A bunt? A bunt?

So two on, one out, bottom of the seventh, Indians on the ropes, score is 3-3, your $184-million No. 3 hitter comes to the plate, and...bunts?

I don't get it. I dont' want to get it.

Even if he had beaten it out, I'd be griping. Joe Mauer bunting with the game on the line (and no Justin Morneau batting behind him, not that that really matters in this situation) is like...well, I'd come up with an analogy, but no comparisons are worthy.

He can't do it. He just can't do it. He's got to recognize where he is in his career, who he is, what is role is, what his team needs from him. He can't sign the richest contract in franchise history and then shrug off the responsibility of getting the big hit in the biggest situation in the game.

He can't. But he did.

Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe. Say it ain't so.

I have a theory about sports, and competition in general in any aspect of life: Never make your opponent happy.

if you're the Wolves, don't hire David Kahn as your GM.

If you're the Wild, don't let Marian Gaborik get away.

If you're a newspaper, don't let your best people leave.

If you're Joe Mauer, reigning AL MVP, don't bunt. Ever.

I'd elaborate, but there's nothing more to say.

But that's no excuse for this play. With Morneau out, Mauer should be carrying this team. You don't carry a team with a bunt.