Some year, eh, kid? http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/5003756.html La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune September 28, 2004 Joe Mauer did as ordered last week. For the first time in more than two months, he got down in a catcher's squat. "It took a while to get back up," Mauer said with a wry grin. "I hadn't been down there in a while." The event occurred Friday at the Cleveland Clinic, at the request of specialist Dr. John Bergfeld. Bergfeld determined that Mauer's surgically repaired left knee would need more rehabilitation, not additional surgery. And, perhaps equally important, Mauer would not require a position change. "It was feeling a lot better," said Mauer, the first overall pick in the 2001 draft out of St. Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall High School. "Still, after doing all those tests, I was happy to hear what he had to say. I still have a long way to go before I get 100 percent. "All along I figured that I would have the offseason to rest it properly and get it ready for next year. To hear him say that -- that I should have no problems -- made me feel better." Mauer took ground balls at third base Sunday in Cleveland, but just to get him moving around the field. "I was like, 'Oh man, it's going to be in the papers that I'm switching to third base,'" he said. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire repeated what he has said throughout the summer: If Mauer can return in time to help as a pinch hitter in the playoffs, fine. But the main priority is for him to be a full-time catcher next season. "I don't want him to come into next year with any doubts in his mind that his knee is going to make it," Gardenhire said. "We will get by this year. I want to make sure he is healthy for next year." Mauer has played in only 35 games because of a left knee that had a moderate to large portion of the meniscus removed April 8. The knee flared up again in July when he was taken off anti-inflammatory medication, leading to another trip to the disabled list. Veteran Henry Blanco has taken over full-time catching duties, backed up by veteran Pat Borders, acquired in an Aug. 30 trade. Full-time rehab Since the meniscus acts as a cushion between the upper and lower leg, the bones and remaining cartilage in the area needed time to adapt to the change. Mauer maintained a rigorous training schedule, wondering each day when, and even if, the knee was going to come around. He commuted 30 minutes daily from St. Paul to Eden Prairie, where he ran in a pool for an hour. Then he headed to Edina around 11 a.m. to work out at a rehabilitation center that many Twins players have used. He'd stop back home for a quick lunch, then go to the Metrodome in the afternoon for more exercise, such as riding a bike or pushing off on a sliding board. By the time teammates arrived and prepared for a game, Mauer already had put in a full day. He got home around 11:30 p.m. "Us winning definitely helps," he said. "I wish I was out there with them. I've been going 100 miles an hour every day." The knee began to feel much better over the last couple of weeks. Twins coaches noticed Mauer putting on power displays during batting practice. "You watch him take batting practice and you can tell he's better because the ball is jumping off his bat," Twins bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek said. "That's the knee he's pivoting off of. You couldn't do that if something was bothering you." Hoping for health Mauer hasn't played in a game since July 15. He has blown his rookie eligibility when many had tabbed him as a can't-miss rookie of the year. He has spent most of the season staying out of the way of teammates who have helped the Twins win at least 90 games for the third consecutive season. The 35 games he did play were enough to indicate the hype was justified. He batted .308 with six homers and 17 RBI. Baltimore Orioles scout Deacon Jones said he sent his team a report with the following next to Mauer's name: "Every thing you have heard about this kid is true." For a while, it all was almost too good to be true. "I get up here, and spring training went great," Mauer said. "The first night, I get a couple of hits. The next night, I'm going to the hospital. "You get to a high and get brought down a little bit. But you come back and start hitting the ball well and we're winning games, then the All-Star break comes. It has been a roller coaster." Twins General Manager Terry Ryan feels for Mauer. His sweet swing has been restricted to batting practice. His trusty catcher's mitt and shin guards have been substituted with weights and a knee brace. "I'm sure he's had enough of the doctors and enough of the trainers and enough of the [disabled list] and enough of therapy," Ryan said. "He's just a 21-year- old kid who has never been hurt in his life." Mauer, while sitting in the training room at the Dome recently, said to head trainer Jim Kahmann: "My goal for next year," Mauer said, "is to never come in here." --

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