DrNeau

89 feet, 4.5 inches. If the base itself is 15 inches, 7.5 inches (1/2) of that base would impede into the 90 feet from home to first. Hence the 89' 4.5".

Nice gapper by Escobar to start the third for a triple. Dozier follows with a sac fly. 2-0 Twins. Duffey looking sharp again. Love this kid.

Ha ha. He said that on Power Trip?

Oh. Thanks. Each hit given up by Perk was an extra-base-hit. He is getting CRUSHED these days. I really feel for Molly. I know he is trying to show faith in his boys, but my LORD! Perk is killing us! WHY IS THIS SO HARD TO SEE?!

Glen has ruined yet another game tonight (9/25/15). This game was the most critical yet. Please allow us to discuss without modifying our posts. He is destroying this team right now.

Thanks, Spikecurveball. Over the years, his direct comments regarding putting off training, or taking things slowly, is what has made me question his work ethic. Again, he has said these things, not me. So, without people thinking that I just want to rip him, that's not the case. I hope he starts ripping the ball again. I will paste Mauer sideburns on, I will paste a Mauer beard on. I will grow a beard. Just show us that you're working, Joe. That's all I want.

Hi Spinowner, Can we agree that strength, conditioning, and flexibility are all beneficial aspects of training for athletes? I will add that you will sound ridiculous if you claim that experts or non-experts would answer this question by saying "no". Needing an expert's opinion on whether physical training can benefit an athlete is pointless.

What, no one is going to attempt to say Jack Morris is not qualified to speak on the topic of Glen Perkins' physical conditioning?

QUOTE: Jimmer: Couldn't we just create a Mauer bashing thread and combine all the threads created to bash him into it? Then direct people to post their new posts there? Or maybe even create a separate forum? Place the forum right under the one entitled: 'Other Baseball'? Hi Jimmer, I do not consider this a “Mauer-bashing thread”, as you put it. I addressed criteria that was quoted directly by Joe Mauer and the media. If you do not feel this discussion or its points are valid or legitimate, I would prefer if you would stay out of it, rather than cry to the moderators – begging for them to modify my post. _______________________________________________________________________ QUOTE: Always33: Wow, everyone's ranting because Joe Mauer doesn't lift weights until he looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Why not start a thread called "Mauer needs to juice up"? Hi Always33, I love your s/n. Morneau was one of my favorite players of all time. Regarding your comment, the onus is not on me to prove that stretching is all Joe does, and I’ve not claimed that Mauer needs to look like Arnold Swarzenegger. If someone were to Google search “how to enhance bat speed”, they would find countless links to strength-training programs and drills. Help yourself: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=how+to+enhance+bat+speed If one should click any of them, they will find some assortment of the following: Legs: Squats Leg presses Lunges Deadlifts Leg curls Core: Planks Sit ups/crunches Push ups Bench press Medicine ball rotations Forearms: Squeezing a tennis ball/racquetball Wrist curls Farmer’s walk Finger curls Reverse wrist curls Joe's bat speed has declined and I have seen no evidence that he does any of the above-mentioned things. I also have the right to question why this is. Additionally, he stated that all of his leg lifting came from catching bullpens. I repeat: ALL of his leg lifting came from catching bullpens. Wow. Just… wow. One does not need to be a professional strength trainer to understand this is a ridiculous quote for a professional athlete to say. But guess who said it? I’ll give you a hint… the initials are ‘J’ and ‘M’. www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/03/07/joe-mauer-moves-to-first-base/6167525/ via Imgflip GIF Maker _______________________________________________________________________ QUOTE: Spinowner: I think the concussion is BY FAR the most likely reason that Mauer's offensive production has dropped off during the last couple years. I very strongly doubt it has anything to do with his training regimen. QUOTE: Craig Arko: Maybe a little experiment will help. Bang your head against a brick wall a few times. Then have someone throw you some 100 mph fastballs. Hi Spinowner & Craig Arko, After having missed the final month of the 2013 season, Joe Mauer was cleared by his doctor to resume full baseball activities. I’m not diminishing the effects of concussions by saying you are speculating here, and out of your element. _______________________________________________________________________ QUOTE: DocBauer: Maybe Mauer will rediscover his past self for any number of reasons. But maybe, maybe it's time that we just realize than a star baseball player, facing pitches that dip and dart and dive and slurve and slide between 80-100 MPH, has the very, very, almost obscenely difficult task of locating said round object, dissecting its trajectory and eventual targeted landing area in an X and Y plane, and then deciding if he should swing at all...(projecting and guessing whether it will be a ball or a strike)...and if he does, hoping his hand eye coordination matches his expected velocity and location computation so as to strike the ball successfully in to the field of play in some capacity. And this all takes place in about a second and a half??? Hi DocBauer, Thanks for the physics lesson (little sarcastic but really I think your quote was well-written). I do not disagree that the game is difficult. Since the game is hard, is poor production, then, acceptable? I would argue it is not. _______________________________________________________________________ QUOTE: Headfirst: I always think that it is funny when posters on TD become experts in the art of strength and conditioning. Hi Headfirst, One does not need to be an expert to know that strength, conditioning, and flexibility are all beneficial aspects of training for the game of baseball. As fans, we have the right to inquire whether players are adequately doing their part in this. As a minimum standard, do you agree that each player should give their all in each of these training aspects? Yes or no? _______________________________________________________________________ Brock Beauchamp: But it's incredible to suggest he's lazy when he was one of the best players in baseball for a decade. What, do some of you think Mauer somehow became one of the best catchers in MLB history through dumb luck and talent? Hi Brock, Perfect example of how posts get spun out of control. I have posted articles from the media containing sportswriters’ summaries of Mauer’s routines, as well as Joe’s direct quotes, which support the idea of delaying training until very deep into the off-season. I’ve not stated that he became one of the best catchers through dumb luck and talent. I think he is/was one of the most talented players to ever play the game. That being said, his direct quotes added with his lack of production in the past few years have concerned me. I have the right to feel concerned, and I’m not the only one who feels this way. You disagreeing with me is to be expected in a forum, but it is no reason to twist my words. Small recap of the article in question: • Mauer openly stated he is progressively delaying beginning training later and later each year. • He stated he begins training for next season at spring training - not prior. • Also, the writer, Mike Berardino, stated that Mauer typically doesn't do much hitting in the off-season. I’m curious how you can argue with quotes that he himself spoke.

