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Mauer Has a Real Shot at .400

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2009 1:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – Opponents don’t spend much time looking at the scouting report for Joe Mauer, because it shows that the Minnesota Twins catcher doesn’t strike out, doesn’t pop up, and has no holes in his swing—and that’s no misprint. That’s why Mauer, currently hitting .394, has a shot at being the first player to finish over .400 since Ted Williams, writes Tom Verducci in Sports Illustrated.

The odds are stacked against Mauer. In the past 68 years, only one player has taken a .400 average into September—George Brett, who finished at .390. Mauer is also historically a fast starter, with a .332 career average before Aug. 1 and a .305 after. Still, teammates think he has a shot. “This may sound crazy, but it’s not like he’s been hot,” says one teammate. “He’s just so consistent.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Joe Nathan, left, celebrates with catcher Joe Mauer after the Twins defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1, June 26, 2009. (AP Photo)

Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer hits an RBI double against the Pittsburgh Pirates, June 16, 2009. Mauer went 4-for-4 in the Twins' 8-2 win. (AP Photo)

Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer gets the first of his four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates, June 16, 2009. He went 4-for-4 in the Twins' 8-2 win. (AP Photo)

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Yes, it's possible. His cooling off is everybody else's hot. - Delmon Young, Twins outfielder

Let's enjoy the heck out of it. Let's talk about .500. - Ron Gardenhire, Twins manager

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