Commentary: Mauer happy to play  in Minnesota ... for now

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer 10:37 PM Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A Minneapolis Star-Tribune reporter noted in a story following Joe Mauer’s election as the American League’s Most Valuable Player that it took the national media “fewer than five minutes” to start asking him about his place in Minnesota.

“I knew I’d probably run into a question like that,” Mauer said on the teleconference. “I’ve always said it will take care of itself when it needs to.”

How could we not question Mauer’s future place of employment? One has to assume that any elite player not with the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels or other big-money powers will eventually get there, even if it means leaving a team that drafted him behind.

In listening to Mauer, he seems to be a loyal, level-headed player who wouldn’t do something just for the money. But, just like a worker in any walk of life wants to be with the most powerful company in the best living conditions, professional athletes are often the same.

In this case, those places also happen to be where the most money flows in baseball.

It’s kind of sad, actually, to watch a news conference like the one Mauer held Monday and hear him explain his enthusiasm about being the MVP for a team that drafted him and know he has little chance of finishing his career there.

And now, especially after winning MVP, Mauer — like LeBron James — will face the question of his future more often.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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