4 runs in the past 5 outings (over the span of 4.1 innings) is a bit alarming. Additionally, he's been noticeably off since the all-star break. His slider has been missing, and also he's not hitting the corners with his fastballs, getting himself behind in counts, then serving them up on a platter. If he was "just fine", he would still be pitching in tight situations. He's not, because he's getting hit hard every outing lately. It started going downhill ever since the games he blew vs. the Yankees and Pirates, and seems to be in a tailspin right now. I hope he can get back to his early-season form... and soon! Regarding the attitude, fair enough to not read too much into it. I am actually all for a player having attitude when competing. Shows fire. Love that. What gets me upset is when it's directed at his own teammates. That, to me, is unacceptable.

I think it's safe to assume we can all agree that Perkins is going through a rough patch. As a matter of fact, it seems as if he's giving up home runs now at an alarming rate. Ruined the shutout in two recent games due to homers, including a 2-run shot tonight to Carlos Santana. What gets me is the pouting and over-the-top displays of attitude. Has anyone else noticed this? It seems that his emotions get the best of him after not getting a call, then he falls behind, and then just says "screw it" and grooves a fastball right down broadway. It's frustrating that he is not hitting the corners, but more frustrating to me are things like this: * Fly ball to short right tonight, Dozier and Hicks nearly converge, but Hicks makes the catch. Perkins immediately starts talking to Plouffe about it, and starts giving major stink-eye over in the direction where the play was made. * 2-1 count to Carlos Santana (who was hitting .583 career vs. Perk BEFORE tonight's 9th inning HR). Perk throws a FB that misses the inside corner, and proceeds to shake his head at the ump for not giving him the call. Takes his darn time pouting on the mound, then gives up an absolute bomb to left, because he just placed it on a tee. * After finally getting the 3rd out, he started in with the umpire, complaining about that 2-1 call, which was inside. He's not hitting the corners, and needs to focus less on the umpire and more on his own game. * Acting aloof lately. Seems to be some sort of a defense mechanism. Quit acting like you don't care. You care. Man up and find a way to be productive. Nothing else matters. * The fact that he laughed ON THE MOUND the other night after he gave up another 9th inning homer, which ruined another shutout. Ticked me off. Who laughs in this situation? Again, this is all blame-shifting stuff that he's pulling. Quit laughing. You are not a victim of incredible circumstances. You are throwing a straight FB down the dead center of the plate. Stop showing up your own players and making faces at them on the field. Stop complaining and griping at the umpires. Getting tired of the act, and somebody needs to sit him down. He's lucky his teammates are not making faces at him, especially considering how poorly he's been pitching lately.

Mauer just spanked a 2-run homer to right center. Love it. Good to see him get ahead in a count and drive a ball. Would love to see more of this.

Sure looks like a lot of leaning and lying around in that workout... Unsure what happened to the person's post I was trying to quote. Looks like it has been deleted.

Hi Hrbowski, Yes, Madison Bumgarner managed to hit exactly as many home runs last year as Joe Mauer. Pretty impressive for a pitcher. (Love your s/n, btw.) Thanks, lmfao1. Response to quote #1: I have not claimed that Mauer does not work in spring training. In fact, I believe all players work in spring training. Response to quote #2: I have not claimed that Mauer does not work in spring training. In fact, I believe all players work in spring training. That's what they are there to do... train.

