Todd Helton and Joe Mauer Hall of Fame Whatever

Hasn’t been too often that a new Hall of Fame class involves players from two of the teams I follow. 

For the sake of a header, we’ll go with Todd Helton. I expected Helton to make it in this year, given his slow and steady rise up the ballot over the previous five years. So I was all prepared to write just a Todd Helton induction piece. Then Mauer's election surprised me and I was a bit unprepared. I also don’t have a Joe Mauer jersey (or an Adrian Beltre one for that matter) in my collection.

The Hall of Fame official in charge of reading the results to the public, plus extra ceremonial padding, was nowhere near as snivelly as this screen capture would imply. Part of his speech/reading mentioned that the Hall would be inducting "several" players this summer.

Hmmm... That would imply it's Adrian Beltre and at least two others. 

Unless they're counting legendary Colorado Rockies manager Jim Leyland. Voted in by the HOF Veterans Committee, in December, 2023. Best known to me for guiding us to that stellar 72-90 record in 1999. Leyland walked away from his 3 year contract at the end of the season. He said he was treated well by the team, but he didn't think he could manage at Coors Field, in regards to what the atmosphere does to a pitching staff. At least he didn't just tank it for his final two contracted years. Not that Rockies fans would have noticed, with as bad as our pitching staff was in those years.

After it was installed, the humidor helped curb the offense a great deal to be sure. Games before that tended to become ridiculous at times. Watching the Rockies pitching staffs of the late 1990's and early 2000's was so frustrating. But we sure hit a lot of home runs! One guy specifically will benefit from that today. We'll get there in a minute.

Adrian Beltre is an absolute first ballot Hall of Famer. No debate.

Hell of a career spent with teams that I actively dislike. (Well, not the Mariners. They're in my Top 7 teams.) Because of that, I never really collected his cards. I saved them if they were interesting, but I didn't keep all that many.

These two I will not part with.

1997 Bowman Chrome Refractor - Adrian Beltre

Pulled from a box of 1997 Bowman Chrome, in the winter of 1997, from Mike's Sports Cards in Englewood.

One of several boxes of 1997 Bowman Chrome purchased from his store.

1997 Bowman's Best Refractor - Adrian Beltre

Also pulled from a box of 1997 Bowman's Best, in the winter of 1997, from Mike's Sports Cards in Englewood.

One of several boxes of 1997 Bowman's Best purchased from his store.

Relative to how much I spent on cards, I bought a decent amount of these high end Bowman products there. At one point, I was building a set of each, but gave up on them a couple decades ago now...

No offense to Joe Mauer, but I didn't see this much support coming. As recently as last summer I believed Mauer was not a Hall of Famer. His pre-concussion high level performance didn't last long enough, in my mind. All mega-contract opinions aside. I kind of made my peace with criticizing Joe Mauer after he retired, because while he wasn't my cup of tea, I can't deny him honors for his career.

Nationwide, sportswriters viewed his career differently. Arguing that his peak years as a catcher were so great, they outweigh the declining production over his first base seasons. Reading their pro-Mauer cases started to shed a different light on Mauer's Twins career, to me. Which spanned almost entirely while I lived in Colorado, so I wasn't around to watch very much of it in person.

Unlike Todd Helton, whose career I watched nearly every day from 1997 to 2013 (minus 2004 and a month of 2005). Helton was also affected by an injury that robbed him of his true potential. Like Mauer, his peak years were incredible, but there was a noticeable drop off. Mauer dealt with concussions. For Helton, it was a back injury. By the time he walked away from the game, he put up some very good numbers. 

It took six rounds of voting before Helton made it in. Only the second Colorado Rockie in the Hall of Fame, joining former Montreal Expos outfielder, Larry Walker.

There are the final vote totals for the 2024 Hall of Fame ballot. 

A-Rod and Manny are not making the Hall, for all sorts of steroid reasons. Carlos Beltran probably will, and I'd like to see Andruw Jones make it as well. Gary Sheffield drops off the ballot since it was his last year of eligibility. 

Narrowly missing out would be Billy Wagner.

1994 Pinnacle Artist Proof - Billy Wagner

Not holding his Houston Astroness against him, I collected Wagner since shortly after he was drafted, in 1993. Back when he was a starting pitcher, dominating batters in the low minors. He moved to the bullpen once he made the major leagues, becoming a likely Hall of Fame closer.

2016 Topps Archives Fan Favorites Autograph - Billy Wagner

No problem dropping $5 for his autograph. He has a really nice signature.

Maybe next year!

MLB Network showed video of each player receiving their call from the Hall of Fame, informing them that they made the cut. Odd low angle shot of Todd Helton in lavender dad shirt. I'm guessing they didn't get the carpets cleaned in time and asked for them to be cut out of the shot. 

In honor of Todd's Hall Call, I'm calling Whatever...

The Top 30 Todd Helton Cards in my Collection!

Before we get to number 30, I have to recognize the WORST Todd Helton card I own...

2012 Panini Triple Play - Todd Helton

I hate 2012 Panini Triple Play so very very much...

If I still have a card from that set, it's automatically the worst card I have of that player.

Okay, now onto some Todd Helton cards that I like...

#30 - 1999 Topps - Todd Helton

Topps chose a Stadium Club photo for his All Star Rookie Cup card. Here we have Helton shielding his poofy hairdo with a towel, during a rain delay at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Coincidentally, the same stadium where I saw my first Major League rain delay, in July 1995. (The Twins had a dome, so rain delays were not a thing with my home team.)

#29 - 2005 Upper Deck - Todd Helton

Chasing a foul ball isn't a very common fielding photo choice for first basemen. Which was a refreshing break from all of the typical batting shots card companies print. A good fielding picture is always more interesting. 

Whatever...

MLB Network Interviewed Joe Mauer while he was hiding in his basement. He said he was away from the family because he wanted quiet. Fair enough! Just strange that both Beltre and Helton were surrounded by family, while Mauer is busy pulling a Captain Honkass?

Have I been wrong about this guy?

2014 Topps 50 Years of the Draft - Joe Mauer

Mauer's Hall of Fame election makes him only the fourth 1st Overall Draft Pick to make the Hall. Ken Griffey Jr. and Larry Jones always come to mind first. Now Mauer will always pop up as my go to example. (But that's probably only to me...) It'll still take me a while to remember Harold Baines was a first overall pick. And that he's in the Hall of Fame.

Whatever.

To commemorate his surprise induction, here are the...

The Top 30 Joe Mauer Cards in my Collection!

These first three cards are tied for number 30. 

