As a boy growing up in Minnesota in the 2000s/2010s, Joe Mauer meant everything to us. As the local boy from St. Paul, he could not have been a better representative of the franchise, both from his on the field success and his off the field character. Regardless of if Mauer gets into the HOF or not, he will always be meaningful to me and arguably the greatest Twin of all time.

He will eventually. 3 batting titles. one of the best hitting catchers of all time. Good hitter at the sports hardest position.

Kirby Puckett and Joe Mauer mean more to the Minnesota faithful than words can express. The twins are the only major Minnesota sports team to have won a championship since the Vikings before the Superbowl. These guys were the reason that we fell in love with the Twins from our earliest memories.

As a Minnesotan Mauer and Morneau are the reason I learned to love baseball as a kid. I went to and watched their games, I collected their cards, and I wore their numbers for my jerseys. I sincerely hope Mauer makes it in, he definitely deserves it in my opinion.

I feel like he'll eventually make it, just not in the first ballot. The only real gripe any voter can point to is his lack of durability, but that didn't stop them from putting in other guys with shorter primes. Him and Jason Kendall were really the unicorns of their position. Contact first hitters who could get on base and have some sneaky speed. Not to mention good defense.

I worked for 8 years in an analytical MLB team’s front office (TBR for most of it) in R&D. Mauer’s career peak was relatively short, but if the HOF were about player value, including opportunity cost, then Mauer is absolutely deserving. First-ballot even. Also, baseball reference defensive WAR is invalid and a misdirection. It means almost nothing in terms of predictive weight, particularly for catchers and corner infielders. Also, in terms of player value, home runs are predictive, but are still only one of many variables. Mauer was one of the most productive offensive players at his peak, better than a large chunk of HOFs at the bottom of the defensive spectrum, because he got on base, put the ball in play effectively (.341 BABIP), struck out far less than league average, and walked more than league average. In terms of pure hitting ability, he was arguably the best in the AL at his peak, and definitely in the top percentiles of all-time. Plus, Mauer was one of the best defensive catchers at his peak. Having an elite offensive player at catcher, especially one who is a defensive asset, adds tens of millions in value out of opportunity cost. Rosters and lineups have a fixed size. Mauer was a far better catcher than any of the Twins’ opponents catchers, and a better hitter than most of the Twins’ opponents best hitters at any position. And his name at catcher, gave the Twins the opportunity to add cheap runs at positions like first base and DH-where offensive output is cheapest to procure. Having an elite first basemen or right fielder or DH on the other hand, forces teams to spend MORE when they need to add runs, as the only way to add more would be at positions that come with a more expensive defensive premium. So Mauer, HOF, hands down.

I grew up in Northwest Wisconsin, mom was a Twins fan, and dad was a Brewers fan, and we got both games on tv growing up and Joe Mauer was one of my favorites even though I’m a Brewers fan, in the late 2000’s early 2010’s it was hard to find many catchers better than Mauer, I think he’s a slam dunk hall of famer

6 time all star, MVP, 5 time SS, 3x batting champion (which is impressive for a catcher) - he’s no doubt a Hall of Fame

Please do a Rick Ankiel video, he was a inspiration to cardinals fans. His story is so crazy I’ve never heard another one like it! And some of the throws he made from the outfield are mind blowing!!!

I had him on my fantasy baseball team his breakout year.. he helped me win the whole thing and I didn't know him before that, instant fan

Can you please do a video about the 2011-2015 Detroit Tigers. It was crazy they never accomplished anything with that loaded roster and rotation

WOW I made the video! Didn't expect such a quick turn around. Thank you so much. He was a hero of mine growing up and I love seeing recognition for a Minnesota legend. You bring up a lot of great points for and against him getting inducting. I think the injuries preventing him to play more as a catcher will be the overall deciding factor. Still, I'm really hoping he'll make it in.

I watched him from high school to retirement my boy belongs in the hall!

Man I miss and love this mid to late 2000's baseball.

Just discovered your videos recently and have enjoyed them a lot. Joe Mauer was before my time as a baseball fan but man did he have a hell of a career. Would love a video on my favorite player of all time and a teammate of mauers in the same boat Torii Hunter.

