Twins amused, offended by You Tube clip alleging Mauer stole signs

The Twins took a little offense after a YouTube clip posted by a self-professed Joe Mauer fan was said to show him relaying pitches to Jason Kubel.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: October 2, 2009 - 1:14 AM

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DETROIT — The Twins were half-offended and half-amused Thursday, as a YouTube clip of Joe Mauer allegedly stealing signs from second base made the rounds on laptops and cell phones throughout the clubhouse.

"That video's a joke!" Justin Morneau said.

"That's why we're three games back -- we're stealing signs," manager Ron Gardenhire said before the Twins trimmed the Tigers' lead to two with an 8-3 victory.

And the word from the alleged sign stealer himself?

"I just think it's funny because, yeah, as baseball players you try to get edges any way you can," Mauer said. "But at that time [on the clip], it was more of a coincidence than anything. I wasn't relaying any signs at that time."

The clip is from Detroit's 6-5 victory on Tuesday in Game 2 of their day-night doubleheader at Comerica Park. After Mauer doubles, he is on second base as Jason Kubel battles Justin Verlander through a long at-bat.

Tony Faust, a 28-year-old graphic designer from Maple Grove, added captions to the video, giving his version of events.

When Mauer grabs his ear flap, the captions suggest he is signaling a curveball for Kubel, with a hand near the face suggesting fastball.

"I love Joe Mauer," said Faust, adding that he is a lifelong Twins fan. "I put it up because I respect what he's doing. It's not illegal. That to me shows he's the MVP. I'm the biggest Joe Mauer fan in the world."

Twins players picked the video apart, noting when the captions incorrectly described the pitch.

Faust said there were several interesting coincidences, too. "I might be wrong on a couple of [pitches]," Faust said. "But I don't think anyone can argue with what you're seeing there."

Tigers catcher Gerald Laird, another prominent player in the four-minute clip, said he hadn't viewed it but did say the Twins have a reputation for being masters at stealing signs.

"That's what they're known for," Laird told the Washington Post.

When told of Laird's comments, Gardenhire, who hadn't viewed the clip, said, "That's the best they can come up with? Chrysler. Every team in baseball tries to steal signs. Every team in baseball tries to get the coaches' signs, the manager's signs, so ... really, that's old stuff."

Mauer often grabs his ear flap, no matter where he is on the bases. "It's just a habit of mine," he said. "I don't know why I do it."

Gardenhire said teams somtimes will relay signs from second base with subtle foot movements, etc.

"If you're stealing signs, and you're using your hand on your helmet, then I guarantee someone would get killed [with a retaliation pitch]," Gardenhire said. "That's not the way you steal signs. So this earhole-helmet thing, if that's what you guys saw, and that's how he's giving location, I promise you they have no clue."

Kubel, who hits a sacrifice fly in the clip, was amused by the footage. He said he was not getting the signs from Mauer but added, "I could see where [Faust] was coming from."

Mauer said he heard a few hecklers Thursday calling him a cheater.

"Joe's a guy, all the years I've played with him, I don't think he's ever given away anything," Kubel said. "If he had, I'd be hitting a lot better than I am."

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