#30 - 2007 Topps Moments & Milestones - Joe Mauer

Topps Moments & Milestones was one of the most pointless sets that Topps has ever produced. Take a star player, pick a random number based on a statistical accomplishment, then make the exact same card with a different sequential number on it. Then serial number and parallel the living shit out of it too!

In 2008, Upper Deck decided to out-stupid Topps, with 2008 Upper Deck Documentary. One card for each of the 162 game of the season (plus postseason), multiplied by all 30 teams. With parallels and serial numbering... But only about 12 generic photographs used for all  Clayton Kershaw has HUNDREDS of rookie cards in that set, and I don't think anyone cares about them. To make matters worse, Upper Deck whiffed on the one thing that would have made this 5,000 plus card set actually kind of cool... Why didn't you put that game's boxscore on the back of the card? 

I didn't include any of my Joe Mauer cards from 2008 Upper Deck Documentary in the Whatever... 

Getting back on track, those three Joe Mauer cards from 2007 Topps Moments & Milestones all came from The Collector's Box, in Newark, Delaware. I had saved up a big chunk of money for Laura and my 2019 vacation to the Washington DC area. A percentage of that would go to purchases at a worthy baseball card shop, if I found one.

The owner greeted me when I came in and asked if I was looking for anything in particular. "Expos, Twins and Rockies cards." He said that was an oddly specific combination, but he'd look for stuff behind the counter, and sent me off to the singles cases. Soon, he takes a phone call and I hear him acting rather dickish to whomever the caller was. Then he says "I don't even take credit cards... I don't take debit cards either..." Which concerned me. The phone call goes on for another minute or two, and got rather funny, just hearing his end of the conversation. After he hangs up he says, "I hate these credit card operations that want to sell you upgraded equipment and insurance."

"But you do take debit cards? Otherwise I'll have to find an ATM..."

Oh yeah, no problem, I was just fucking with him!

Awesome dood!

You win my vacation card budget!

In addition to a surprise box of 2002 Topps Total and the incredible stuff pulled from the singles cases, he found a nice supply of quality singles from all three of my teams. Including these three Mauer Black Parallels, numbered out of 29. 

Not sure why 29... 

Well, Joe Mauer is the only catcher in MLB history to win three batting titles, during his career. So the three cards that say "Hits" on them can represent that accomplishment.

Whatever...

#29 - 2007 Upper Deck Batting Champion - Joe Mauer

One of the many cards pulled from the Collectors Box's quarter box. Laura was back at the hotel, working on some stuff online, in the hotel's business center. So I had several hours to myself. I was lucky enough to find a great card store a few short miles from where we were staying. Plenty of time to dig through an entirely new inventory. Definitely a vacation highlight!

Joe Mauer wore his trademark sideburns long, during his big league career. They did shorten up as his career went on, and he greyed and went with a general buzz cut under the batting helmet. On August 10, 2006, the Twins held "Joe Mauer Sideburns Night" at the Metrodome, in his honor. The first 10,000 fans were given fake sideburns with double-sided tape to stick them on their heads. For years after this promotion, they continued to sell them to little kids at the concession stands. It was really weird to see stuff like a little blonde girl walking with her parents. And she has two Little Debbie Fudge Brownies stuck to both sides of her face. 

I'm glad that trend went away... 

Whatever....

Todd Helton had an incredible 2000 season for the Rockies. Batting close to .400 throughout the Summer, ranking among the league leaders in home runs (still far behind Barry Bonds).

His season was enough to catch the attention of the fine folks at the Becketts, Who ran a short Todd Helton piece in the November 2000 issue of Beckett Baseball. Taking a brief break amongst all the monthly Derek Jeter and Mark McGwire stories.

Something that is still interesting today are these four Top 5 Countdowns. Not a Whatever, because these are sorted! I have all of those singles. None of the Certified Autographs or Insert Cards. I have a few of the 1995 SP Top Prospect cards, but I'd forgotten all about Todd Helton Peanut Butter and Jelly. I bet they were sold at King Soopers!

#28 - 2006 Sweet Spot - Todd Helton

Pulled from a pack at Mike's Sports Cards in Englewood, during the Summer of 2006. I just read that the Rockies have officially retired the black vest and undershirt combo, from their uniform rotation. While never a favorite of mine, after nearly 20 years of heavy rotation, that alternate became pretty iconic to a franchise lacking a clear purpose.

#27 - 1996 Topps - Todd Helton

Helton was the 8th overall pick in the 1995 MLB Draft. He spent nearly two full years in the minor leagues, climbing the ladder through the class-A Asheville Tourists, the AA New Haven Ravens, and finally the AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox in 1997.

He was called up to make his major-league debut on August 2 1997, in Pittsburgh, to face the Pirates. Helton started the game in left field, and went 2 for 3 in his first game. A fly out in his first at-bat, then a single off Prates starter, Francisco Cordova. In his third plate appearance, Helton hit his first major league home run, a solo shot off Marc Wilkins, It wasn't enough, and Colorado lost the game 6-5.

Back in 1996, Topps could print cards for some of the previous year's draft picks. That rule was changed in 2005, which kind of bummed me out. I always looked forward to the draft pick cards each year. Then I imagine what that would be like on cards today, and am kind of glad that rule is in place.

However, I'd really love to see Walker Jenkins 2023 Draft Pick cards in 2024 Topps Baseball.

#26 - 2005 Topps Cracker Jack - Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Todd Helton

Fairly recent pick up from the great roadtrip to Fargo. It's a mini-sized card compared to the rest of the set.

And it's pretty cool.

Whatever...

Joe Mauer graced the cover of the February 2003 issue of Beckett Baseball, to headline the 2002 Rookie Card Rolodex. Beckett ran these as a yearly feature for a stretch of time in the late 1990's and early 2000's. The sheer number of baseball sets ballooned during that period, so less and less would be written about each player, in that year's Rookie Card Rolodex. Today, it would just be ridiculous to even attempt to write. But for it's time, it was always a fun read.

I kept all of them. Perhaps someday I'll dig one out and make a story of it.

What's on the back cover?

Full page ad for 2003 Leaf! 

2003 Leaf was a really fun box to rip. I liked the base cards, and the per box odds fared well for serial numbered, autographed and relic cards. Vladimir Guerrero was featured in the packaging and advertising, almost telling me that I needed to buy this product. The Expos team set itself showcased a fair amount of Olympic Stadium shots. (Always appreciated.) The Bartolo Colon serial numbered Press Proof I pulled from a pack, is one of my all time favorite Expos cards.

Whatever...

#28 - 2018 Stadium Club - Joe Mauer

Target Field gets a decent amount of coverage on cards today. I like Target Field, but it's not a stadium design I would have gone with. Anything is better than the Metrodome. Target Field at least has a distinct look that you can recognize quickly on a baseball card.