Sneaking a Brandon Inge mention into my life in 2023? I love it. Not only would he be a great RefGuess Hard tier, but a video wouldn't be half bad either. Started as the Tigers catcher, but then they signed Pudge. Was able to transition to 3B and hang on, but then they traded for Cabrera. Lucky for him a 3B Cabrera didn't pan out, and he held on for those early 2010s playoff runs

Joe Mauer Career accolades: * Drafted #1 overall * 5 time Silver Slugger * 3 time Gold Glove * 2009 AL MVP * 6 time All Star * Career batting Average of .306 * Career OBP of .388 * Career OPS .827 * 2nd all time in hits for the Twins * Only American League cather to ever win a batting title (he did it 3 times) * over 400 Doubles * the only catchers with more career WAR than Mauer are either in the HOF or are Joe Torre and Josh Gibson. * in Terms of WAR again, Mauer has the best 10 year stretch ever for a catcher. *from 2006-2010, no AL hitter had more fangraphs WAR than Mauer. * all time leader in Batting Average as a Catcher at .328 * Only Micky Cochrane has a Hugher career OBP than Mauer as a Catcher. * According to Baseball Prospectus, only 5 catchers saved more runs from 2004 to 2011. This man VERY CLEARLY deserves HOF.

Honestly, I hope Joe does make it to the HOF. I believe he has the accolades despite of the argument against him that you brought up. It might not be 1st ballot but hopefully eventually he does make it.

As a Tigers fan I was always worried going against Mauer and Morneau. I also really really hated going against Grady Sizemore, Hafner and Martinez before we got him.

Like so many others here in Minnesota Joe Mauer is my favorite player of all time, I think he deserves to be a hall of famer and it was an absolute joy growing up watching him and being able to model after a guy like that. Thanks Jolly for making this video!

I personally think Joe Mauer is going to benefit from the fact that pretty much all the baseball writers like him personally, that goes much farther than it probably should.

I hope so as a twins fan who moved to Minnesota after his prime, the impact he had on the twins was huge. So I think he should be

Another excellent video! Joe Mauer was one of my favorite players growing up in the 2010s. It will be a travesty if he doesn't make the hall. Also a video idea could be about Edgar Renteria. He hits the walkoff in game 7 of the 1997 world series and then 13 years later he wins world series MVP.

Great video Jolly! Maybe I missed something but I think you repeated the same stat about Mauer's 2009 WAR value twice at 4:40 then again at 5:27. Looks like the same table both times too, just displayed differently

Loved thee video! You should really do one of these for Buster Posey. His candidacy is very interesting.

Another banger, jolly. Best channel on KZfaq

Great video. Loved watching Mauer. It would be pretty cool to see a video about Mike Bordick. Not known for his hitting but was one of the best fielders. He set Major League records for most consecutive errorless games (110) and chances (543) by a shortstop.

wow its just crazy how old i feel lmmfao. I saw mauer come up when i was like 10 and watched him his whole career. And now hes up for the hall of fame.... damn times flies!

Thanks for making this. Very insightful. I have a couple of questions from your video since I'm still learning a lot about the game. Why are first basemen usually considered great hitters on offense? And why are catchers usually considered poor hitters on offense?

There was a time this was a no brainer. I truly hope so, eventually. There's going to be an interesting logjam of players coming up

Met Joe in spring training one year. Stand up guy. Amazing player. Might not make it on the first ballot but he 100% deserves to be in the HOF. Even though he did fall off toward the end of his career due to injuries, I don’t count the lack of milestones as harshly on him

8:04 "Granted, it's tough to hit a lot of bombs in Minnesota, especially target field" unless the year is 2019 ;)

He can definitely get in. He is 1 of 8 catchers to get 2000 hits as a catcher which is pretty amazing. And In his prime he was definitely one of the faces of baseball. He was on the cover of MLB the Show 11. Even if he doesn’t get in to the HOF he will certainly go down as a great player. I grew up in CT and I remember he was briefly with the AA new Britain Rock Cats and I was young but I remember seeing him. I mostly remember Justin Morneau… man those are wonderful memories

Hear me out…. Dustin Pedroia should have HOF votes. Maybe not a first rounder but he should have some votes

Jolly olive doesn’t miss 🎯another dope ass video. Can you do a video on Jose Reyes or Matt kemp?🔥🔥

Good video. You should do a vid on the case of yadi. I know you said his case is less compelling, but I think him and Mauer are deserving of getting in

Mauer NEEDS to be in the hall no doubt!!! love your content Jolly could you cover Roy Halladay’s career in a solo video?

