Mauer to take part in HR Derby
Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer has officially accepted an invitation to compete in the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Busch Stadium.
Mauer will be pitched to by his high school baseball coach — Jim O’Neill of Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul.
The catcher, who has already hit a career-high 15 home runs this season, will be the Twins’ lone representative in the event.
Justin Morneau, the defending champion of the Derby, declined an earlier invitation to take part in this year’s event. But Morneau said that he would be there, with one of the best seats in the house, rooting Mauer on if the catcher decided to take part in the event.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire also was supportive of Mauer potentially taking part in the event. He said recently that he thought Mauer, who isn’t exactly known for his home run power, would excel in the event.
“Joe, in the home run hitting contest? He’d probably win it,” Gardenhire said. “You know it and I know it. Just to let
people know he can hit home runs. Nothing would surprise me that Joe
does.”
mlblogskellythesier1
Boy I hope the best to Mauer, I always get worried when fantastic hitters like himself go into the Home Run Derby’s. Mauer might not falter afterwards because he’s such a pure hitter, but it’s hard to say. It would be a shame for him to lose his swing.