Appreciating the underappreciated Joe Mauer

Raise a glass of room-temperature tap water to Joe Mauer. On Thursday night in Minnesota, the veteran Twins star became the 287th and newest member of the 2,000 Career Hit Club, with his two knocks in a 4'0 win over the White Sox gaining him entry. He punched an RBI single into centerfield against Chicago's Lucas Giolito in the third inning for career hit No. 1,999'prompting the oh-so-clever playing of fellow Minneapolis icon Prince's 'Party Like It's 1999' afterward'then made history in the seventh with another single, this one off lefty reliever Aaron Bummer through a drawn-in infield, to drive in a pair and reach 2,000.

As noted above, the 2,000 Hit Club is crowded, both past and present. Aside from becoming No. 287 in its membership, Mauer joins nine other active players beyond the ropes, and by season's end, he may have to scoot over a bit to allow Chase Utley (currently at 1,856 career hits) and/or Ian Kinsler (1,828) some room as well. But Mauer's accomplishment is a little more exclusive in franchise history, as he became just the third player ever to reach 2,000 as a member of the Twins, joining Hall of Famers Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett.

The history-making night continues what's been a terrific start for Mauer, who is slashing a blazing .412/.545/.529. He's picked up 14 hits in 10 games across 44 plate appearances and has 10 walks to just seven strikeouts depite no homers. That's not all that surprising: Aside from his AL MVP-winning 2009 campaign when he homered 28 times, Mauer has never topped 13 dingers in a season. Instead, his calling card throughout his 15-year career has been hard line drives up the middle and into the gaps, with a freakishly consistent ability to go to all fields.

Joe Mauer notched his 2000th hit tonight... Here's his career base hit spray chart with a red star marking his 2000th pic.twitter.com/b5O1QFDEnb

The hot hitting is also a welcome return to form for Mauer, who hasn't been much of a force at the plate over the last four seasons. Last year was his best in a while, as he finished with a batting average of .300 or better and slugging percentage over .400 for the first time since 2013. Related or not, that downturn coincides with his move out from behind the plate and over to first base: Since switching positions after the 2013 season, Mauer has hit an anemic .277/.361/.390 (not counting this year) with a 106 OPS+. That's a far cry from the .323/.405/.468 he slashed from his rookie season in 2004 through '13, winning the MVP and five Silver Slugger awards in the process.

The last few years have also been a period of declining health for Mauer. No longer a catcher to protect him from concussions, he's still struggled to stay on the field as a first baseman and designated hitter, averaging only 138 games over the last four years. But so far so good in 2018, with Mauer starting 10 of Minnesota's 11 games this season after an incident-free spring training and bounce-back '17 season. And the Twins need him that way if they want to earn a wild-card spot again or even challenge the Indians for AL Central supremacy.

Joe Mauer is only the third #MNTwins player ever with 2,000 hits. The others -- Kirby Puckett and Rod Carew. There are seven in franchise history between Twins and Washington Senators.

— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesMLB) April 13, 2018

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