Last Monday, American League Most Valuable Player Joe Mauer signed an eight-year/$184 million contract extension with the Minnesota Twins.

The St. Paul native, who grew up eight miles from the Twins former home ballpark, the Metrodome and nine miles from brand new Target Field, always preferred to remain with his hometown team.

“I love putting on the Minnesota Twins uniform and I’m just really thrilled to be able to do this for the rest of my career. I tell everyone here that I’m going to give you everything I got and the ultimate goal is to win that World Series.  I’m looking forward to doing that, this is where I wanted to be,” explained Mauer during a press conference in Fort Myers, Florida.

Mauer, the three-time AL batting champion, was drafted by the Twins, first overall in the 2001 draft. In the years since, he has developed into one of baseball’s greatest superstars. 

While Mauer’s stature and wealth have grown exponentially, his unassuming, Midwestern sensibility has absolutely remained in tack.

Mauer was scheduled to become a free agent after the 2010 season.  His availability would have almost certainly created a massive bidding war between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.  Because of this looming situation, the Twins were determined to lock him up prior to next season.

Mauer wanted to stay and the Twins wanted him to stay.  With this being the case, both parties acted in good faith to satisfy this collective desire. 

The Twins will open up Target Field with their hometown hero in tow until 2018.

Below is a video link courtesy of DRUDIAMONDTV.  This compilation displays Mauer in three separate situations in New York City.

The first scene takes place at 4:00 am, on October 7 of 2009.  That night, the Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers in a one-game playoff in Minneapolis.  After the victory, they immediately flew to New York to play the Yankees in the ALDS.  This early morning encounter takes place outside of the Grand Hyatt New York.

The second scene is set at the very same location, later that day, after the Twins lost Game 1 of the series to New York.

The third scene involved an interaction with Mauer, at an NYC club, prior to the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

His approachable demeanor is apparent during the entire piece.