The Twins hold a 5–11 record, placing them last in the AL Central division. With inconsistent performance and a series of losses, their yesterday’s win against the Tigers lit a shimmer of hope for fans. But that isn’t the only reason why the team’s making headlines today. Because the Twins’ recent move with their ace took all the limelight. The team undertook a ceremony, creating a big moment for Joe Mauer and Twins fans. 

It all started in the plaza outside Gate 34 at Target Field—already kind of a sacred spot for Minnesota baseball history—with an 8-foot bronze statue of Mauer. A perfect gesture considering how much he meant to the team and the state. The 6x All-Star had a .306 batting average, 2,123 hits, 143 home runs, and 923 RBIs to boast of for the Twins. Enough to get inducted into the Hall of Fame!

“This means a lot more to me than you guys will ever know,“ reacted Mauer during the ceremony.

Well, Joe Mauer’s statue is now the eighth one standing proudly outside Target Field, solidifying his legacy among the most iconic figures in Twins history. He now joins Kirby Puckett, Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Kelly, and former owners Carl and Eloise Pohlad.

Evidently, good reasons for the fans to be happy with the unveiling of Mauer’s statue.

It’s a heartfelt moment for Minnesota sports, especially for Twins fans who watched Mauer grow from a hometown kid in St. Paul to a Hall of Fame catcher. During the announcement at Target Field, the crowd gave Mauer a huge standing ovation, and he got pretty emotional talking about how much the fans and the state of Minnesota have meant to him.

Now, the fans cannot get over that very moment and are sharing their excitement online about this latest move.

The fans are moved by the Twins’ heartfelt gesture 

The blue-eyed boy of the Twins is one of the most decorated players from their stable. There are only a few players in MLB history who played their entire career with a single team. The Twins got them with Mauer. Now the club’s iconic gesture is leading the town to talk.

“The Twins’ best catcher,” one fan recognized Mauer. Well, he IS considered among the top 10 catchers in the Twins’ history. Moreover, Mauer is the first catcher in MLB to lead the league in batting average, OBP, and slugging in the same season. Not just that! He is also the first catcher to win three batting titles – 2006, 2008, and 2009. No wonder fans are calling him the best!

Fans are overwhelmed by how the Twins offered a tribute to Mauer. “That’s awesome, it’s great to see Joe Mauer honored like that. Really cool moment for Twins fans.” Who said that on-field dominance cannot be achieved without being flashy and flamboyant? Check Joe Mauer. Won batting titles, MVP, and Gold Gloves, and still managed to be the most humble guy in the room. He spent his entire 15-year career with the Twins, which includes turning down the glitz of bigger markets and more money elsewhere. What more do the fans need to feel the joy!

One user wished to see him “going out to the mound to talk to the pitcher.” A good take. One of the most underrated aspects of Joe Mauer’s career was how elite he was at working with pitchers. He wasn’t just a hitting machine — he was a catcher who made his pitchers better, and that’s something teammates and coaches always praised him for. 2x Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana once said Mauer was like “having another pitching coach behind the plate.” Now, fans are demanding another statue showing this side of Mauer.

Who should be the manager of a club? Someone who knows the club better than anyone, and someone who himself led the team with prestige. Who can be a better choice than Mauer in this case for the Twins? “Give him the manager position!” one fan asked. ​The  Twins finished the 2024 MLB season with an 82–80 record, placing 4th in the American League Central Division. And this year, they are standing last. Hence, someone like Mauer might turn the tables for good.

Yes, Mauer also had a few shortcomings, including no playoff wins for the Twins. Despite Mauer’s contributions, the Twins did not secure a postseason victory during his tenure, resulting in an 0-10 record in playoff games. While one fan highlighted the same, the overall figures of Mauer are too big to oppose.

Remember 30th September 2018? The one last time, Mauer surprised everyone by catching his final pitch in the 9th inning — his first time behind the plate in over four years after moving to first base due to concussions. A Hall of Famer and a legend – who else deserves a statue in his club?

So, Joe Mauer has gotten accredited in all ways possible. Truly deserving ones. But do you think the next feat will be being recruited as the Twins manager?