Anne Stein

Joe Mauer

Catcher, Minnesota Twins

Age: 25

A schoolboy phenom seemingly groomed for major league stardom, Mauer was the first prep player ever named the nation’s best baseball and football player in the same year. (Florida State coach Bobby Bowden claims he’ll hold a scholarship for former quarterback Mauer “until his baseball career is over” in order to get him to QB his Seminoles.) Mauer struck out only once in his high school career, batting .567. And in 2006, Mauer hit .347 and became the first catcher ever to win an American League batting title.

What’s been the favorite moment of your career so far? Well, I grew up about 20 minutes from the Metrodome, so Opening Day of my rookie year in 2004 was pretty overwhelming. I was hurt pretty soon after that (Mauer tore his left knee chasing a foul pop in early April and played only 35 games all season), but putting on the uniform of my hometown team at such a young age was pretty overwhelming.

When I was on the verge of the batting title (the race among Mauer and New York Yankees Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano went down to the season’s final day), I was really nervous and excited, too. To be on the verge of history like that, and to come through under the gun, I’ll never forget it.

What’s been the toughest moment of your career? Baseball is a game of small successes and minor setbacks, and you have to manage them in order to have any success. You know, it’s the old don’t get too high or too low adage. But that injury, in my second game as a major-leaguer, was a tough blow. I’d never been hurt before and at age 20, it creeps into your head that you might never be the same again.

Who’s your favorite athlete in another sport? I followed all the Minnesota teams growing up, so I had my favorite hometown guys in all the other sports. But no one stood out to me like the Twins. It’s always been baseball first for me and my entire family. (Former Twins outfielder) Kirby Puckett was my idol. I always dreamed of playing with him, or imagined what it would be like to be on his team.

What’s your favorite movie? I can’t really think of one right now — there are a lot I like. I usually watch TV, like SportsCenter or MTV.

What’s your favorite book? I like nonfiction, health and wellness types of books. I don’t have a favorite. An old teammate gave me one, The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity, that I read and liked a lot.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Shoes. I have a lot of shoes. I don’t even know how many I own, but I know I have more than I need. My mom, she says I have a shoe problem.

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