He should be a hall of famed, Im not a twins fan but I have lots of family that are and watched him play tons of games and he was really good

I hope Mauer gets in. He was so much fun to watch growing up, he still does a ton of charity work, and he will always be classy in my eyes. A player I’d love you to talk about Chone Figgins. He was my favorite player growing up. Doesn’t get a lot of talk about his style of play but he influenced me. He was a speedster. Played a good shortstop.

Great video Jolly! I’d love to see one on Sammy Sosa!

Would like to see a video on Micheal Young

it’s important to note just how few first basemen in the DRS era have even a single year of positive dWAR. the defensive spectrum hits that position _hard_

You should do Paul Konerko. Or just the 2005 white Sox in general. I think it’s a great story

He was fun to watch. I hope he gets in. I mean he was on the show cover two years in a row as a catcher there hasn’t been another catcher to grace the cover since

Could you please make a video on the 1999 diamondbacks? A very interesting & underrated story

He should. One of the greatest offensive catchers of all time

Mauer's one of those guys that I WANT to see get in the Hall, but isn't a certainty to actually make it in. If he does, I feel like it'll come via the Larry Walker route: start off slow, then build up a loyal following who champions him each year til he gains enough momentum to get in. If people are going to ding Scott Rolen for not 'looking like a Hall of Famer', then Mauer should get props for being the undisputed face of his team and city and looking exactly like a Hall of Fame talent during his peak.

As much as I’d love him to be a first balloter, it’ll take him a few years to get in. His lack of power is a minus, but the guy was a freaking monster when it comes to XBH. Not only was he a great ballplayer, but he is also an amazing human as well.

i know its kind of random, and if you don't do a video on him I completely understand, my favorite player of all time for me for some reason has always been Justin Turner and I think he is a very interesting player with how good he is with runners on base and as far as I remember last year (correct me if I'm wrong) he lead the league in batting average from may-august I know batting average istn every by any stretch of the mind but idk what I'm even saying anymore sorry :)

I think Mauer gets in and deserves it. Catchers are always assessed differently precisely for the reason you stated-it's a tough, physically and mentally demanding position, and it's so important that teams prioritize the defensive part of the position first. He was not only one of the best defensive catchers of his era, but also a great game caller and an elite hitter. I think there's also something to be said for how humbly, graciously, and non-controversially he played the game; if that's something that's going to be held against some players, then it stands to reason that someone epitomizing the good virtues of baseball should be rewarded for it. I think there are comparison similarities between Joe Mauer's case for the Hall of Fame and Felix Hernandez winning the Cy Young in 2010. Hernandez went 13-12 that season, but was at or near the top of the league in pretty much every other relevant category. There was a lot of debate and talk about whether the player putting up amazing stats should be punished for their teams lack of success. There was real fear about the rangers of relying on statistics, and how winning is what really mattered. To me, Hernandez winning that award ushered in the sabremetric era. It proved that incredible individual performance could not only be seen, but recognized even if the team success wasn't there. It paved the way for players like Mike Trout to win MVP despite being on perennially abysmal teams. I think Joe Mauer presents a test ir case study of how stats vs wins will be viewed moving forward in the assessment of the totality of a career and impact on the game, and not just an individual season.

Can you please make a video about Mallex smith, he led the league in SB back in 2019 and is out of the league now before he even turned 30

A little twist on the “remember how good this guy was” series: Field a playoff caliber 26-Man roster of guys with top tier names (since the wild card era). I’m talking guys like Coco Crisp, Boof Bonser, and Buck Farmer (just a good, strong name)

can you please do a vid on josh bell he is so underrated also love this channel!

I don't know. The lack of durability and dingers hurts his case, without question. He is one of those guys where I would be fine with him getting in but it won't break my heart if he doesn't either. He's better than some players in but I think you can find better players who are not as well. However, not a ton of better catchers, so that is pretty big too. The black ink helps him a lot too.