Thanks, nicksaviking, for your attempt to discredit me. As I did not write that article, and am merely sharing public information, please direct your comments to Mike Berardino, the writer from the Pioneer Press.

Your "probably" doesn't amount to squat. Also stated in the same article: B.) he is progressively delaying beginning training later and later each year C.) he begins training for next season at spring training - not prior Also, the writer, Mike Berardino, stated that Mauer typically doesn't do much hitting in the offseason. Again, these are things that are coming from either Mauer himself or reputable members of the press. Thanks for your reply, though!

While this post is critical of Joe Mauer, it is comprised of nothing I have made up on my own. Each point has been pulled from news articles from reputable sources, and many contain quotes from Joe himself. I am simply merging together snippets of information, and would like to begin a discussion on this. I am a fan of Joe, but I am extremely frustrated, and would like to see a change, and know there are many fans who agree, and we have a right to discuss this topic. Points of discussion: 1. Lack of training Exhibit A - Lack of Training 1. Article on January 21st, 2014 where Mauer admitted: A.) he hadn't yet swung a bat all offseason B.) he is progressively delaying beginning training later and later each year C.) he begins training for next season at spring training - not prior * http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_24962055/minnesota-twins-joe-mauer-feeling-good-taking-it 2. Article in 2014 where he states that while catching, his only leg workouts were catching bullpens. He said it, not me! http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/03/07/joe-mauer-moves-to-first-base/6167525/ 3. Mauer spent the offseason before the 2015 season stretching. I repeat: STRETCHING: "Just overall, I feel great," Mauer said. A full offseason spent working with St. Paul stretching guru Roger Erickson helped Mauer chase away the soreness and body tightness that goes with being on the wrong side of 30. It also helped the six-time all-star selection reclaim a good portion of the trunk flexibility and bat extension he gradually had lost over the years. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_27844197/twins-joe-mauer-ready-reboot-after-offseason-makeover Article continues on to talk about Mauer's newly-found pull power. Pretty hilarious. Exhibit B - Clearly does not look as if he is on a strength training program * http://www.twincities.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=5684567 * http://www.1500espn.com/gallery/minnesota_twinsphoto_day_022414/pID69376 * http://www.1500espn.com/gallery/minnesota_twinsphoto_day_022414/pID69372 -------------------------- 2. Excuses we have heard: * Defensive shifts by opponents: http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/05/24/twinsights-faced-with-reverse-shift-joe-mauer-starts-to-pull-more/ * He has a slightly slower bat swing making him vulnerable to the high outside pitch: Have heard this, though not much of an excuse. His bat speed has dipped because of lack of training. * He is having more difficulty with an increasing mix of off speed pitches he is seeing (being pitched around): http://www.startribune.com/analysis-why-does-joe-mauer-have-only-one-career-walk-off-hit/328056491/ * He is unlucky - but is still hitting balls hard: http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/05/24/twinsights-faced-with-reverse-shift-joe-mauer-starts-to-pull-more/ * Concussion: Happened in late August 2013. Was cleared in October 2013 to resume baseball activities. Stated in spring of 2014 that he "felt good". Stated in spring of 2015 that he was "excited", "felt good". * The move to 1B from Catcher has made it more difficult for him to locate the strike zone and track pitches while batting: http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/twins-tuesday-mauer-getting-back-into-old-habits-062414 * Poor talent surrounding him: http://www.startribune.com/mauer-hitting-3rd-because-with-twins-options-he-belongs-there/311568841/ * Batted 2nd in the lineup, which produced less RBI opportunities * Umpires no longer giving him benefit of calls, as he's no longer a Catcher: http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_25541427/charley-walters-twins-joe-mauer-frustrated-by-umps * Weak legs... he's not getting as many squat workouts, because he hasn't been catching BP: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/03/07/joe-mauer-moves-to-first-base/6167525/ * Bad back: http://www.startribune.com/souhan-back-injury-might-be-continuing-to-bother-mauer/259746021/ * Target Field is too tough to hit in: http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/4008/how-target-field-is-hurting-mauer-morneau * Catching for 11 years still wears on him... even though he hasn't caught since 2013, Mauer claims he is still ailed by "nicks and bruises" from catching: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/115147454/anthony-castrovince-healthy-legs-are-foundation-of-joe-mauers-hope-to-rebound * One walk off hit in career because he has been pitched around (classic): http://www.startribune.com/analysis-why-does-joe-mauer-have-only-one-career-walk-off-hit/328056491/ -------------------------- For laughs: Quote from Kenny Vargas on 3/7/2014 on how Mauer's transition to 1B will be easy: "I told him he's going to feel more comfortable. You can focus more on home runs and RBIs, because you don't have as much to do." http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/03/07/joe-mauer-moves-to-first-base/6167525/