Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau: BFFs

It's no secret that Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer are close friends.  Both players share the same initials (doesn't that make you best friends automatically?!) and the same adoration from millions of fans (especially women across the Midwest...and beyond!).

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau shared a St. Paul townhome for many years, as we've covered before on this blog.  Through interviews and pictures, it's clear they balanced each other out--Justin Morneau was more laid back and messy, Joe Mauer a bit more reserved and tidy.  Apparently Justin Morneau would really have to persuade Joe Mauer to go out with friends after games and socialize.  And both were injured frequently in past seasons, missing big streaks of games, much to the disappointment of Minnesota Twins baseball fans.

Now that both Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are in serious relationships, I bet they get together for evenings out as couples.  We're watching these two friends grow up before our very eyes (ahhhhhhh).

Joe Mauer's Potential Career Choices Post-Minnesota Twins

After learning about Joe Mauer over the years, I've come to realize he has the potential to step into many careers after his time with the Minnesota Twins comes to an end (sob).  After reading through many articles and online sites, I've realized Joe Mauer gravitates toward the arts.  Seriously!  Stay with me here.

Let's start with potential career number one: acting.  We've seen it time and again in the variety of commercials Joe Mauer has starred in.  He delivers his lines naturally and accurately, plus his good looks are made for the big screen.  Who knows?  He could be the next star of a blockbuster someday soon...perhaps a role similar to that of Jacob in Twilight?

A second career option post-Minnesota Twins baseball would be as a rapper.  According to a revealing Star Tribune article a couple years ago, Joe Mauer often raps even in front of fellow Minnesota Twins baseball players.  He also has a recording studio at his cabin in Minnesota!

Last but not least, perhaps Joe Mauer could be a singer.  Remember his lines in the Explore Minnesota commercial?  Listen again at 00:39.

Ok, yeah, maybe Joe Mauer should stick to catching for the Minnesota Twins for awhile.  Pretty sure he's found his calling.

Joe Mauer's nicknames

Minnesota Twins players often get lasting nicknames.  Kent Hrbek was Herbie, Paul Molitor was Molly and Kirby Puckett was Puck.

How come Joe Mauer seems to just be Joe Mauer?  (Not that there's anything wrong with that....I just wonder if he'll ever get something else, too!)

Nickname possibilities for Joe Mauer could include JM, though that cuts too close to fellow Minnesota Twins player (and former roommate) Justin Morneau.  Perhaps Joe Mauer could go by "7" since he proudly wears that number on his Minnesota Twins uniform.  Joe Mauer's last name is difficult to abbreviate like the Hrbek, Molitor, and Puckett brigade.  "Mauery" or "Mau" just doesn't have the same ring as "Puck."  In fact "Mau" conjured images of a certain Chinese dictator...not the kind of association a young Minnesota Twins baseball player would enjoy.

Looks like Joe Mauer will be just that--Joe Mauer--for his professional career.  Or, according to Sports Illustrated, American Idol.  Both are fine with  me!

Father's day for Joe Mauer's dad, Jake

Joe Mauer has a great set of parents and Jake Mauer is clearly proud of the three Mauer sons he's raised.  In honor of Father's Day, here's a quick haiku for all you Minnesota Twins baseball loving dads out there.

 The crack of a bat

Brings kids and dads together

At the baseball field.

Make sure to take the time and say you appreciate the dad in your life!  A couple of Minnesota Twins baseball tickets to go see Joe Mauer live and in action sure never hurt any blue-blooded Minnesota Twins baseball dad, right?!  Here's an easy place to pick up a pair for you and your dad (I like supporting local Minnesota companies!); it's a great last minute gift in case you put it off until now.  Just pick out a nice card and slip inside a print-out of your ticket confirmation.  

Minnesota Twins baseball for your dad = a perfect way to spend time together!

Minnesota Twins Home Game Tonight!

The Minnesota Twins baseball team takes on the Milwaukee Brewers tonight at Target Field.  I know I always profile Joe Mauer on this clearly named "Joe Mauer on a Mission" site, but today I thought I'd give a few fun facts about the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team to get us all pumped up for tonight's game.

*  The Milwaukee Brewers were established in 1969.

*  The Milwaukee Brewers have gone through four logo evolutions over the years.

*  Paul Molitor, former Minnesota Twins player and fellow Cretin-Derham Hall alum like Joe Mauer, had his number retired from the Milwaukee Brewers.  What an honor!

There you have it!  Now that you have a few facts under your belt, get ready to enjoy the game.  I'm watching it from home tonight, but maybe there are a few last tickets remaining.  Enjoy!

Joe Mauer, aka Joseph Patrick Mauer

I met a little boy the other day named Orion.  He was at a birthday party that also saw kiddie guests named Jasper, Thea, Porter, and Cain.  I mostly know this because the kids made name plaques for an activity and I was there to help paint their bizarre names across each tile.  It sure makes me appreciate the classic masculinity of Minnesota Twin baseball player Joseph Patrick Mauer.  Talk about a name that will weather the generations!

"Joseph" means "Jehovah increases" and is the 20th most popular name in the U.S.  The name is found everywhere from the Bible to the Minnesota Twins baseball roster and everywhere in-between: G.I. Joe, Joe the Plumber, and Joe Biden.  Yep, it's a pretty plain name, but it's a solid good guy name.

"Patrick" means "noble, patrician."  Though it's Latin, it is often tied to Irish culture.  We have many Patricks in pop culture: Swayze, Dempsey, and Buchanan.  And who can forget St. Patrick's Day?

So there you have it: two thumbs up for Joseph Patrick Mauer, a solid name for a solid guy.  

Joe Mauer's Cabin

The last post here was about Joe Mauer's house and now we turn attention to Joe Mauer's cabin.  Like any good Minnesotan, Joe Mauer's cabin is here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and according to his friends, it is not a little lakeside shanty, but an enviable manor.

Joe Mauer's cabin features a bunch of awesome amenities including a batting cage, movie theater, and bowling alley.  What a place!  Joe Mauer also loves recording raps, so the cabin comes with a recording studio, too.  Of course, Joe Mauer has plenty of surrounding land for hunting (and privacy, I'm sure), but if the weather is crappy, sounds like he'll be comfortable indoors!

Joe Mauer even imported mountains to flank his cab-mansion!

In a 2009 interview, Joe Mauer's dad Jake said the cabin is a place for Joe Mauer to be just that...himself.  It sounds like an awesome escape from the reporters and grueling Minnesota Twins baseball schedule.  If there's one place to sink money, it's definitely a lake spot and this one sounds like it can't be beat!