Him and Mourneau were my fav duo back then

2:04 - He wasn't QUITE as local as Mauer was, but as a Nebraskan, Alex Gordon also grew up a Royals fan. The drive time from Lincoln to Kansas City is about the same as the drive time from Moorhead to Minneapolis - there just happen to be a couple state borders in the way for the former. As for the thesis of the video itself, I hope the voters don't overthink things. Mauer's career WAR is pretty much exactly typical for a Hall of Fame catcher, and he has as many batting titles as all other catchers combined. He belongs there.

This video def shows me some things I didn't realize. I do think his skills are HOF worthy but idk if he played enough for them to vote him in.

It is hard for catchers to get in. I definitely think Mauer should get in. Likewise, i think Salvy Perez from my Royals should deserve to get in when he's done (5 gold gloves, 4 silver sluggers, 7 all star games, has a WS championship and a WS MVP Award, he's been the best offensive and defensive catcher his entire career, and had a record breaking 48 home runs in a season which is most ever by a catcher.)

He'll be Minnesota's version of Ted Simmons. He'll go in. It'll just be decades later. It'll be some kind of special selection like we've been seeing the last couple years. Was Mauer great? When he was healthy he was the best offensive catcher in the game. But if you look at his numbers post-2010, he'd be in the hall of very good. But the good thing for himself and Twins fans, is it is now the hall of very good. Thanks to as I mentioned before the special selections. I'm a diehard St.Louis Cardinals fan. But if you think Ted Simmons deserves to be in the HOF I got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale.

Can you do a video about Brandon Crawford? Love ur content

I sincerely hope so. Mauer was the main reason I kept watching baseball while I was dealing with the lost of my favorite team, the Expos.

I would love to see a video on Jose Bautista, he had a very interesting career

I’d love to see a video on Billy Wagner and other similar caliber closes that the HOF committee seems to dislike

I’m a Yankees fan but joe mauer will forever be one of my favorite players

I forgot about Joe Mauer. Thanks for reminding me what kind of player he was. He'll get in at some point.

In a word: Yes. Mauer is one of if not the greatest hitting catcher of all time!

Would it be possible to do a video on Brandon Inge, a guy who lasted 13 seasons being relatively average until he had a good season in 2006 where he got selected for the home run derby and hit 0 home runs. And still somehow he is a tiger legend and everyone loves him here and at the same time hates him, very weird but interesting career

Wsp my guy love ur content

Huge Twins fan here. I was 12 years old when Joe won his MVP. He’s the reason that thousands of minnesotans are baseball fans. The hometown kid who got a lot of flak for not hitting enough homers in spite of his excellence in every other aspect of the game. He famously only struck out once in High School baseball. Both he and Morneau had the primes of their careers cut short by concussions. Just a damn shame… I don’t see how he wouldn’t make the hall. If he doesn’t make it in 10 years on the ballot, the veterans committee will vote him in.

Please do a video on buster posey hall of fame odds

At every position , the top-15 players in career fWAR are either HOFers or barred for cheating. The only current exceptions are 2B and CF, which both will be fixed when Jones/Utley get elected and Whitaker/Grich/Edmonds/Lofton get in through Veterans Committee, and C. Mauer is 15th among catchers in fWAR. It would truly be a disservice to the catcher position if Mauer doesn’t get in, along with Posey, McCann, Molina, and Martin

he’ll get there. he and posey have similar issues with lack of longevity, and where mauer has ungodly sabermetric numbers, posey has the postseason prowess

Jared Weaver pitched for the San Diego Padres and also the California Angels.

I would bet both Posey and Mauer get in fairly easily within a couple years of being on the ballot. Same with Yadi. The Hall loves likeable dudes who played with one single team and I feel like there's been a lot of love being given to catchers more recently given the rise of advanced metrics.

As someone that obsessively followed baseball in the late 00s and early 10s, Joe Mauer absolutely belongs in the Hall. Incredible stud catcher.