#27 - 2014 Topps - Joe Mauer Snoopy SP

I pulled this from the first packs of 2014 Topps I bought. Which would have likely come from the Target in Sheridan, Colorado. Saw the Mauer and was happy for a new Twins card for the album.

Why is there a low-res Snoopy on my card? 

For the record, I still hate what Topps started with the 2007 Derek Jeter base card. Gimmicks like this just don't belong in the flagship set. Only my opinion. Maybe you like low-res cartoon dogs pasted on your cards of former MVP's and batting champions. Enjoy that.

Oh, this is Target Field too...

#26 - 2010 Bowman Expectations - Joe Mauer

I picked up this Mauer from (a different) Mike's Sports Cards. This one in Aurora, Colorado. Just a few mile east of Englewood. I'd wanted it for my Twins collection for a while. This was included in a big stack of Twins cards I was buying that day. He mentioned that he couldn't give me too much a of discount because of the player on the reverse side...

#26 - 2010 Bowman Expectations - Buster Posey

2010 would kind of make make this a Buster Posey (insert) RC. $8 for it in 2017 was completely acceptable terms to me.

Whatever...

Looking through the photos I have either taken with a digital camera or phone, or scanned 35mm prints, I have almost none of Todd Helton focused in the picture. Which sucks. He's probably one of the players I've seen in person the most, given the amount of Rockies games I attended between 1997 and 2013.

April 14, 2006, Rockies vs Phillies

These were the best seats I'd ever had for a baseball game. I went with a guy I worked with, and had a great time. Food brought directly to our seats, second row of seats, slightly angled from home plate. Absolutely perfect view. He had a fairly advanced digital camera from that time, and I borrowed it for a bit to snap some pictures. One of my first attempts was a Todd Helton at-bat. But I was still figuring out the most basic settings, and Helton struck a line drive to right field, scoring a run. Already out of the box when the photo took.

September 3, 2014, Rockies vs Giants

Tonight's cold refreshing beverages were served in a Todd Helton themed cup, commemorating his number being retired, a few weeks earlier. But I haven't talked about that yet.

So how about #25 on the Todd Helton Whatever?

#25 - 2000 Topps Gold Label - Todd Helton

Topps Gold Label was a lot nicer of a set 20 years ago. Those cards were thick and glossy. Today's Gold Label is usually printed on that irritatingly delicate foilboard. Which in my mind should be outlawed in the sports card market.

Helton's season in 2000, was a lot of fun to watch unfold on TV every night. He posted a batting average of .372, with 42 home runs and 147 RBI. Incredibly, the number of total bases he hit during the year exceeded 400. I'll always remember Rockies broadcasters talking about that statistic, and how rare of a feat it was to accomplish. Even trying to do the math to come up with 400 bases is hard to fathom. Sure home runs help, they wont get you there alone. You have to hit a ton of doubles and singles to even get you close. In 2000, Helton's 42 home runs combined with an eye-popping 59 doubles, 113 singles and 2 triples, gave Helton 405 total bases. Oh, and he also drew 103 walks, while only striking out 61 times.

His 2000 season was epic.

He came close to topping that in 2001, but finished the year with only 402 total bases. This accomplishment put Todd Helton alongside Chuck Klein, Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx, as the only players in history with over 400 total bases in consecutive seasons. Just a cool statistic that I never thought about until the 2000-2001 seasons. Today, whenever I hear talk of a player approaching 400 total bases, I pay attention.

#24 - 2007 Bowman Heritage Foil - Todd Helton

At least the irritatingly delicate foilboard was used on a thicker stock for the 2007 Bowman Heritage Foil parallels. I do like the fake old timey grandstand backdrop for the photo. 

#23 - 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary Cognac - Todd Helton

I much prefer the regular silver Diamond Anniversary parallel to the somewhat rarer Cognac parallel. Something about that bronzey brown color just isn't very appealing. Unlike the base 2011 Topps design, which was really well done.

#22 - 1998 Pacific Omega - Todd Helton

Pacific put out A LOT of sets in the late 1990's. And Omega was certainly one of them. I don't mind this design as an insert set, but as a base set, it's a bit much. This being a 1998 issue, it would have been sold during Todd Helton's rookie season. Where he had the added pressure of replacing the first face of this fledgling franchise...

1996 Upper Deck - Andres Galarraga

Former Montreal Expos first baseman Andres Galarraga moved on to Atlanta, after the 1997 season, to make room for Helton. Galarraga played first base for the Rockies in their very first game as a major league team. He stayed there for the next 5 seasons, posting an unreal .316/.367/.577 line, with 172 home runs, over 679 games with Colorado.  

It wasn't long before Todd Helton was surpassing even the massive numbers put up by Galarraga.

Meanwhile, back in a cold Minnesota winter of 2003...

2002 Topps Chrome Refractor - A.J. Pierzynski

To make room for top catching prospect Joe Mauer, the Minnesota Twins traded their starting catcher of the past three seasons, to the San Francisco Giants. Pierzynski was a Giant flop in San Francisco, but found his way to the Chicago White Sox for 2005, and won the World Series. While the Pierzynski trade didn't bring the Twins to the World Series, the three pitchers we got from the Giants all played significant roles. Joe Nathan became a lights out closer for 7 seasons, Francisco Liriano was a rotation anchor from 2006-2011 (minus a recovery from Tommy John surgery), and Boof Bonser threw some significant innings for the Twins between 2006-2009.

#25 - 2002 Bowman Heritage - Joe Mauer

Pulled from one of the 4 or 5 total packs I bought of 2002 Bowman Heritage. I pulled this card, David Wright, a Ken Griffey Jr. short print, and a Barry Zito Gold Refractor, numbered out of 175. Didn't think I'd do better than that with buying more, unless I really wanted to commit to 2002 Bowman Heritage. Which I did not.

#24 - 2014 Stadium Club - Joe Mauer

Not having a hobby shop around after Mike's Sports Cards (Englewood) closed caused me to completely miss 2014 Stadium Club, in pack form. Singles are rather tough to find in the wild today, so I pick them up of anyone I collect, or if the picture is cool. For Joe Mauer and this picture, two halves make one full checkmark!

Mauer made his first Major League start at first base in Chicago, on July 7, 2011. He did not make an error, had 13 putouts and two assists, in a 6–2 victory over the White Sox. Mauer played his first game in right field, on August 18, 2011. He made three putouts in an 8–4 Twins loss against the New York Yankees. Because of course we lost to the Yankees. He battled injuries throughout 2011, and missed a lot of games. Talk of moving him around the field and away from catcher was picking up steam.

