Posted on: May 26, 2026, 07:43h.
Last updated on: May 26, 2026, 07:43h.
Joe Mauer is arguably the greatest-hitting catcher of all time.
The former AL MVP was a six-time All-Star during his 15-year MLB career with the Minnesota Twins (2004-2018), winning the batting title on three occasions, becoming the only catcher in MLB history to do so. He is also just one of two catchers to win the MVP award in the 21st century.
MINNEAPOLIS – OCTOBER 06: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins dives back toward first after a single during the American League Tiebreaker game against the Detroit Tigers on October 6, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)Mauer keeps busy in his post-MLB career, as he is preparing for the American Century Championship, an annual celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe he’s been involved with in recent years.
Notable former MLB stars such as John Smoltz and Derek Lowe are in it along with well-known former athletes such as Tony Romo, Ray Allen and Brian Urlacher. Longtime NHL veteran Joe Pavelski won last year’s tournament.
The first place prize is $150,000 and up to $750,000 in total money will be distributed.
Mauer recently sat down with Casino.org to talk about the golf tournament, the current direction of the Minnesota Twins, Byron Buxton’s early power surge and his thoughts on the star catchers of today, Cal Raleigh and Shea Langeliers.
Mauer reflects on Twins’ .500 start
Joe Mauer: “I feel like it’s been an up and down start already to this early season. There’s a couple guys struggling, Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis. They’ve had some struggles early on, and actually I think Royce just got demoted to AAA here, which was kind of a surprise. But hopefully those guys can hit the reset button and get back to doing what we know they can do and help this team win a few more games.
“I really like Derek Shelton, the manager. He’s a great guy. I’ve been in the same clubhouse with him, and he’s just a good human being. He’s also a good baseball mind. Definitely a great guy with creating a good culture for these guys to succeed. I’ll keep my eye on him, and I’m hoping for the best. I feel pretty good with Derek there at the helm.”
On Byron Buxton’s extreme power surge early on this season
“Honestly, not really surprised at all. I played with Byron a few years and saw him right when he got drafted with the Twins. Here’s a guy that has every tool in the toolbox. He’s got power, speed, and above all that, he competes. Great guy to have in the clubhouse, and obviously he’s the leader of that team.
“He does a great job, and to say he’s been off to a good start, no surprises there. I just hope he can continue what he’s doing and help those younger guys along. It’s a young squad and a young talented team, and hopefully those kids can kind of follow the lead of Bux.”
Where Buxton ranks among the top MLB players
“He’s one of the most exciting players in the game. He can do it all. He can impact the game in so many different ways — not just with the bat, but with his glove, with his base-running, and his tools. You don’t really have to know baseball to know that he just stands out a little bit from the other guys. That’s always been kind of his thing, that you’ve got to keep him on the field, and when he can stay healthy, he’s going to put up some good numbers. So happy that he’s staying healthy, and I always enjoy watching him play the game.”
Who has the athleticism, the speed, and the power
“He’s a guy that could be a 30-to-40 home run guy, but also steal that many bases. He’s definitely one of those guys. I’m trying to think off the top of the head, there’s not many of them. It’s a shorter list, but he’s definitely one of those guys that has the ability to do that.”
Potential Twins’ trades
“Well, I think Buxton put himself in that position to have some input on it. He’s been around for a little while, and I believe he’s got a no-trade clause. Every decision is unique. Every player’s got their own things that they prioritize, and that go into a decision like that.
“I know Buxton wants to win more than anybody, and I think he wants to win in Minnesota, and that would be something that I would like to see. But I just wish the best for him. Such a good guy, was a great teammate, and I hope he gets that chance to win. And I really do hope it’s here in Minnesota.”
Thoughts on Langeliers’ ascension
“It’s such a demanding position, and if you can get some production on the offensive side from the backstop, that’s definitely a bonus. I haven’t had a chance to watch him as much as I’d like to, but I do like watching him play. I think he is a heck of a ballplayer. I don’t turn the channel when he’s playing. When you have a guy like that that can perform on both sides, that’s a special thing, and that’s not an easy thing to do.”
