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NewsCut
Bob Collins

1,000 Words: Yes Joe, there’s crying in baseball

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Joe Mauer doubled in his final at bat on Sunday, then gave every indication his career with the Twins is over when he caught a single pitch in the ninth inning before exiting to the cheers of a tearful hometown crowd.

Joe Mauer
Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer, the subject of retirement talk, acknowledges a standing ovation as he donned catcher's gear and caught for one pitch against a Chicago White Sox batter in the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Minneapolis. Mauer began his career as a catcher before switching to first base. The Twins won 5-4. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Mauer said he hadn't opened the bag with his catching gear since 2013. But he said he found it at home, put it on, got emotional, and came up with the idea.

IMG_20180930_173955
Long after the game ended, fans at Target Field stayed to watch Joe Mauer's news conference on the video scoreboard. Bob Collins | MPR News.
Joe Mauer
Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer, the subject of retirement talk, is accompanied at first base by his twin daughters during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Joe Mauer
Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer, the subject of retirement talk, acknowledges a standing ovation before batting against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

There aren't that many people sportswriters will applaud after a news conference.