According to some, Mauer is the key

-- L. Maurice Draine

The key to the Twins winning it all this year is 21-year-old catcher Joe Mauer; that is, according to a few Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated baseball writers. They all agree that Mauer needs to catch in at least 140 games. And if he does, he’ll be the single most important addition to the team. A few baseball analysts from ESPN already believe that he can be the best catcher in the game.

But Mauer only caught in 32 games last year, his rookie season, before he was halted by knee problems. Speculation around Major League Baseball suggests that he’ll never catch again. But Joe Mauer and Twins’ GM Ryan are a bit more optimistic.

“That’s not what we, he or the doctors believe,” said Ryan in a press conference last week.

With only 107 appearances at the plate, Mauer still had an on-base percentage of .939. He also led the team with a batting average of .308. Imagine if you gave Mauer and fellow young slugging teammate Justin Morneau 1,200 plate appearances combined, instead of 434 combined. Watch out.

Here are a few more key players the Twins have on their roster this season:

Johan Santana, the returning AL Cy Young Award winner, an award given to the best pitcher in the American League.

Pitcher Brad Radke, the longest-tenured Twin, heading into his eleventh season. Radke even took less money to stay with the team. That tells you what kind of guy he is.

Torii Hunter, who seems to win a Gold Glove ever year is also returning. The Gold-Glove is awarded to the best outfielder in the AL each year.

Joe Nathan’s slider reaches speeds up to 90 mph and will keep batters guessing in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Joe Mauer is already a local hero, batting third in the hitting lineup.

Then there’s Justin Morneau, who could hit 30 to 40 homeruns this year, batting fourth.

And last, but not least, Manager Ron Gardenhire, who is the second best manager in the AL behind the Yankees’ Joe Torre.

Every team around the league knows the Twins have great pitching; altogether the Twins could have the right combination to win their first championship since 1991.

If you have comments about the sports column or sports in general, send them to drainele@go.metrostate.edu.

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