American baseball prodigy Joe Mauer was famous for his role as first baseman for the Minnesota Major League Twins. Since the start of his professional career in 2004, Joe has won the Gold Glove Award three times. Silver Slugger Award five times and was named an All-Star six times. Additionally, he won the AL Batting Championship three times and Most Valuable Player in 2009.

the biography

Joseph Patrick Mauer was born in St Paul, Minnesota on April 19, 1983 to American parents. Growing up, Mauer was a tri-sport athlete, he participated in baseball as well as basketball and football at St. Paul Raids High School at Cretin-Derham Hall getting his start in baseball career.

While playing for his high school team, Joe was able to set a high school record and also tied national prep records by hitting a home run in seven consecutive games. He won the 2000 World Junior Baseball Tournament in Canada and the following year was named U.S. District V Player of the Year.

Professional baseball career

After his impressive high school career, JoeMauer declared for the 2001 Major League Draft. He was eventually chosen by the Minnesota Twins as the first player to be selected in the draft. He played the first three years of the minor league with the Elizabeth Twin Twins, Quad City River Bandits and New Britain Rock Cats before qualifying for the Major League. Joe then made his first professional appearance for the Twins in April 2004. His rookie career was cut short following a knee injury he suffered. Upon his return the following season, he signed a $5.7 million contract with the Twins.

The baseball star became the first catcher in baseball history to average .347 in 2006. At the end of the season, he was selected for the All-Star Game while appearing on the cover of several magazines illustrated sports. He signed a four-year contract worth $34 million with the Twins in February 2007. In 2009, after his outstanding performance, Joe won league player of the year and was named American League Most Valuable Player.

In 2010, his excellent skills landed him a $184 million deal that was supposed to last for eight seasons and end in 2018; it was the largest contract for a catcher in major league baseball. The player suffered an injury in 2013 which kept him out of most games that season. Upon his return the following season, Joe Mauer played 120 games with the Twins, recording 55 points, 4 HRs, and 60 innings.

In the 2018 season, Joe became the 287th player to join the Hit Club in 2000 after hitting a 7th inning single and a 2 RBI single against White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito.