Eighteen years after the Twins took Joe Mauer with the first overall draft pick, the hometown star with the textbook left-handed swing was still having a hard time realizing his place among the franchise's all-time greats.
As Mauer's jersey number formally joined the seven others retired by the Twins on Saturday night, the six-time All-Star and three-time batting champion sounded as awestruck of his place in team history as on his first day of rookie ball.
"Wearing the No. 7 the past 15 years has been my absolute pleasure," Mauer said, his voice cracking as he paused to compose himself, "and being able to play my entire career in that number in front of my family, friends and fans here at home means more to me than any of you will ever know."