The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies happen this weekend, and four new members will officially be welcomed to the legendary museum.Our final honoree is Twins great Joe Mauer. In honor of his induction, I present the top 5 cards I own of his:
2016 Topps Archives #85
Mauer was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and attended the same high school as hall of Famer (and his future manager) Paul Molitor. The Twins then made him the #1 pick in the 2001 draft, and he never played for another MLB team outside of his hometown.
2016 Topps Archives #261
I don't know why he got 2 cards in the 2016 Topps Archives set, but here he is catching a throw at first base. Mauer spent the last five years of his career as a first baseman, but it was his time behind the plate that cemented him as one of the all-time greats. He won 3 batting titles, more than any catcher in MLB history. He also was a near-unanimous MVP and 6-time All-Star.
2016 Topps Archives
- 1985 Topps #1 Draft Picks
#85DP-JM
Yep, another card from that same set! The Twins got a lot of criticism for selecting Mauer with the first overall pick, as many people regarded Mark Prior the superior player. The Twins got the last laugh, as Mauer becomes just the 4th #1 Draft Pick to get elected to the Hall of Fame, joining Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, and Harold Baines.
2016 Topps
Walmart Marketside #42
In addition to his MVP Award, Mauer was also won 3 straight Gold Gloves (2008-2010) and 5 Silver Slugger Awards. He holds the season records for highest batting average (.365) and OBP (.444) by a catcher, both accomplished in 2009. He also holds the career OBP mark for catchers (.388 - minimum 500 games played).
2017 Topps #404
Mauer joined Adrian Beltre as a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee this year, gaining 293 votes (76.1%). In doing so, he joined Johnny Bench and Ivan Rodriguez as the only catchers to get elected on their first ballot.
I was surprised he got in on the first ballot... but was happy for him and his fans. I'm a big fan of guys who play their entire career with one franchise. I also collect cards of batting champions. Maybe I should start a Mauer PC.
ReplyDeleteThat Archives card is a perfect recreation of the '91 Topps design. Its rare that Topps gets it right these days but they nailed that one.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Mauer was underrated during his career but worried his lack of power would diminish his HOF chances. Boy was i wrong!
It seems hard to believe that Yogi Berra didn't get in on his first ballot, but Joe Mauer did.
ReplyDelete