Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins legend, to be inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame after appearing on 1st-ballot

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Joe Mauer, the hometown kid who became a fan favorite and MVP with the Minnesota Twins, found out Tuesday that he will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame later this summer after making it on his first time on the ballot.

Mauer received 76.1% of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballots; he needed 75% to be inducted.

Mauer grew up in St. Paul and was a was a multisport athlete for Cretin-Derham Hall. The Twins drafted him first overall in 2001, and he made his MLB debut in 2004. He won three batting titles, the most ever for a catcher, and was named American League MVP in 2009. He retired in 2018 with a career batting average of .306 and 143 home runs.

“On behalf of the Pohlad family and the entire Minnesota Twins organization it is our absolute pleasure to congratulate Joe Mauer on his deserved first-ballot election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” Twins President & CEO Dave St. Peter said. “Few people have embodied the values and spirit of the Minnesota Twins like Joe Mauer; from the moment his name was called on draft day in 2001, Joe has been a true hometown hero and a cornerstone of our organization. His humility, leadership, kindness and care for others, paired with his unparalleled excellence on the diamond, have made him a role model for generations of youth across our region.

“Today is a special day – for the Mauer family, for the Twins and for all of Twins Territory,” St. Peter said.

The Twins retired Mauer’s No.7 jersey in 2019 and inducted him into the Twins Hall of Fame last summer.

Seven Twins have previously made the hall: Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, Bert Blyleven, Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva. The Washington Senators, who became the Twins after moving to Minnesota, also had six players enshrined.

Twenty-six players total were eligible for the 2024 ballot, and Mauer was one of 12 first-year candidates. Former Twin Torii Hunter was also on the ballot. He received votes on 6.9% of ballots last year.

This year’s induction ceremony will take place July 21.

Anthony Bettin

Anthony Bettin is a web producer at WCCO. He primarily covers breaking news and sports, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings.