When a Twins fan mocked Joe Mauer by donning a customized t-shirt after $184 million contract

MLB star Joe Mauer spent 15 years of his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins. Mauer re-signed a $184 million deal with the Twins in 2010 over eight years, the fourth largest contract in baseball history.

A significant portion of Twins supporters wanted Mauer gone, claiming that he was not deserving of it. They cited data (he hadn't hit more than 11 home runs since signing the contract after hitting 28 in 2009), efforts (many questioned why he missed nearly half the season in 2011 due to bilateral leg weakness), and his personality as evidence.

Mauer was incredibly well-liked in his hometown otherwise, but there was a group that despised him. One supporter even went so far as to have a "$23 MILLION" rainbow printed on a Mauer No. 7 t-shirt.

This shirt I swear to god Hold me back guys hold me back [email protected]

Sports Illustrated quoted Andy Rennecke, a former sportswriter, as saying:

“Some of us started to call him ‘Baby Jesus.' It felt like you couldn’t be critical of Joe because everybody felt like he walked on water. He was one of us. How dare anyone be critical of him.”

“Joe’s personality lends itself to a lot of ridicule. He shows no emotions, he’s always the same guy. He’s almost like a robot,” Rennecke added. “So, when he was suffering from a mysterious injury like “bilateral leg weakness” in 2011 and getting $23 million per season while the team was tanking, fans started to rebel against him."

Joe Mauer - an MLB superstar

Mauer made his first MLB appearance in 2004. He went on to receive five Silver Slugger awards, including three in a row, and the 2009 American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Mauer: " This is my first tweet ever. Just want to say thank you to the fans for voting me into this years ASG. Never gets old." #ASG - MLB

He has also earned three straight Gold Glove Awards (2008–2010). He is the most recent catcher to win the American League MVP award (or even finish in the top three of the vote) as of 2021.

Joe Mauer - Divisional Series - New York Yankees v Minnesota Twins - Game Three

As the first overall pick in the MLB draft in 2001, the Twins chose Joe Mauer, a Minnesota native who became a fan favorite throughout his career.