‘Gonna Be a Chilly One This Weekend,’ Observes Mauer

The Minnesota Twins continue their first homestand of the season this weekend against the Houston Astros. As they look to build some momentum after a rough 0-4 start, a former Twins great has some advice for fans coming to Target Field.

“Gonna be a chilly one this weekend,” observed Joe Mauer, former Twins catcher and first-ballot Hall of Famer. “Bundle up!”

With forecasted highs below the average for this time of year, the St. Paul native stressed the importance of layering.

“You might think it’s warm in the sun, but you get in the shade and the wind picks up and then you’ve got a cough and a cold the next day,” said the 2009 American League MVP. “Should bring a coat or sweater.”

While fans might be excited to wear their favorite Twins ballcap, Mauer said they should reconsider.

“Mom would get so steamed when me and Jake (Mauer, Joe’s brother) would go outside and play catch without our stocking caps on in the spring,” said the six-time All-Star. “’You boys will catch your death,’ she’d say. Plenty of good Twins stocking caps at the store, and your mom will let you watch TV before bed, lol.”

Mauer also recommended some warm beverages if you’re attending the game. Just not all of them.

“I know they have coffee at the stadium but it always gets me antsy in the pantsy, so I stick to hot chocolate,” said the three-time Gold Glove recipient. “I know Justin [Morneau, Mauer’s former teammate and roommate] used to say people would put booze in their coffee up in Canada where he’s from. Can you even imagine that? I bet that’s not even legal here in the States.

“Of course, now that you can get mary jane (slang for marijuana) at Target, who knows,” he mused. “Crazy world.”