Golden Valley Memorabilia Shop Sees Impact from Joe Mauer Hall of Fame Vote
The induction of Minnesota Twins legend Joe Mauer into the baseball Hall of Fame is being celebrated around the state, including at a store in Golden Valley.
“We’ve been taking calls. Our eBay has gone a little nuts,” said Mark Hochstaetter, owner of Papa Hawk Sports and Collectibles.
The store has autographed bats, baseballs, jerseys and photos of Mauer. Hochstaetter says a Joe Mauer autograph is distinctive.
“When you look at the baseballs, the signatures are very significantly the same,” said Hochstaetter. “You know his signature whether it’s on a baseball, a photo, a magazine, 3×5 index card, whatever he signed for you, hat, jersey. He’s very consistent in how he signs.”
The Golden Valley store even has a bobblehead from Mauer’s Cretin-Derham Hall playing days.
Joe Mauer autographed baseballs
Hochstaetter took time to reflect on Joe Mauer the baseball player and Joe Mauer the person, calling him an “all-around good guy.”
“I think that he gave 100 percent all the time. Even when he wasn’t feeling good or his body hurt,” said Hochstaetter. “He was just a nice guy. He always had time for kids. He always had time for the fans. He never pushed anybody away.”
Mauer holds the MLB record for the highest single-season batting average for catchers (.365), which he set in 2009. He also became the first catcher to win three batting titles. Hochstaetter said he was good defensively too.
“He called great games. And even when he got [moved] to first base he was helping the pitcher,” he said.
In case you were wondering, a Joe Mauer rookie baseball card is worth anything from $15 to $30, but that figure is expected to go up.
Joe Mauer autographed jersey
See Also: Business Matters: Papa Hawks Sports & Collectibles Expands
