Fan Friday – Chris Mangan

Posted by John on July 3, 2009 under John | Be the First to Comment

This week’s Fan Friday comes from South Dakota. Chris Mangan is the Sports Editor for the Collegian, the school paper of South Dakota State University in Brookings. Follow Chris on Twitter @mango4.

It’s the beginning of July, not even to the half way point of the season, and already a mystical number is being brought up in relation to the Twins, specifically Joe Mauer–.400.

No one has hit over .400 since 1941 when Ted Williams hit .406, it’s just too hard of an accomplishment. It seems like every year someone gets off to a red hot start and that number gets thrown around, only to see the player fade during the dog days of August.

It’s going to be a challenge for Mauer, who is hitting .392 following a 3-for-3 day against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, to hit .400. He plays one of the most demanding positions in baseball and his body takes a beating every game from foul tips and crouching.

Mauer doesn’t seem to be prone to long term slumps but he has a tendency to fade in the second half of the season. In 2006-2008, Mauer has hit just .310 after the All-Star break, including hitting .311 in the second half of 2006, when he won his first batting title.

Two people that are going to play a vital role in Mauer’s quest for .400 are Justin Morneau and Ron Gardenhire. If Morneau is able to keep up the pace he is on, pitchers are going to have to pick their poison. The extra protection from Morneau will let Mauer see a lot more pitches but it also means Mauer doesn’t have to press and try to carry the team himself.

Gardenhire might be the most important part besides Mauer though. Gardy has to be careful and not overuse Mauer so he doesn’t wear down in the second half of the season. Gardy has used Mauer has a DH several times this year, which gives Mauer’s body a chance to rest but it also lets him stay in a rhythm at the plate.

Mauer may continue to hit around .400 all season or he might fade in the second half, either way I am going to enjoy the ride.

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