Does Joe Mauer Have a Chance at Cooperstown?

Joe Mauer has formally called it career with an open letter to Minnesota Twins fans.

Mauer, a native of St. Paul, played his entire 15-year MLB career with the Twins. In 2006, Mauer became the first catcher to win a batting title since Ernie Lombardi in 1942. Mauer would repeat the feat in 2008 and 2009. It was in '09, that Mauer would win his lone AL MVP with a career high .365 average with 28 HR and 96 RBI. Mauer was certainly the best catcher in the AL between 2006 and 2013 with six AL All-Star selections, five Silver Slugger Awards, three Gold Gloves and three post-season appearances.

Unfortunately concussions forced Mauer to convert to first base full time in 2014 and his offensive production never recovered. He would not put on the catcher's gear again until his final big league game when he caught one pitch.

Given that Mauer played less than half his career games behind the plate, it could work against him getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame. On the other hand, Mauer is so strongly identified with the Twins that it might get him over the hump much like the late Kirby Puckett. Mauer might not get in on the first ballot, but he will get a good look.