Read the opposing argument from Loyal Homer.
It is an age old sports debate type of question – who is the best player to design franchise around, player X or player Y?
It is a debate that transcends sports organizations, teams, even Centuries. It is one that sports fans constantly ponder, argue about, even punch each other in the face about. Most cases are difficult to argue, with each side’s argument rather convincing. The same is true of today’s newest installment, pitting Minnesota Twins catcher/favorite son Joe Mauer against the incredible and impressive St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.
We certainly are not the first sports media outlet to ponder this topic construct featuring these two players, either. In fact, it has been done from a variety of angles in the past. Even our friends over at ESPN SportsNation have addressed this interesting topic.
Of course, our format is different, as is our analysis, which separates TSD from the others as a more versatile and complete overview… much like the way that Joe Mauer is a more versatile and complete player than Albert Pujols.
Loyal Homer recounts Albert Pujols’ career stats as the foundation for his case that Pujols is better to build a team around than Mauer. Pujols does have great stats. In fact, they are much better than Mauer’s, though Pujols has played ten seasons to Mauer’s seven.
But, consider some statistical proximities as proof that Mauer and Pujols are at least statistically in a similar class. Mauer is in his seventh season but already has an MVP trophy, though Pujols has three. Mauer has his .327 for his career to Pujols’ .332 (Loyal Homer rounds up). Mauer’s best single season batting performance was just last season when he hit an incredible .365, Pujols’ best effort topped out at .359. Both of their career on base percentages are over .400, both have a batting average over .300 in the postseason, and Mauer’s .995 career fielding percentage and two Gold Gloves exceed Pujols’ achievements by .001 in fielding percentage and one in Gold Gloves.
Both are amazing players, and remarkably similar in terms of statistics provided power is removed from the equation. But, while Pujols has power, further enhancing his already strong hitting credentials, Mauer has complex, multi-faceted game that Pujols does not – making him the better candidate to build a team around.
Joe Mauer is a catcher while Pujols is a first baseman. Therefore, Mauer plays the more physically and mentally demanding position in baseball, and perhaps in all of sports (now that’s a juicy debate for another day). Mauer is just 27, but has not spent as much time on the DL as Loyal Homer would have you believe. Plus, while Mauer’s exemplary defense has already been highlighted, his handling of the many different pitchers that have comprised the Twins’ pitching staff over his seven seasons is another distinguishing characteristic Pujols cannot compare to. Mauer has presided over, coached up, facilitated, weathered, and showcased a very high performing pitching staff season after season.
Mauer’s pitching staff’s have always hovered around an ERA of 4.00. That is seriously good.
Despite injuries, personnel turnover, free agency uncertainty and all of the issues that plague a professional baseball team’s desire to remain consistent, Joe Mauer has been the rock, the steadying force behind the plate for the Minnesota Twins. His underrated yet uncanny knowledge of baseball has guided pitchers to success even from his rookie season. Mauer’s smarts and physical abilities are on display in every game he plays – his stamp on every game is unquestionably greater than Pujols simply because he impacts the game more with his decisions, defense, and hitting.
So Mauer and Pujols are both great hitters and above average defenders. However, Mauer’s position on the field, and subsequent mastery of it, immediately vaults him to the head of the pack in this fictitious yet interesting debate. Though trailing the elder Pujols by three seasons, Mauer’s body has more wear and tear by virtue of the constant squatting, the foul balls off the knee pads and chest protector, and the home plate collisions. Mauer is a tough dude, but a more complete player.
But, there is another factor, of course, that distinguishes Mauer from Pujols. Mauer was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a happy hometown player. (He knows a thing or two about where LeBron is right now in his career.) Mauer’s career will likely place him in rare company when all is said and done, certainly the prospect of the Hall of Fame is within reach. When starting a franchise, it sure helps to have a homegrown talent to sell tickets. If that homegrown talent also happens to be a future Hall of Famer, it is the perfect player around which to build a franchise. Perfect.
The Twins are one of the most consistently good franchises in baseball season after season. The team is renowned for its commitment to the fundamentals of baseball – good pitching, solid defense, clutch hitting. Few teams have been able to replicate the formula with as much consistent success. Mauer is understandably a big reason why, as he embodies the abilities the Twins – and anyone who understands success in baseball – value the most.
Remember, the threshold to win this debate is not to determine which player is better. Rather, the proof must reveal which player is ideal to build a franchise around.
To win this argument Mauer does not have to be a better player than Pujols. He only has to be in the same vicinity as Pujols in terms of production – which he is – and be a more versatile and complete player, enhancing his overall value to a team. Throw in the “hometown hero” factor and there simply is no question that Joe Mauer is the better centerpiece for a franchise to build around.