On August 27, 2012, Mauer played his 832nd game at catcher for the Twins, breaking a franchise record set by Earl Battey, in the late 1960's. Now you were seeing Mauer play more at DH and first base, spelling Justin Morneau, who was battling his own injuries, then a trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mauer was the Twins' Opening Day catcher for the 2013 season. Ryan Doumit was signed as a free agent, to be his backup. However, he was named as the starting catcher to his sixth All-Star Game. A few weeks later, Mauer went on the 7-day disabled list with concussion-like symptoms. But he never returned and his season ended after 113 games. 

After the 2013 season, the Twins announced that Joe Mauer would permanently move to first base. This measure was taken to protect him from further concussions behind the plate. Hopes were to keep him on the field more, avoiding the day-to-day physical wear of catching. Hopefully the easier position on his body, would allow for his offense to come close to what he was doing before the injuries started becoming more frequent.

#23 - 2002 Topps Gallery - Joe Mauer

Taking value out as a factor, I think this is my favorite looking 2002 Joe Mauer card, that I own. The one I REALLY want would be the 2002 Topps Pristine. Which is my favorite 2002 Joe Mauer card. I paid $5 for this copy a couple of years ago. Good deal to me.

#22 - 2006 Upper Deck - Joe Mauer

Great photo. I wish I could have seen what happened in the seconds leading up to this picture. Was -whichever LA Dodger- safe or out? Was this after a stretching sliding tag or a home plate collision? Helmet and mask are off... Was this one of Mauer's first concussions?

Whatever...

These next two items were hard to scan, given their slight oversizedness.

Minnesota Twins Scorecard 2006

Joe Mauer was featured on several Twins Scorecards sold at the Metrodome in 2006.

During both the regular season...

Minnesota Twins Scorecard 2006 ALDS

And the 2006 American League Division Series. Where we were swept 3-0 by the Oakland A's. Scorecard cover boy went 2 for 11 and a walk. Didn't keep him of the the Hall of Fame...

Where he gets to hang out with this guy!

MLB Network got the first live interview with Todd Helton.

After taking the initial call by the rather tall wall from the Hall, for playing good baseball. 

Y’all…

Unlike the Twins, the Rockies didn't make the postseason in 2006. However in 2007, the Colorado Rockies did something I thought they'd never do. Make it to the  World Series! So they could then be swept by the Boston Red Sox... And I still I miss the Rocky Mountain News.

In 2007, the Rockies had finally developed some of their own offensive players to add around Helton. Matt Holliday had a massive season, and seemed to be in place to be the new face of the franchise. Who ended up traded to Oakland, after not wanting a contract of terms the Rockies were offering.

But in 2007, Matt Holliday was our best player. By far.

Featured prominently over Helton, on Colorado Rockies 2008 Postcard Schedule.

#21 - 1998 Topps New Breed - Todd Helton

Really nice looking insert set from 1998 Topps. Which I never bought any packs of.

#20 - 1999 Skybox Premium - Todd Helton

Didn't buy any packs of these either.

Here's some trivia... On June 19, 1999, Helton hit for the cycle, leading the Rockies to a 10–2 victory over the Florida Marlins, at Coors Field. This news was only overshadowed by the fact late 1990's Rockies pitching held a team to only two runs. 

That NEVER happened!

#19 - 1999 Fleer Tradition - Todd Helton

I bought a ton of 1999 Fleer Tradition. The color is bright and crisp, the photos are clear and interesting. The only thing holding it back is the size of the gold letters. They cover too much of the photo. Shrink it by half and I'd love this set. I'm only a few cards away from completing it. For over a quarter century, I've been been working on finishing that set. And it's one I'm not giving up on.

The Colorado Rockies bin at Pal's Sports Cards (miss that store dearly) rarely had Rockies cards stocked in it because I always bought them. One day last summer, two new (old) relics appeared...

#18 - 2007 Upper Deck Game Materials - Todd Helton

One came in the road gray with purple pinstripe...

#18 - 2007 Upper Deck Game Materials - Todd Helton

The other was grape flavored!

2007 Upper Deck was another set I bought way too much of. (I did complete it! All 1020 cards!) All retail packs at discount from the old Englewood Kmart. Since I was buying retail, I didn't get any relics or autographs, as they were exclusive to hobby packs. So I tend to be more drawn to inserts from this set as singles, like a few common autographs from Pal's for cheap. They fit with all the cards I bought trying to put this monster together.

Sports Illustrated - June 29, 2009

One morning when I was coming home from work, I stopped at the 7-11 for smokes and saw Joe Mauer glaring disapprovingly at me. Guess I have to buy it... I didn't know he lived in a log cabin. I knew his batting average was close to .400. Him loving his lawn mower doesn't surprise me in the least. According to something I read online; An additional 25,000 copies of the magazine were sent to Minnesota for local newsstands. But Minnesota didn't have 7-11’s in 2009...

This was Mauer's second appearance on the front cover of Sports Illustrated. The first coming in the August 7, 2006 issue.

#21 - 2007 Upper Deck Masterpieces - Joe Mauer

That same Englewood Kmart would sometimes stock 2007 Upper Deck Masterpieces (in blaster form!) on their card shelves. That Kmart had a great selection of retail packs back in the mid to late aughts. Then things slowly went downhill as the store tried in vein to fight off bankruptcy. Until it finally closed in November 2017.

#20 - 2013 Bowman Chrome Retro Blue Refractor - Joe Mauer

Kind of a pointless "look back at" insert set for Bowman.

But it looks pretty cool, so it makes the Mauer Whatever.

#19 - 2011 Bowman's Best Red - Joe Mauer

However, I do like the "look back at" insert set when it's patterned off an older set that I collected a bunch of. And I definitely bought a big bunch of 1994 Bowman's Best, that year.

#18 - 2011 Topps Marquee - Joe Mauer

But I've never bought any 2011 Topps Marquee. In fact this is my only card from the set.

That I remember absolutely nothing about.

Whatever...

Before flipping back over to the Todd Helton portion of the Whatever, I had to present an honorable mention.

2003 Topps - Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Vladimir Guerrero - League Leaders

When I first got this card in 2003, I was excited. Two Rockies and an Expo, featured on a Topps League Leaders base card. Today, this card has three Hall of Famers!

#17 - 2006 Upper Deck - Todd Helton

Lonesome dugout shot. That rules.

I really wish the Englewood Kmart would have stocked a ridiculous amount of 2006 Upper Deck discounted retail packs. I like the 2006 set more than the 2007 set. But I don't have very many cards from it.

#16 - 2004 Absolute Memorabilia Foil - Todd Helton

Absolute was another card line I never bought as packs. They were ridiculously expensive in my mind, and I never wanted to plop that much money down for only 5 or so cards. If I got 5 players from teams I didn't like, plus a crappy hit, I just wasted money on nothing I liked. Stuff like this was always a lottery ticket. Which started in the late 1990's, and is all over the hobby today.

But I still love picking up great looking singles like this for a couple of bucks!

#15 - 2007 Topps Chrome Refractor - Todd Helton

With the black borders containing all the Refractory goodness, 2007 Topps Chrome Refractors are some of the better efforts Topps has done.

#14 - 2001 Upper Deck eCard - Todd Helton

Continuing the run of Refractory foil effects, here an Upper Deck e-Card. I have no idea what these were about. Vaguely remember something about this back then, but this is the first card I've owned from the set.

#13 - 1998 Bowman's Best Refractor - Todd Helton

Topps gave a facelift to the Bowman's Best line in 1998. The card stock was changed from the standard chrome stock they had been using, to a heavier and thicker cardboard. Refractors were now serial numbered out of 400. I'd assume the change was to differentiate it from Bowman Chrome, which debut in 2007.

Whatever...

Since I just did an honorable mention for a multi-played Helton card, logic would dictate Joe Mauer gets the same treatment. So we go all the way back to 2002 Topps Heritage for...

2002 Topps Heritage - Joe & Jake Mauer

This one's pretty neat, two brothers on one card! 

The Twins picked Joe's older brother Jake Mauer, in the 23rd round (677th overall) of the 2001 draft. Jake played second base at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul. Jake Mauer retired from pro ball after the 2005 season. He went on to manage the Gulf Coast League Twins (Rookie-level). and High-A Fort Myers Miracle for two seasons. Following the 2012 season Jake Mauer was named the Cedar Rapids Kernels manager, who would become the Twins new Low-A affiliate.

Joe and Jake's other brother, Billy, signed with the Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He pitched in the low minors for three seasons before chronic shoulder problems forced him to retire. His minor league career finished at 3-4 with a  3.66 ERA, in 43 games. 

Billy and Jake run the Mauer Chevrolet and Mauer Buick GMC, auto dealerships in Twin Cities suburbs. One in Inver Grove Heights, on the southeast side of the the Metropolitan area. The other on the northwestern corner. Anoka, MN, about 4 miles from my house.

#17 - 2011 Bowman Gold - Joe Mauer

Too bad the Bowman Gold of 2011 are not a rare serial numbered insert. These were just one-per-pack standard fare. I really like this photo. Those retro 1960 home uniforms were some of the best looking the Twins have ever used.

#16 - 2009 Upper Deck Future Foundations - Joe Mauer

Recent pickup, from Pal's going out of business sale.

#15 - 2006 Fleer Fabrics - Joe Mauer

Upper Deck tried to revive Fleer, after buying their assets and trademarks, in 2005. It just wasn't the same. 2006 Fleer was okay. The design was bland and uninspiring, and the checklist was too short to capture the spirit of Fleer's base set. I did pretty well in getting decent relics from the set. Also pulling jersey swatches from Mike Piazza and Albert Pujols.

#14 - 2018 Topps - Joe Mauer

Such a great photo, probably what I would consider Mauer's best looking base Topps card.

2018 was his last season. And he put up a typical late career Mauer slashline: .282/.351/.379. Low slugging percentage, with only 6 home runs and 48 RBI in 127 games. However, Mauer led all major league hitters, with an average  of .407 with runners in scoring position. Cool, so how come he only had 48 RBI's? The 2018 Twins offense wasn't that bad...

#13 - 2005 Donruss Throwback Threads - Joe Mauer

Donruss (I can’t remember their parent company’s name… Was it Playoff?) put out some decent sets in the early to mid-2000’s, before MLB took their license away after 2005. Throwback Threads and Team Heroes were two of my favorites. You didn’t often find them at retail, and my LCS in Englewood didn’t stock all the different flavors they produced. So when I find cards of players I like today, I’ll almost always pick them up.

Joe Mauer made his Major League debut on April 5, 2004. He went 2-for-3 in his first game, including a single off Cleveland's Rafael Betancourt for his first major-league hit. Just two days later, he tore his left medial meniscus on. The injury required surgery, putting Mauer out for about 6 weeks. Mauer returned to the Twins' lineup in June, but by mid July, pain and swelling in his knee brought his 2004 rookie season to an early end. 

I watched that game on TV at the 99 Spillihp. Not doing any real work, and it didn't matter because it was 99 Spillihp. But that knee injury looked pretty sick. I remember thinking, here we go...

Whatever...

2014 Topps Gold - Todd Helton Retires

Todd Helton announced that he was retiring from baseball at the end of the 2013 season. Topps was considerate enough to issue a card marking the end of his career, in the first series of 2014 Baseball. Even if it was just a checklist on the back... Lucky for me, I pulled the gold parallel out of one of the first packs I opened.

(The same run of packs that produced that stupid Joe Mauer Snoopy card.)

Helton was honored by the Rockies in a pre-game ceremony, before his last game at Coors Field, on September 25, 2013. Helton hit a home run and drove in three against the Boston Red Sox, that night. Too bad that didn't happen in 2007... I can't say for certain, but I'm pretty sure this photo was taken just after that game ended.

This card isn't part of the Whatever, but it probably should have been.

Helton was the first Colorado Rockie to have his uniform number retired by the team.

It hangs in a circle, above the visitors bullpen at Coors Field. 

ENHANCE!

The number 42 is for Jackie Robinson, who passed away over 20 years before the Rockies played their first game. The circle with the initials KSM is for former Team President, Keli McGregor. Who died in 2010, after a rare virus infected his heart. Of course number 17 is for Todd Helton. He chose that number in tribute to former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace.

Only one other player in Colorado Rockies history wore number 17...

Beckett Future Stars - February 1993.02

None other than the first Major League player in team history, David Nied. The first overall pick in the 1993 Expansion Draft, wore #17 for Colorado from 1993-1996. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds after the 1996 season, but never made it back to the majors.

If I were him, I'd be telling everyone the Rockies retired MY number. 

After all, Helton's name isn't on it...

#12 - 1993 Topps Traded - Todd Helton

Owned a few of these for well over a year before he was even drafted. I knew he was going to be a good player, I just didn't know for which team it would be with. But he played for Team USA in 1993, according to Topps. And I thank them for it.

Helton attended Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, and lettered in football and baseball. Baseball America named him to the All-American team after his senior season, and the San Diego Padres drafted him in the 2nd round (55th overall) of the 1992 MLB draft. He chose to attend college, on both a baseball and football scholarship, instead of signing with the Padres. (I can't imagine him with the Padres...)

He played both football and baseball at the University of Tennessee, between 1993–1995. In three seasons, he batted .370, hit 38 home runs and drove in 238. Not as much of a prospect at pitcher, Helton did throw 193 innings in college, striking out 172. Posting a respectable 2.24 ERA, with 23 saves. Just in case the hitting didn't work out. I doubt the Rockies ever considered him on the mound.

Maybe they should have?

#11 - 1998 Ultra - Todd Helton

Of the base Todd Helton 1998 rookie cards, this was my favorite.

#10 - 2005 Topps Turkey Red Gold - Todd Helton

Never was a Turkey Red fan. Unless it's a high end card, designed to look more like art than a photograph, I prefer cards with the full photo. In the case of this, it's a photo heavily Photoshopped to look like it's 100 years old, but not really. Helton is standing under a strangely appropriate purple sky. It looked so much like the other cards in the pack, that I didn't know it was a parallel. I don't remember how long it was, but it may have been well over a year before I noticed it was serial numbered out of 50. 

#9 - 2005 Sweet Spot Sweet Threads - Todd Helton

This card (as well as the Turkey Red before it) was pulled from packs or boxes Mike's Sports Cards (Englewood), during my card buying binge of 2005-06. For whatever reason, his store yielded a great deal of notable Todd Helton cards for  me. Combined with his on field performance, and years of watching him playing consistently for years, it cemented my fandom.

Whatever...

2008 MacFarlane Toys - Joe Mauer

MacFarlane Toys made some really cool baseball figures over the last 20 years. Catcher throwing the ball back to the mound was an action you wouldn't expect to see immortalized in (non) action figure form. Like it so much I committed the mortal sin of freeing it from it's plastic clamshell packaging, for display purposes. Were I better at planning, I would have bought 2...

#12 - 2009 O Pee Chee Preview - Joe Mauer

Upper Deck chose to use the picture taken fractions of a second before that mold was cast, for the Joe Mauer card used to promote 2009 O Pee Chee Baseball. For the regular set, they switched this great Mauer photo to a bland, posed, just standing there shot. Didn't hold it against them, because I bought a good amount of 2009 O Pee Chee. I may or may not still have my attempted set intact. I remember being about 25 cards short when I stopped paying attention, in 2011.

#11 - 2016 Topps Chrome Refractor - Joe Mauer

I've said in the past that I didn't like 2016 Topps, but I really liked 2016 Topps Chrome. As a base design, it didn't work. As a Chrome parallel, it looks much better. This Refractor came to me from a value pack, purchased at the Pagosa Springs, Colorado, WalMarts. Which I wrote about last month. 

Pagosa Springs itself.

Not their WalMarts...

#10 - 2002 Topps - Joe Mauer

Guess you kind of need to include Mauer's flagship Draft Pick card in any Whatever dedicated to him. Never a fan of 2002 Topps Dijon Mustard flavored borders, this card should feel lucky to make the Top 10. I remember going through a bunch of 2002 Topps singles, in various stages of mid-sort, at Mike's Sports Cards (Englewood) in the summer of 2002. Mike had three Mauer Draft Pick cards, but said he was going to keep one, and only sold 2 of them to me.

Mauer played football, basketball, and baseball for St. Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders. The same high school as former Twins DH and manager, Paul Molitor. (Just not at the same time.) Mauer struck out only once during his four-year high school baseball career. He hit .605 during his senior year, and his batting average was above .500 through his high school career. He was a great basketball player for Cretin-Derham Hall. Averaging over 20 points a game at point guard. Ever the overachiever, he also was a serious high school football prospect. Committed to play football at Florida State University, if the Major League Baseball Draft didn't work out in his favor. Luckily, Mauer was selected by the Minnesota Twins with the first overall pick of the 2001 draft. He signed with his hometown team shortly after, ending all talk of football.

Probably for the best given all the concussions and CTE coming out of the college and pro football games...

#9 - 2011 Topps Heritage Chrome Refractor - Joe Mauer

Previously covered in my Farewell to Pal's Sports Cards story from a few months ago.

Maple Street Press - Minnesota Twins Annual - May 2010

Not sure how I ended up with this Joe Mauer covered 2010 edition of the Maple Street Press Twin Annual. It was packed with well written stories and information, but it came out at the end of the magazine era. So it wouldn't get a chance to become a thing, once all writing was shifted to the internet.

Damat! I miss magazines!

"Well played, Mauer..."

Joe Mauer was also featured on the cover of MLB: The Show, on the PS3, in both 2010 and 2011. As far as baseball video games go, I've never played a game better than the MLB: The Show series. I buy a new one every other year, although that will likely cease for a while. As life has gotten more and more hectic, sitting in front of the TV playing video games has been cut from my list of typical time wasting activities. Since moving back to Minnesota in 2018, I haven't had the time for it. Back in Denver? I'd likely be sitting on the couch playing MLB: The Show right now, instead of writing this...

Whatever...

MLB Network Interviewed Todd Helton, with his wife and daughters, shortly after his Hall call. He talked about his family, his teammates and the success he had in his playing career. Going back to his college days, where he was the starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee football team. His (somewhat) backup for parts of those days, was eventual NFL Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning. Who Helton maintains a close friendship with to this day.

Peyton played for the Denver Broncos, around the same time that Helton was wrapping up his career. I've never liked Peyton Manning. While I don't care at all about football, I find Peyton Manning's televised insincere plastic delivery, while shilling for sponsorships absolutely obnoxious. 

Yeah, Peyton... This pizza SUCKS!!

We only ordered it because it was free. You don't pay for garbage like this!

And you should feel ashamed for your embarrassing TV commercials with that greasy racist sitting next to you. Not that trading unbelievable, off tune jingles with Brad Paisley is any better...

Guess you need the money.

Whatever...

The next four cards in the Todd Helton Hall of Fame Whatever, all came from Pal's Sports Cards, at various points in their states of openness.

#8 - 2007 Bowman Sterling Game Used Bat - Todd Helton

Chrome relic cards are just really nice!

Todd Helton could have potentially used the rest of that bat to collect a few of the base hits he needed for the 2,000th in his career. That base hit was struck against the Atlanta Braves, on May 19, 2009. His 2,500th base hit came in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, on September 1, 2013. Narrowly hitting that milestone with just a few games left before retiring.

Much later on, I chose to retroactively celebrate these two achievements, with two Blue Refractor parallels from 2010 products.

#7 - 2010 Bowman Chrome Blue Refractor - Todd Helton

I was still living in Colorado at the time I picked this one up. Getting it for a fraction of the price it would have cost in Colorado. Glad no one here in Minnesota collects Rockies. Probably no one outside Colorado does either. But I would have bought a Blue Refractor without much of a thought given to the price. Low serial numbering helps, but Blue Refractors just look sweet. 