I lived in St. Paul for over 30 years less than a half mile from Cretin-Derham Hall. I worked 2nd shift at the Ford plant and often before work I would stop and watch Cretin-Derham Baseball games. Joe was a player from a different world. He had a swing like DiMaggio. He was a great MLB player, but I felt that he wasn't much of a leader. That and as great of a hitter as he was, teams started to figure him out and would shift leading Joe to hit into lots of double plays, many at the worst time. That said I do hope he makes it into the Hall.

Based on recent criteria of letting guys in with short peaks and throwing counting stats out the window completely....sure...he'll probably get in

Here's a suggestion for ya I think would be fun, do a video on the career of Addison Reed.

Do a video on Grady Sizemore. He was so good for not long but when he was good holy cow.

as a minnesotan (not bias haha) i think he deserves the HOF no questions asked

Idk man, I've had beef with the HoF voters ever since they disrespected Paul Konerko like they did.

the way i see it, he's a top 3 catcher of all time, and the greatest twin of all time, he inspired most, if not all baseball and softball players from MN, he's going in first ballot

Check out the old channel "Watch Sunday Baseball" They got a video on high average Catchers and they mention Joe Mauer. That channel was a forgotten gem.

I loved Mauer when I played fantasy ball. ESP more so when they slotted him in for 1B/C

I’ve always thought a players peak should be considered much more important than a longevity when considering hall of fame candidacy. Id argue that a guy like Mauer who had a solid 5-6 year stretch where he was the undisputed best catcher and a top 10 position player in the game is far more deserving of the hall than guys like Harold Baines and Fred mcgriff who were really good, but never elite players who were able to rack up significant career stats by playing and staying durable for 20+ years

Mauer and Posey are the 2 catchers that should be in the hall, but of course the numbers arent all there, but look at their resume, they deserve to be in the hall, also they played in pitcher friendly parks

3:40 that double broke up a no hitter in I believe 1 out in the 9th. I watched that game in 2008 as a die hard white Sox fan. He destroyed my Sox. Appreciate joe. Easy hall of famer. 1st catcher to win the batting title I believe. (Also love the swisher flop)

He’s my favorite player but I think that it miggy gets in then so should joe. Sure joe wasn’t elite at the end of his career but miggy played pretty easy positions throughout all of his career while joe played the hardest position. Miggy these days is basically still on the team for nostalgia. Also what joe did for the catcher position and how he revolutionized it in my opinion he definitely deserves to be in.

I would love to see a video on one of my boys Mark prior and/or Kerry Wood

I find it hard to say that anyone who wins 3 batting titles doesn't belong in the HoF. Also, if Buster Posey is a first ballot HoFer (which most people think he is) i also find it hard to say Mauer shouldn't also get in, just not first ballot. (Also, is Posey such a sure thing for HoF if he's not on a team that wins multiple WS rings, doubtful) I think people genuinely forget how good of a hitter Mauer really was in his prime. He didn't have the flashy power numbers that some HoF catchers have but few, if any catchers ever were as good contact hitters as Mauer. He should absolutely get in the HoF, just not first ballot.

Have you considered doing a hall of fame case for Jimmy Rollins? I believe he should be in, though I am biased as a Phillies fan. There are some good arguments for why he should and shouldn’t be in.

another thing to mention: he played a _majority_ of his career at either DH, first base, or pinch hitter. the mere fact it’s less than half might be enough to keep him off some ballots.

Was that Jeff Kent as the giant at the beginning?

I’ll never understand the weight that is placed on team championships when it comes to judging individual awards, especially baseball

Please do Brian Dozier soon. He was such a beast and deserves recognition.

Im a born and raised Twins fan, Mauer as a C is a HOF. Mauer as a 1B is NOT a HOF. So it really comes down to how dominant his time as a C was

Being a cubs fan would love to see a video on Aramis Ramirez or Starlin Castro

Joe Mauer is one of the best hitting catchers of all time and the face of the Twins franchise for many years, of course he is a hall of famer

Once you put in rolen you have to put in a lot of B+ caliber players

I feel like Mauer is a for sure hall of famer however I feel where he differs from Yadier Molina and Posey is the fact both posey and Molina played all their games at catcher. I feel posey isn’t a first ballot but def in and Yadi is a easy first ballot because fangraphs has him as the best defender of all time and his ops+ is avg from catcher. Mauer should get in tho