Twins legend Joe Mauer of St. Paul debuts on Hall of Fame ballot

Joe Mauer’s case for the Hall of Fame will be considered for the first time this offseason.

The 2024 ballot was released on Monday, and long-tenured members of the Baseball Writers Association of America will submit their votes between now and the end of the year with results being announced on Jan. 23.

Candidates must play in the major leagues for at least 10 seasons and be retired for five years to appear on the ballot. Mauer, who retired after the 2018 season at age 35, will provide a compelling case for voters.

The St. Paulite was a career .306 hitter, a three-time Gold Glove catcher and a six-time all-star during his 15 seasons, all with the home-state Twins.

Mauer, who was selected first overall in the 2001 draft, had his best season in 2009, when he was named the American League MVP. He hit .365 with a 1.031 OPS and a career-high 28 home runs and 96 RBIs that year. He is the only catcher in major-league history to win three batting titles, doing so in three of four seasons between 2006-09.

He was one of the most prolific offensive catchers the game has seen, but eventually moved off the position for the final five seasons of his career because of concussion issues.

He’s already made it to one Hall of Fame, becoming the newest member of the Twins Hall of Fame this summer.

“For me, I’m just humbled and honored to be in this position, to celebrate the Twins Hall of Fame, which means a great deal to me,” he said in August. “Cooperstown, that’s out of my hands. Obviously, it would be an unbelievable call to receive someday, and I hope I do.”

A player must receive votes on at least 75 percent of the ballots to be elected, and voters can select up to 10 players. Players who receive five percent of the vote will appear on the ballot again the following year for up to 10 total years.

That’s the case with Mauer’s former teammate, Torii Hunter, whose own case will be considered for the fourth time after garnering 6.9 percent of votes last year.