Mirror Image: An early injury also marred superstar potential in '04
18/04/2024 14:00
Can the Twins overcome Lewis's quad like they did Mauer's knee?
After 24-year-old Royce Lewis's 2023 playoff heroics revitalized Twins Territory, his first 2024 swing lofted a home run over Kauffman Stadium's LF fence—the legend seemingly continued. Two-and-a-half innings later, he was removed from the game after coming up lame rounding second base. Diagnosed with a significant quad injury that will likely cost him at least two months, it was a bitter pill in lieu of the high expectations.
Two decades earlier, a remarkably similar scenario befell a budding young superstar.
Joe Mauer & the Slide Heard 'Round The World
As 2004 dawned, 21-year-old Joe Mauer was the talk of the town. With the Minnesota Twins having traded away popular (yes, he was loved here before he was boo'd) backstop A.J. Pierzynski for a haul of prospects, it was clear that GM Terry Ryan believed the Cretin High School graduate ready for The Show after just two-and-a-half minor league campaigns.
Such trust was not blind. After striking out a grand total of "once" in high school, Mauer never batted below a .302 clip at any minor league iteration. In the '04 season opener, Joe rapped out two hits and drew two walks. The next day? Sadly, that is when disaster struck.
IN THIS PHOTO: Torii Hunter and Joe Mauer congratulate one other after Mauer drove in Hunter with a long sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning." data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fGzwavQJcFadvEiQmQ0d2xVZW1Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25388325/1155619614.jpg">Photo by MARLIN LEVISON/Star Tribune via Getty Images
While chasing a foul pop fly behind the Metrodome's home plate in the early innings, Mauer awkwardly slid and caught his cleat in whatever substance doubled for grass in the Dome. He initially stayed in the game and socked a single to lead off the third inning, but after a late stop-sign from 3B-coach Al Newman, he was removed for a pinch runner.
Shortly thereafter, Mauer was diagnosed with a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. He would not return to the lineup until June 5. Even then, after about a month of regular action, the decision was made to shut down Mauer's rookie season on July 15 after ongoing knee pain and swelling became too much to bear.
Joe's talent was inescapable: .939 OPS in 122 PA—most with a balky knee. He still of course managed to have a Hall of Fame career. But his freshman foray had largely been thwarted.
For the rest of the 2004 season, Henry "Hammerin' Hank" Blanco assumed the brunt of catching duties. Though putting together a career season of his own, I'll never shake the feeling that a healthy #7 would have finally pushed the Twins over the New York Yankees come October.
It remains to be seen if '24 Royce Lewis can log more time on the field than '04 Mauer. Whereas Baby Joe's injury was of the more freakish variety, Rolls Royce has an injury history already longer than most players' career IL time. But his presence in the lineup has certainly seemed to equal that of #7's—so the promise of hope is always in the offing.
