Tagged: Joe Mauer
11/24 Hot Stove – A Legend Among Us
Albert Pujols winning his third MVP is no surprise to anyone, but where Albert ranks at age 29 among the legends of this game, now that’s a story.
In seven of his nine years in the big leagues, he’s been in the top three of the MVP voting, and six of those years, in the top two! He lost out to Barry Bonds, who was on another planet, and Ryan Howard, who had a career year with 58 HR’s.
If you look at the baseball cards of the legends, you’ll see that age 29-32 is when they put up their untouchable numbers. Albert is 29. I don’t know what to expect from him next season. Maybe the best is yet to come with this guy.
I always hear Barry Larkin and Harold Reynolds say that power comes with age. As a rookie, Albert came in and banged 37 bombs and had 47 this year with a 21-game drought to finish the season.
This season wasn’t even his best year. If he didn’t hit a slump at the end of the season, he could have had a career year.
Albert is getting better and better with age, and now after nine years, his status is becoming legendary.
There are so many numbers to look at on the show today. To me, the most telling number is the number of at-bats Albert has, compared to Hank Aaron. It’s scary how much better Albert’s career numbers not just stack up, but overshadow Aaron’s numbers.
Yesterday Joe Mauer won the AL MVP, and at 26 to have that and three batting titles is a great feat. But 
Albert Pujols can’t even be compared to the best of the AL.
Forget putting him on a level with Mauer and Bonds, he’s creating his own level, which is spoiling it for the great fans who loves baseball today.
Albert no longer compares to players of the modern era – only guys like Babe Ruth and Ted Williams can be in a conversation with him.
Since day one, his offensive consistency has been astonishing. They put him at third base and in the outfield until he finally found a home at first, but his offensive potency has never wavered. Power, average, RBI’s, OBP, rarely strikes out, plus he is always on the field. There’s been no learning curve for Albert; he’s just been smarter than everyone.
He is a baseball-hitting genius, and people need to start realizing what they are seeing in the Cardinals first baseman.
Today’s show should be called MLB Hitting History Lesson: Albert Pujols and the rest of the baseball world. That’s a conversation, and we’ll have it tonight. – Greg Amsinger
11/23 Hot Stove – The Left Wing
The AL MVP winner was not much of a surprise; Joe Mauer had a terrific season, and he deserves this award.
He hit against lefties and he hit against righties while playing arguably the most demanding position on the field and winning a Gold Glove.
He had a dynamic year.
The Twins were a team decimated by injuries, and Joe was no exception, missing all of April with an injured back. He came back with a bang, blasting a home run in his first at bat, and he carried the Twins from that point on. The Twins pulled off something special in the AL Central, and Mauer was a key component in that charge to the playoffs.
Greg, Al, Mitch and I will be talking to Joe at 6pm ET, on Hot Stove.
The runners up had terrific years, but Mauer Power was just too much.
Derek Jeter silenced his critics this season, proving he his can still play the shortstop position at a high level for a World Championship team. He also hit the ball pretty well too.
Mark Teixeira was everything the Yankees hoped he would be when the opened the bank for him. He performed under the pressure of New York, had a great year at the plate and is also the best defensive first baseman out there right now.
Speaking of first baseman, there is no doubt that Albert Pujols is going to win the NL MVP tomorrow. As long as he’s breathing, in uniform, and at the ballpark, he’s the best player in the NL. No question he is the total package.
Tony La Russa called him the best player he’s ever managed He’s managed a cluster of great players, including Rickey Henderson, Mark McGwire, and Jose Canseco, but Albert is a once in a lifetime kind of player.
And just in case you’re wondering, Pujols is 0-1 against my change-up. Got him to pop up. – Dan Plesac
Click here to watch the interview with Joe Mauer from Monday night.
11/19 Hot Stove – MVP Predictions
With the MVP Awards being handed out next week, I went around the MLB Network Studio to see who the favorites are in our halls.
Now Al and Victor agree that it’s going to be Albert Pujols in the NL and Joe Mauer in the AL. They seem to be strong favorites.
Harold agrees on Pujols, but he believes that Derek Jeter will take home the title in the AL. For Jeter, an MVP would really top a busy award season. He’s already won the Hank Aaron Award, Roberto Clemente Award, Silver Slugger Award, Gold Glove Award, and another one of those World Series rings.
As for my picks, I’ll have to agree with Al and Victor: Pujols and Mauer Power all the way.
Don’t forget to tune in to Hot Stove tonight at 6pm ET. Harold, Victor, and Al will be talking to now 2-time Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum. – Hazel Mae
Click Here to watch the interview with Tim Lincecum from Thursday night.
9/22 MLB Tonight – B. Larks Blog
Tonight we’re going to break down the playoff races to see what’s carrying teams into October baseball.
The Angels and Yankees might just be a preview of what we will see in October. Last night the Angels seemed to put it all together, and there’s no better time than now. With all the injuries to key players, inconsistency, and the tragic death of Nick Adenhart, there have been two keys which have carried the Angels:
Bobby Abreu’s consistency and patience in the line up.
Mike Scioscia’s professional approach to managing the ballclub.
It’s remarkable what they have done this season.
With Joe Girardi giving his players time off, the Yankees haven’t been cruising into October, but with 9 games left, it’s time for them to get focused, and revved up so they don’t stall in the playoffs.
In the Central, the Tigers will have a big test tonight against an Indians team they have dominated all season. Let’s see if Edwin Jackson can bounce back tonight, because with Jarrod Washburn’s bad knee, and an inconsistent offense, the Twins are knocking loud and hard on the door atop the AL Central.
And let’s talk about those Twins who have been simply amazing, mainly because they have been doing it without that “wow” guy going out there every five days. Their pitching staff reminds me a lot of Brad Radke, getting hitters out with sinkers, and backed by the always consistent defense, this year led by Orlando Cabrera.
The Twins seem to have taken a page from the Angels’ book on playing winning baseball. They have won with a patient approach and guys stepping in for injured stars. Joe Mauer, MVP??? Guys like Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer have really stepped up since Justin Morneau was shut down with a bad back. They need to keep playing well going into their crucial series in Detroit.
Denard Span has also been a huge part of the Twins offense. I’m interested in seeing how Span comes back from being hit in the head last night. I got hit early in my career and it took me a while to get comfortable in the batters box.
One guy to keep and eye on tonight is Zack Greinke. If he wants to win the CY Young, he’s going to have to pitch well against playoff teams. This is also his 1st appearance since being drilled on the elbow, so let’s see if he can get the job done.
Turing to the NL race, it’s do or die for the Giants. Tonight against the Diamondbacks they’ve got to take care of business, especially against Mark Reynolds, who has 43 Home Runs going into tonight.
In San Diego the Rockies are going up against a Padres team which has been playing well of late. Can they do to the Rockies what they have done to the Giants and Dodgers? Or can the Rockies hold on to what they’ve got, with Jorge De La Rosa on the hill tonight, a hot Troy Tulowitzki, and a resurgent Jason Giambi?
See you next time- Barry Larkin
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