Derby Time: Mauer hits 5 HR, loses swing-off in 1st round

by Jon Marthaler on Jul 13, 2009 10:55 PM EDT in Game Recaps

I guess there's something that Joe Mauer can't do.

The Twins catcher failed to get out of the first round of the Home Run Derby, tying with Carlos Pena and Albert Pujols with five home runs in the first round. This sent the three to a "swing-off," where each hitter got five swings - and Mauer bowed out, failing to hit a single home run.

Mauer started strong, hitting long home runs to right field with each of his first two swings, but cooled off thereafter. Almost all of his "outs" were line drives down the right field line, except for one soft dribbler to the right side that earned an immediate and joyful razzing from the bench.

Despite predictions to the contrary, Mauer also hit zero singles up the middle, didn't hit a single ball to left field, and failed to lay down a bunt to keep the 45 youngsters in the outfield honest.

In the swing-off, Mauer came close, driving one ball off of the wall in dead center field, but could not lift one over the fence.

And, to the worriers among you, take note: Mauer took a grand total of 20 swings in the contest. That's about one round of batting practice. If you were worried about him screwing up his swing, you should also show up prior to the game and yell at him from the stands every time he lifts the ball into the right-field seats at the Metrodome.

Brewers first baseman and gigantic-pants enthusiast Prince Fielder won the title, defeating Texas's Nelson Cruz in the final round.

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Poke fun all you want

If you were worried about him screwing up his swing, you should also show up prior to the game and yell at him from the stands every time he lifts the ball into the right-field seats at the Metrodome

Well we ended up watching the mighty brandon inge and joe power mauer because in part:

None of the AL All-Stars wanted to do it.
by Jon Marthaler on Jul 13, 2009 6:10 PM MDT

And why did the other AL All Stars not want to participate? According to Morneau (one all star who declined multiple invitations), he found last year’s participation to be “stressful” and tiring.

I hope the most important player on our team, who also happens to play the most stressful and tiring position wasn’t in need of some R&R.

by montanatwinsfan on Jul 13, 2009 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

Eh. The HR Derby ruining your swing thing is a myth.

The guys that get chosen are the guys that have the most homeruns in the first half of the season. These are guys that are probably playing WAY over their heads and come back to their statistical mean by the end of the season. When Mauer ends the season with 20 HRs and a .340 average, people will point to the Derby as the reason he didn’t hit 35 HRs and bat .385. Seriously, it was pointed out, it’s 20 swings, and it looked like Mauer was absolutely on cloud 9 the entire night. He knew he wasn’t in Pujols’ class as a power guy. He was just a happy-to-be-here-and-hope-I-can-help-the-ballclub guy tonight.

"You should enter a ballpark like you enter a church." - Bill "Spaceman" Lee

by Dr. Yogi on Jul 14, 2009 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

"Smilin'" Joe Mauer looked like he was having a blast

So did Justin, even if he was just there for moral support. He didn’t go down in flames like poor Binge. He did his best and appeared to be happy to be there like Dr. Yogi said.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 14, 2009 12:55 AM EDT reply actions

Mauer

Mauer came close on a couple balls to putting up a better show, but he repped himself well tonight. Five dingers out of a batting chap catcher who is not nearly as purely strong as the others in the contest is impressive.

I wish Brandon Inge would have hit a couple homers though, he’s a great player who gets a little overlooked. Plus, he’s been on my fantasy team a couple times so I have a little soft spot for him.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane

by AdamOnFirst on Jul 14, 2009 2:51 AM EDT reply actions

Inge has 21 HR's so far.

Even if it is a fluke, good grief-21 HR’s. That means he and Mr. Morneau are equal with the HR number. Inge got a lot of crap for being selected to bat in the derby and really did not deserve it. I love Mauer, but if anyone was going to get some grief over the selection it should have been him. 15 vs. 21.

Overall it was fun to watch. I felt a strong sense of pride watching Joe represent his team so well.

Baseball is the soundtrack to my summer.

by FoulJack on Jul 14, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions