season, Mauer went deep twice in California. He was just 2-for-4 on the evening, but he got John Lackey both times. Each of the home runs were solo shots and Minnesota’s three runs weren’t enough to take down an Angels team that ultimately went to the American League Championship Series.

August 4 @ Cleveland
Mauer was known much more as a doubles hitter throughout his career as opposed to hitting dingers. This was an extreme example in which he put up a season-high three two-baggers. The Twins cashed him in each time he got on base, and Mauer brought a run home himself. Among those to feel his wrath were infamous Guardians broadcaster Jensen Lewis. Minnesota won 10-1.

August 13 vs Kansas City
A Thursday afternoon game, Mauer contributed a season-high .309 WPA. His fifth inning home run off Gil Meche brought the Twins within one. Ultimately they couldn’t scratch a run across against Joakim Soria and fell 5-4, but Mauer was 2-for-4 on the day and also recorded a double. His four RBI were the second highest total of the season.

August 18 @ Texas
Facing a solid Rangers team, Mauer posted the second of two multi-home run games. He went 3-for-5 during the game while taking Jason Jennings and Scott Feldman deep. The home runs drove in three and the Twins won 9-6. Delmon Young also went deep, and it was just the next year that Josh Hamilton won the MVP award.

Of course the year ended in heartbreak, and Phil Cuzzi gave us the double heard round the world. New York knocked the Twins out of the postseason with a 3-0 series sweep, but Mauer will forever have his MVP.

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[arby58]

That may well be the greatest season for a catcher in modern baseball history. The excellence both at bat and in the field was remarkable. Hitting .365 as a catcher, given all the wear and tear throughout the year, is phenomenal. When combined with a 1.031 OPS, I'm shocked he wasn't a unanimous selection for MVP (he only missed by one first place vote).

[Jeff K]

21 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I distinctly recall the NY play of him tagging out Gardner.  The amount of ground he covered and the time it took him to cover it was amazing especially for a catcher.  I'll never forget that one and hope they have that video in the HOF when guests come to visit and see his plaque.

A mind boggling play and the way he laid out to make the tag; wow!  And you have to believe that play will be included in the ceremony.