Joe Mauer announced his retirement from baseball Friday, ending a professional career spent entirely in the Twins' organization.
Mauer, 35, has long been recognized as a premier player and an all-around good guy. Both elements featured prominently as former teammates, opponents and coaches reacted on Twitter to the news:
WYLLYS: Mauer stuck with what worked for him at early age
Not bad for a couple kids from Minnesota. It was an absolute honor to share the field with this guy for 17 years. #JM7 pic.twitter.com/CXru7rC3bQ
— Glen Perkins (@glenperkins) November 10, 2018
Joe Mauer. Great player. Better person. Best of luck in your next chapter
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) November 9, 2018
Congratulations to the @Twins Joe Mauer on a First Class Hall of Fame career ! The fans love you, the kids admire you and your peers respect so much about you! Enjoy your next chapter Joe!
— RyanDempster (@Dempster46) November 9, 2018
Words can’t even begin to describe how incredible it was to suit up next to #7. Joe Mauer made the people around him want to be better. He will be missed in our locker room. #LEGEND #7 #MinneJoeTa
— Matt Magill (@magillmlb) November 10, 2018
The first time I met Joe Mauer was in Ft Myers in 2011 when he was rehabbing. I was walking backwards and I stumbled into him 🤦🏼♂️
— Todd Van Steensel (@toddvs35) November 10, 2018
He said sorry to me.
A true gentlemen.
Enjoy retirement #7
Joe Mauer. He raked. I mean, HE RAKED.
— Michael Young (@MikeyY626) November 10, 2018
Great catcher too. Best game caller I played against. They say catchers call pitches they can’t hit themselves. Well...Joe hit everything. He was always a step ahead, and great at avoiding patterns. All the best to a class act! https://t.co/3Eo4ETqgFf
Joe Mauer. You have always gotten it! Great career!! Better person!! You know who you are and have stayed true to your values!! Congrats on a great career. Your next chapter is going to be that much better!!
— Frank J. Viola, Jr. (@FrankViola16) November 9, 2018
Congrats on a HOF career Joe Mauer! It was a pleasure to share a field with you @Twins
— Dietrich Enns (@DietrichEnns) November 10, 2018
It was always a pleasure stepping in the box with Joe Mauer! Congrats on an amazing career and good luck from another dad of 3! https://t.co/BV5pYQD84H
— Billy Butler (@BillRayButler) November 10, 2018
Mauer made his announcement in an open letter to fans. He will meet with the media at noon ET (11 a.m. CT) Monday at Target Field in Minneapolis.
