A few years ago I spent a couple of hours at my business 1 on 1 with Joe ( I probably posted this part already at some point ). We talked a lot of baseball and the subject of Delmon came up. Joe told me Delmon was the stubbornest person he had ever met, I think some of that stubbornness rubbed off on Joe. I still think the World of Joe, but come on man.

It didn't rub off on him. Joe is in his own bubble. He has been put on a pedastal from the time he started to excel in sports. It's pretty clear to me that he is going to do things his way without getting any reasonable input from anyone. No one in this organization will do it. They just leave him alone to do what he wants.

Yes, talented athletes are treated way too special. The Mauer family are the most down to earth people you could ever meet. Have you met any of them? Joe being in his own bubble is where I think you are wrong, he is somewhat of an introvert around the media and fans, but take him away from that and you will see a different person. I don't care if he signed a 10 billion dollar contract, the family would never let him live in his own bubble. Joe enjoys time with his family and friends and is not your typical over paid athlete that needs a bubble or chooses to stay in one.
I agree that no one in the organization will mess with him. Who in their right mind would try to change Joe's swing or approach? That would be career suicide. Have you ever thought that Joe is on his own to figure things out because nobody is going to mess with Joe.
Tiger Woods has changed his swing and now is just another touring pro.
By the way this post is not meant to be demeaning or confrontational. When I reply to you I feel like I need a disclaimer.

Woah woah woah there fella. I want him to succeed as much as the next guy but my talking points are really about where he is hitting the ball right now and why that is. Don't make this about his family or if he is a good person or not. I am not questioing whether he is honest, humble or whatever else it is you are saying so don't go projecting that stuff on me. It's not about any of that so don't make it about that. I think he is in his own bubble with regards to how he approaches the game. What I mean by that is he's pretty much left alone to do what he wants because they trust his talent. Big difference between that and what you are saying.

Why didn't you say what you mean about him being in a bubble in the first place.

"I think he is in his own bubble with regards to how he approaches the game. What I mean by that is he's pretty much left alone to do what he wants because they trust his talent. Big difference between that and what you are saying. "

"I agree that no one in the organization will mess with him. Who in their right mind would try to change Joe's swing or approach? That would be career suicide. Have you ever thought that Joe is on his own to figure things out because nobody is going to mess with Joe."

Big difference I guess, what you mean is conjecture and so is what I say about what the team's approach to him is also.
Good night.

Who in the organization would change his approach?

Oh OK. Nevermind. He's above getting advice or taking suggestions. Let him just keep playing pepper with the second baseman. As long as he is comfortable why should it matter?

I think you may have missed my point. I don't think he is above getting advice or taking suggestions, I don't think there is any one on the staff that would have the guts to try to turn him into a power hitter. I think we have to get used to Joe being more of a Carew type table setter than a big rbi guy, as much as we hate to see it, that seems to be the way things are going. The only way I can see it change is if Joe gets tired of that role.

Mauer might be moved up to the 2nd hole in the line up tonight. Its about time that happens.

It makes more sense.

Once again, I am not saying he needs to be a power hitter. What I am saying is he's become a player without any power at all. As I illustrated in this thread earlier and as he has demonstrated once again this season, Joe is now a player virtually incapable of turning on a baseball. Aside from that HR he has not pulled a single ball yet that reached outfield depth on a fly. His next plate appearance will be #100. How long is it going to take for him to split the gap between RF and CF??? How long is going to take for him to bang one off the RF wall?? What about a simple fly out to RF?? I'll even settle for that as a good sign! As a Twins fan I find it sort of troubling that he has become a dink and doink hitter. I guess that's just me...

Put it to you this way. Nearly ONE HUNDRED players in major league baseball hit 15 or more HRs last year. Are all those guys HR hitters? Certainly not. So why is it too much to ask for him to hit 16, 17 HRs? The guy has a sweet stroke and he is certainly big enough to muscle up every once in a while. He chooses not to and it hurts the ballclub, imo. Now they have moved him to the #2 slot. He is not being paid to be that. He needs to be a more well rounded offensive and that would include occassional power.

In no, way am I saying they need to coax him into being a HR hitter. What they need to do is encourage him to TURN ON THE FREAKIN BASEBALL more often. I can't boil it down any simpler than that.

No where...

I guess the prevailing question I have is this: CAN he turn on a baseball anymore?

I'm simply basing this on his 99 plate appearances thus far and I have to say I see no evidence that he can. He simply needs accept that turning on the baseball has to be part of his repitoire. As it is now, they have slotted him in the #2 spot for tonight. What does that do for the team now that Morneau is not in the lineup?? He needs to step up in that department. Period.

"I can't boil it down any simpler than that."

Thanks, I am glad you simplified it for me. Even when I try to agree with you it seems you want to debate.
I am much older than you and there was a time I thought I knew everything. I came to the realization that knowing everything would be he ll. I appreciate you schooling me because I learn from it and even though we spar back and forth it is fun.
What grade and subject do you teach if I may ask?

I just want to talk about what's going on with Joe. Try not to make it about other things, OK?

Sorry, I will make sure it's about what you want to talk about.

Just the topic.

There was two people arguing at the bar I was at tonight about Joe Mauer. I had no idea who they were, but they were both at least 45 years old, possibly older. One guy had a similar outlook that you have, that Mauer needs to show more power (he kept saying 40 homers, which isn't what you expect) and the other said he was just fine, and kept saying Rod Carew, which I am not sure why he was.

To settle their score they actually asked the DJ (who I hated because he was remixing Led Zeppelin songs, disgusting) to ask the bar what they thought of Joe Mauer. He did, and there was a very high amount of response that Mauer needed to show more power.

Not sure if you care, or if it means anything. I just thought it was very weird and it shows you are not alone in your thoughts.

Kinda reminds me of people who get excited and vote for a candidate because they promise lower property taxes, then later get angry when funding is cut for local schools.

Just sayin, people will cheer for any vague, dumb downed hype. You would have had the same cheer if you asked the bar crowd if they thought the Twins should win more games...

I don't care about the home runs...I do care that the lack of a line drive swing isn't there.

The evidence keeps mounting up. Last night when he got that single I was like.."OK he got a run in" but truthfully it was just another grounder and it darn well could have been an out just as well.

He has yet to split the gap between right and center this year. I'm talking about a line drive that hops off the wall. He has even registered a "9" in the scorebook all season. How is that even possible? He seems content with getting on base any way he can and for him that means base hits and walks. That isn't what his role is. He should be a threat simply standing in the box even if no one is on. That would mean he needs to start turning on the baseball.

If he doesn't understand that then someone in the organization needs to explain it to him. They are finally (reluctantly I might add) starting to talk about this in the booth.