Maur reflects on comparable players
“Oh man, that’s a tough question. I honestly don’t like to compare players, because I feel like sometimes it can put a little unfair pressure on them, and I think players are unique, but he’s definitely one of those guys that I like to keep my eye on and just enjoy watching play the game.
“Maybe that’ll be further down the road, I’m sure we’ll be comparing other catchers to him, but that’s just how it goes. I totally understand that, but I’m trying to think, I can’t really put my finger on somebody right now, but I do definitely like to watch him.”
er child for the Athletics’ franchise transition to Vegas
“Yeah, that’s what we were saying earlier. It’s definitely unique when you can get an impact player at that position, kind of like last year with Cal Raleigh. He did some things at that position that you just hadn’t really seen, even though he hasn’t got off to the start that he wanted this year. Players like that should get that attention.
“That (catcher) position in general, they usually don’t like the attention or draw the attention. Everybody on the field knows how important it is to have a guy back there that knows what he’s doing. I think not just the Vegas market, but Major League Baseball in general. He’s a guy I think you can get behind.”
Cal Raleigh’s early-season struggles
“Well, I think it’s still early, you know. We’re what, a quarter of the way into the season? Players like that, they don’t stay down for too long. I had my fair share of struggles, and I think even nowadays with just media in general, it’s just more publicized than it was. You can’t go to a ballpark without numbers flashing every type of metric, telling you how good or bad you’re doing. It’s a mental game, and it’s hard.
“I can relate to having those struggles. You have ups and downs, and throughout the course of the season — I think he knows this — he’s got people around him. But you look at the long term instead of just the short term, and I have a feeling he’s going to get going here as the weather starts warming up.”
How Raleigh can break out of the slump
“Well, it could be that. It could be nagging injuries. I mean, being at the catcher position, you’re exposed to a lot more dings and bruises, and that all factors into the overall performance. And you could be dealing with something that most people don’t know. It could be a mental thing. A player and a talent like that isn’t going to be held down for that long, and when the weather warms up, I’m sure he’ll start warming up too.”
Batting Prowess and Advice
“Just keep grinding. Every day is a new day, and I always say, ‘You never know what’s going to happen when you show up to the ballpark.’ I tell young players, try to control the things that you can control, and you try to put yourself in the best position for success. If you do that day in and day out, you usually have that success. It’s a hard game mentally, physically, but one thing that’s going for him is that he’s proven he can do it and do it over the course of a season. I would just tell him, stick with the plan.”
Best batter and pitcher in Major League Baseball
“That is a great question. I think what (Shohei) Otani is doing right now is unbelievable. I haven’t seen any research, but his numbers are, I don’t think he can really fake those numbers on the mound, and I feel like he’s a man on a mission this year, wanting to go after that Cy Young award. I think he’d probably be at the top of my list for a pitcher.
“As a hitter, I enjoy watching a lot of different hitters. Aaron Judge has had some unbelievable seasons the last few years with power and average, and I love guys that hit and hit with high average with runners in scoring position. Honestly, I haven’t watched as much baseball as I’d like to this early season, but those are a couple of guys that I always love to watch.”
Exclusive: Joe Mauer talks Twins, Shea Langeliers, Cal Raleigh and American Century Championship NYT News Today.
Hence then, the article about exclusive joe mauer talks twins shea langeliers cal raleigh and american century championship was published today ( ) and is available on NY Times News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Exclusive: Joe Mauer talks Twins, Shea Langeliers, Cal Raleigh and American Century Championship )
Also on site :
- Katseye Brings the AMAs’ House Down With Beary Exciting ‘Pinky Up’ Performance, Before Winning Best New Artist
- Girl Group KATSEYE Deliver Dance-Heavy “Pinky Up” Performance at 2026 AMAs
- KATSEYE Shouts Out BTS for ‘Inspiring Us’ in New Artist of the Year Acceptance Speech at 2026 AMAs