Comments on: Joe Mauer was called out for his pitch selection over the weekend

By: pellypell

pellypell — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:10:46 +0000

I think we found Joe Mauer’s HBT username.

By: schrutebeetfarms

schrutebeetfarms — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:02:28 +0000

The opinion in the Twins organization is that Mauer didn’t come to camp ready and didn’t do the proper off-season rehab. That’s from the Twins radio color guy. So I’m wiilling to bet he’s plenty plugged in and isn’t criticizing out of sheer ignorance.

Furthermore, you’re right when you say that no catcher plays at 100%. No player does. Avilia for Detroit plays game at third base so that they can keep his bat in the lineup. The only person that is saying Mauer has to catch each time he plays is Mauer. Everyone else is saying he should DH or play another position to “rest his legs.”

Take off the Mauer colored glasses.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:29:57 +0000

Yeah, but that’s only been this year. Check out his stats from any year that doesn’t end in ’11.

(A little tired of all the Mijares-hate)

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:27:56 +0000

I wondered when Parker Hageman’s picture was going to make it into this thread.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:05:37 +0000

Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.

By: foreverchipper10

foreverchipper10 — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:57:52 +0000

INCONCEIVABLE!

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:17:28 +0000

Very true…

By: nikesparq

nikesparq — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:55:39 +0000

Sigh, Mijares you really need to leave town. As soon as you come up to pitch every Twins fans knows this is suddenly a home run derby compeition. Your throws no doubtly fast, and fierce, but also wild with no accuracy.

By: senatorsguy

senatorsguy — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:55:15 +0000

You have been listening to too many fat radio guys questioning Mauer out of sheer ignorance. There is no such thing as a MLB catcher who plays only at 100%. It is the toughest position in sports and the amount of foul tips and crouching leads to constant aches and pains. Mauer played as many games at catcher from 2006 thru 2010 as virtually any catcher in the game. He plays hurt. He apparently doesn’t play when post-surgery recovery doesn’t allow him to feel capable of performing the required tasks of the game. There is a big difference.

By: Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward

Mr. Jason "El Bravo" Heyward — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:49:45 +0000

It’s totally productive for the White Sox, Tigers and Indians though…and the Royals to a lesser extent.

By: senatorsguy

senatorsguy — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:47:42 +0000

Its worth noting that in the days following this episode, Gardenhire was quoted a couple of times as stating that Mijares failed to shake off a sign – ultimately the pitcher is the one who throws the ball and needs to make the call. Of course – it doesn’t hurt to hit the glove on the outer corner instead of being middle in at thigh level to Prince Fielder.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:31:00 +0000

This isn’t good for the Twins. Calling out players to the media seems counterproductive to me.

By: kopy

kopy — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:24:54 +0000

Well, in Mauer’s defense:

“Called for a fastball there,” Mauer said. “I didn’t call for it down the middle.”

http://twitpic.com/5gga0m

By: theotherfamousamos

theotherfamousamos — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:10:03 +0000

Finally a teammate is willing to call out Mauer. Now if only a teammate would call out the $23 million man for being so soft and unwilling to play at less than 100 percent.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:05:10 +0000

In all, the lefty Mijares threw six pitches, all of them fastballs. Why, if he felt so strongly about it, he didn’t shake off Mauer or have a little conference about it on the mound is an open question

Except after 5 fastballs, it becomes a classic example of game theory. Fielder may expect a different pitch b/c he’s seen 5 straight fastballs. But if he expects that, and Mijares knows he’s looking for a different pitch, he should throw a fastball again.

Or, if you think this is an elaborate excuse to post a clip from the Princess Bride, well you know me too well:

By: bennyc50

bennyc50 — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:58:37 +0000

Mauer responded by pounding Mijares with a steel chair http://www.thatstwinsbaseball.com/mijares-calls-out-mauer-mauer-responds-with-steel-chair/