#6 - 2010 Finest Blue Refractor - Todd Helton

The Finest one from the same year is a perfect example. 

#5 - 2002 Fleer Platinum Clubhouse Collection - Todd Helton

Dual relic cards were a big deal 20 years ago. Now they just seem passé. Not a fan of the design here. The mismatch of conflicting fonts going on here is rather ugly. But it is a bat/jersey combo, and I got it cheap.

More importantly, who would the Twins find to put on some of their Scorecards in 2007?

Oh, that guy!

Whatever...

#8 - 2004 SPx - Joe Mauer

Yet another product from both of these players that I never bought a pack of. For a time, Upper Deck really made some nice base cards in their SPx line. But they were hard to find and expensive. Thanks in part to the the quality of autographed cards that were beginning to find their way into packs, at a lower rate than in previous years. The ease of pulling high quality autographs from packs obviously drove the prices up.

#7 - 2017 Topps Chrome Prism Refractor - Joe Mauer

That Prism effect looks really cool on this card. 

#7 - 2017 Topps Chrome Refractor - Joe Mauer

Better, but different than how it looks on the Topps Chrome Refractor. Which I pulled from one of the rare packs of 2017 Topps Chrome, I bought via retail.

#7 - 2017 Topps - Joe Mauer

Oh hell... Here's the base card, since I like the photo so much.

Still hate that design... Why is the font at a different angle than the team logo? The whole perspective is off from the player and team name, from how those bars are lined up. Topps is an interesting kind of lazy when it comes to designing their base set. Start out with an overly complicated and distracting concept, complete about 75% of the design, then hand it off to the interns to finish. 

That's what has come to mind about far too many Topps releases of the last 10 or so years.

#6 - 2003 Topps Total - Joe Mauer

The desired card in a complete team set I purchased off ebay a while back. Mainly I wanted the team set for all of the obscure players that set covered. A whole bunch of Twins players in one of their only appearances on a Topps card. Why cant that concept be brought back? While I have the 2003 Topps Total Joe Mauer, I still need the 2002 edition.

Back in 2019, while vacationing in the fine state of Delaware, I found an unopened box of 2002 Topps Total in the wild. Must buy! The major appeal being the absolute fun of ripping of a box of 2002 Topps Total... A close second would be writing a story about ripping of a box of 2002 Topps Total. In far distant third place, would be finding a Joe Mauer Draft Pick card. My box, plus another 16 loose packs (at 99 cents each!), yielded absolutely ZERO Joe Mauer Cards. The outline for that plannned Whatever featured 243 cards.

I'm not writing a Top 243 cards of 2002 Topps Total.

But I do feel like revisiting that story fairly soon...

#5 - 2010 Finest Refractor - Joe Mauer

Also previously covered in my Farewell to Pal's Sports Cards story from a few months ago.

#4 - 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary Platinum - Joe Mauer

Beautiful shot of Mauer hitting something that probably wasn't a weak grounder to shortstop. Made all the awesomer by the Diamond Anniversary treatment. Got mine in a retail pack at the Sheridan (Colorado) Targets. Thanks to that really fun Diamond Anniversary online trading game, I accumulated enough points to win a complete 2011 Topps Diamond Anniversary 660 card boxed set. Topps had a really good base product that year.

After all of the dueling Whatever countdowns, I think we need a little nutrition break...

Maybe cruise on over to the #17 Helton Burger Shack, on the left field concourse of Coors!

Just like these fine folks are doing!

Quick look at the rather limited Helton Burger Menu and the prices are pretty reasonable... Oh wait. This is a picture I took on August 16, 2011. (The Rockies were playing the Marlins, I went with my friend Dave to this game.) So I guess you should take those prices and probably double them.

Top 4 everybody!

#4 - 2021 Topps Tribute Triple Relic - Todd Helton

Another recent pick up at a discount price, from Pal's Sports Cards store closing sale. More hits from $100+ packs, that I pick up for $15, after a disappointed ripper sold it back for $8. I'll never buy those unopened packs, but will happily reap the benefits.

Case in point...

#3 - 2021 Topps Archives Signature (2019 Allen & Ginter) - Todd Helton

Also not about to drop $75 on a mystery autographed buy back Topps card. I've seen (and bought) far too many of them for around $10. For every Hall of Famer, you're going to get 12 of the back up catcher from the 2003 Red Sox (or similar). This autographed Todd Helton was mine for $25. Or about $60 less than an unopened single-card pack.

A year or so earlier, Pal's brought me this.

#2 - 2020 Topps Archives Signature (2010 Topps Chrome Refractor) - Todd Helton

I was in on my usual Saturday morning paycheck dump and just before checking out, Brian says to me:  "You didn't see the Helton card, did you?" Nope... I'm pointed in the direct of a singles case I must have completely overlooked. In the corner is this sweet buyback, an autographed 2010 Topps Chrome Refractor. A great card to begin with and yes, I want it. $60... Bit high, because it's also a 1 of 1. Awesome. Sold.

I don't consider any of the buybacks in the Topps Archives Signature line to mean anything overly special in terms of 1 of 1. There's still thousands of these cards available. Just that Topps only bought one of certain cards, so they could serial number it 1 of 1. Making the hit even hittier. They're just 1 of 1 in this non-set you've created, consisting of piles of freshly autographed Junk Wax. And I get it. A 1 of 1 is worth a premium. Even if this is an absolute stretch of the concept.

All that being said, this was my first Todd Helton autograph card. And I love it!

As mentioned earlier, Helton retired after the 2013 season. This left a gap at first base, where Todd Helton held the position since 1998. With no prospect ready to step into Helton's shoes, outside reinforcements had to be brought in...

2015 Stadium Club - Justin Morneau

A familiar face from the Minnesota Twins (after a 2 month stretch with the Pittsburgh Pirates) was signed to a 2 year contract. Morneau had a stellar 2014. Winning the National League batting championship, with a .319 average. 2015 was cut short by injury, though he batted .310 on the season. Morneau left Colorado after the 2015 season, and the Rockies have been looking for a consistent first baseman ever since.

Rumor has it, Kris Bryant gets the shot in 2024...

Justin Morneau dropped in for a surprise cameo, during Joe Mauer's MLB Network Interview. They'd been close friends throughout their Twins career, even sharing a house in 2006 (What must that have looked like?). When it became apparent that Mauer needed to move to first base in order to continue playing, Morneau was traded to the Pittsburgh Prates, to aid in their 2013 stretch run.

Joe Mauer replaced Justin Morneau, who replaced Todd Helton.

Hall of Fame adjacent! 

