Before J.T. Realmuto became an All-Star catcher for the Miami Marlins, he was playing shortstop for the baseball team at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma. But one of his favorite big league players at the time wasn't a shortstop. It was Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.
The way Mauer played and approached the game left an impression on the young Realmuto, who would later move behind the plate himself.
Realmuto is now coming into his prime, just as Mauer steps away. The Twins icon announced his retirement in a letter to fans on Friday (Saturday in Japan).
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