Scenes From Joe Mauer's Cooperstown Capstone Season, 2009

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. He'd won as many batting titles as all the other catchers in American League history, combined. None of that was enough to foreshadow what he was about to do. 

Playing in 138 games, Mauer won his third batting title, at a career-best .365. He posted a 1.031 OPS, while hitting 28 home runs--some 15 more than he had ever previously achieved. His 191 hits were a career-best total. It was a transcendent season, good enough to launch him as a national celebrity. 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 has had a better year 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 José Mijares came back enough to allow Mauer to pounce on it. He faked a throw to first, and chased 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 RBIs. He roped a pair of doubles, and homered off a pitcher named Jimmy Gobble. Bartolo Colón 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. After this game, his batting average stood at .429.

June 16 vs Pittsburgh
Going 4-for-4, Mauer was still hitting .429 through the season’s first 66 games--though, of course, he had played several fewer. Just one of his base hits in this one 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
In 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. Famous for its light-colored rock array in left-center field, Angel Stadium can be a hard place to hit for left-handed batters. Mauer was no ordinary lefty, though. In 194 plate appearances there, he hit .350/.407/.503. These two homers were the first of five for him there in his career.

August 4 @ Cleveland
Mauer was known much more as a doubles hitter than a true slugger. This game 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
In 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 his season.

August 18 @ Texas
Facing a solid Rangers team, Mauer posted the second of two multi-home run games. He went 3-for-5, including taking Jason Jennings and Scott Feldman deep. The home runs drove in three, and the Twins won, 9-6. Delmon Young also went deep.

Of course, the year ended in heartbreak; no one told Phil Cuzzi that it was a season of destiny for Mauer. New York knocked the Twins out of the postseason with a 3-0 series sweep, but Mauer will forever have his MVP award--and without that season, he probably wouldn't be receiving the game's greatest honor this weekend.