2003 Topps - Joe Mauer & Justin Morneau

The "M&M Boys" will forever be linked to the Twins teams of this era. Top prospects in the early-aughts, both Mauer and Morneau played in the 2003 All-Star Futures Game at U.S. Cellular Field, in Chicago. Both quickly ascended their way up the minor league system and became stars almost right away. Winning league MVP awards and leading the Twins to the postseason (so they could lose every game) in multiple seasons. Both of their careers were cut short due to injury, but had been on an unbelievable pace to become legends in Twins history. If they could have continued on the trajectory both had set coming into 2010, and the opening of Target Field, Justin Morneau would be joining Mauer in the Hall of Fame.

#3 - 2003 Bowman Future Fiber - Joe Mauer

This Joe Mauer card was the relic hit in my first and only Hobby Box of 2003 Bowman. Oddly enough, my autographed Bowman Chrome card was of former Twins prospect Beau Kemp. Two Twins hits that I really would have wanted anyway, acquired from a box in Englewood, Colorado. That worked out well for me. 

#2 - 2018 Topps Now - Joe Mauer

I watched this game on TV (September 30, 2018) and saw Mauer come out in full catching gear to start the bottom of the 9th inning. He caught 1 pitch, then took himself out of the game. Both dugouts emptied and Target Field gave him a standing ovation. This was the best possible moment for Mauer to end his career. 

Joe Mauer officially retired from baseball on November 9, 2018. He made his decision public in an open letter to Twins fans, published in both Twin Cities newspapers. Shortly afterward, the Twins announced they would retire Mauer's jersey number 7, during a pre-game ceremony at Target Field, on June 15, 2019.

A couple of months later, I found this card at a shop in Roseville for $10. Again, I'm not the biggest Mauer fan, but I needed a card that recognized that particular moment in Twins history.

Whatever...

Before I release the Top Todd Helton card in my collection, I need another nutrition break because Helton Burger just didn't find the needs of my Coors Field dining experience...

I can go no further without a Rockie Dog! I'm talking the Hebrew National version. That is the true Rockie Dog. No offense to Nathan's. He makes a fine wiener. (Just ask Ambassador Wieners!) The Rockie Dog is best enjoyed at the picnic tables, near the smoking area of the Upper Deck, behind the Coors Field clock tower.

I miss Coors Field...

Anyways...  The Number One Top Todd Helton card in my collection is...

#1 - 2005 Bowman - Todd Helton

What a massive let down!

I bought a lot of 2005 Bowman boxes that year. And I probably have at least 6 of these Todd Helton base cards.

So that's notable

But the real reason this card ranks number one is...

Thanks to those boxes of 2005 Bowman, purchased at Mike's Sports Cards (Englewood), I have a quarter of the pieces that made this card possible!

#1 - 2005 Bowman Yellow Printing Plate - Todd Helton

Very awesome to find a 1 of 1 of the future Hall of Famer, playing for the local team, roughly 10 miles south of the stadium he plays in. This was also the first printing plate I ever pulled from a pack.  Strangely kicking off a streak where I pulled 5 printing plates from Topps and Bowman hobby boxes over the next four years. And not one since. 

Whatever...

Since Target Field's concessions are pretty meh, I have no Twins related offerings for a nutrition break. Joe Mauer did one of those Got Milk ads, with the creepy white painted on mustache, but I'm not drinking milk. 

So we could always opt for an informational break. How about picking up one of the many magazines that likely doesn't exist in print form anymore!

Sporting News Baseball 2014

With Minneapolis regional cover guy, Joe Mauer!

Around this time of year, I used to look so forward to reading the plethora of yearly baseball season preview magazines. Beginning in January and March, you used to find them at every grocery store and gas station magazine rack. The Sporting News was always one of the best reads each year. In addition to the team capsule reviews, they included a few feature stories that covered interesting baseball stories. From current to former players, stadiums and teams, the content provided was something to look forward to each offseason.

As was Twins Fest...

Every year from 1989-2009, the Twins would hold Twins Fest on the floor of the Metrodome. One of the big draws was a large baseball card show that took up about 20% of the field. It was a great place to look for the harder to find Twins cards. As well as tons of cheap Twins singles, to sell the kids and parents who needed a card to get autographed in at the player stations. 

In January 2006, I made the insane weekend drive from Denver to Minnesota and back, just to attend a day of Twins Fest. I had a list of 6 cards I wanted to buy at the Twins Fest card show. By late Saturday afternoon, I had possession of five of those six. While I didn't find a 1975 Topps George Brett I liked at the price I wanted to pay, I was happy to pick up these five of the desired six:

2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Matt Garza Autograph

2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Ryan Zimmerman Autograph

1984 Donruss Don Mattingly

1984 Fleer Update Kirby Puckett

And...

#1 - 2002 Bowman Chrome Autograph - Joe Mauer

This card scans absolutely awful...

My cooling on Joe Mauer's potential hadn't yet happened in early 2006. Based on his 2004 and 2005 seasons, he looked to be something special. I wanted this card and budgeted $100 for it. Took me a bit to find one at Twins Fest, but eventually I found this copy for $80. Not even gonna haggle.

I believed in 2006 that Mauer was going to the Hall of Fame. By 2018, I was convinced he'd never make the Hall of Fame. By January 2024, he was a first ballot Hall of Famer. 

Like I said, I was always suspect of his career getting enough support to cross 75%. My thoughts were that if he had a chance, he'd get around 30% of the vote this year, then gather more support each year, if he ultimately made it in at all. Kind of like how former Expos and Rockies great Larry Walker got in a few years ago. And how Gary Sheffield gained support as years went on, yet it wasn't enough. When early polling had Mauer tracking in the mid-80% range of votes, I had to admit he had a legit shot at being elected.

Hopefully some of these players can grow their support over the next few years...

Omar Vizquel has a small base of supporters, but his totals haven't grown by much. I could see Chase Utley eventually making it, and I think Andy Pettitte probably should. Nice to see Torii Hunter still hanging around, but I don't see any surge coming. I would have expected a bit more support for David Wright in his first year. It wasn't a big peak, but he was huge for a time in the mid-aughts. Before a back injury took him out.

These former players dropped off the Hall of Fame ballot this years. While I wouldn't consider any of them to be Hall of Famers, I was shocked to see someone like Bartolo Colon come off the ballot so quickly. As a former Montreal Expo and Minnesota Twin, I was pulling for him. He had some great seasons, but it wasn't enough. Same for former Rockie Matt Holliday. As amazing as his 2007 was, carrying the Colorado Adapted Rockies all the way to the World Series, it wasn't enough to get more than one percent of the vote.

Congratulations to Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton and Joe Mauer.

Different paths to get there, but all deserving Hall of Famers.