On one side of Ft. Myers, Fla., Twins catcher Joe Mauer finished his workouts and started heading to the clubhouse. A Twins official hustled to help Mauer wind his way through the horde of fans, but by the time he reached him, Mauer was patiently signing autographs and chatting up people from the ages of 8 to 80.

Every third group of fans offered the All-Star hope that he would get his contract extension with the Twins completed, and once in a while, Mauer would throw in a “Me, too” with a smile. The best player in the American League smiled his way down the line of fans, posed for a couple of pictures with kids, because he is who he is — and who he was 25 years ago growing up in St. Paul, Minn.

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