Joe Mauer, a St. Paul native and Minnesota Twins legend who graced the backstop for the team for 15 seasons, was recently honored with a statue at Target Field, joining other Twins greats Rod Carew, Harmon Killebrew, Kirby Puckett, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, and Tom Kelly. The statue, unveiled on April 13, 2025, and created by artist Bill Mack, captures the sights and sounds of summer baseball and immortalizes Mauer's contribution to the game.

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Mack is a hometown legend in his own right. From Minneapolis and now living in Parkwood Knolls, he is a globally recognized artist whose work adorns public spaces and private collections alike. Mack is widely known for his relief technique, a style that is uniquely his own. This technique is a form of sculpture where the figures project only slightly from the background, which lends itself perfectly to capturing subtle nuances and conveying a sense of depth.

Although sports fans may know his work of Twins greats to works showcased in many major sports Halls of Fame, Mack has also sculpted and painted iconic Hollywood stars, people, and musicians. With his ability to capture the essence of his subjects, this latest of seven player statues created by Mack since Target Field opened in 2010 is a fitting tribute to the character of the Twins’ treasured #7.

From the folds in Mauer's uniform to the catcher’s mitt and down to his sideburns, all details are incredibly lifelike, making it feel as though Mauer is truly present at the stadium. Mack asked Mauer how he wanted to be depicted and Mauer stated, “One of my favorite things to do was to throw runners out and that’s what I thought we should go with.” 

The process began with a photo shoot where Mauer donned his mitt, uniform, pads, chest protector, and cap from his 2009 MVP season that were in the archives at Target Field. He was in that pose for a “long time”, according to Mack, and over 1000 photographs and video were taken to give Mack the information he looked for to sculpt in clay. Next, the clay model (moquette) was translated into individual molds and then filled with molten metal at the American Fine Arts Foundry in Orange County, CA. The resulting cast pieces are then welded together and showcase intricate artistic details while creating the larger-than-life bronze sculpture.

All of the sculptures at Target Field are the same scale; 125% of life-size. The deliberate scaling puts Mauer’s 6’5” frame translates into a statue that stands over 8 feet tall. Mack crafts the sculptures in both his professional studio, Camelot, and his home studios. The sheer size of the sculptures requires a physical commitment, often needing him to climb up and down ladders to meticulously shape and refine each detail. Mack offhandedly attributes the seven ankle surgeries he's undergone to the rigors of the job. He confesses, "I might miss a rung on the ladder; I'm into the art and work," highlighting his dedication to the craft that sometimes leads to minor mishaps.

This statue is not just about the physical representation of Mauer. Mack has also captured the sounds and memories of summer and baseball that are so closely associated with a players’ career. The crack of the bat, the muffled thud of the ball on a mitt, the throw of the catcher’s cage, and the sound of the ball whooshing through the air are all immortalized in the statue. These sounds, so familiar to anyone who has ever attended a baseball game, are brought to life, allowing fans to experience them in a new and unique way.

Mack is quick to point out that the statue is not about him, but rather about the player and the person. He has a special ability to capture the character of each person he sculpts, and this latest work of art is no exception. The statue is a tribute to Mauer's skill and dedication as a player, but it also captures his humility as a person.

Whether you're a fan of art, the Twins or simply a lover of baseball, the statue is a must-see and a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players in the team's history and a true legend of the game. It is a true work of art where Mack captures the essence of summer baseball and one of the Twins’ greatest legends. And for Mauer himself, the statue is a testament to his impact on the game and a monument that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Learn more about Bill Mack and his collections at billmack.com.

Pull Quote: One of my favorite things to do was to throw runners out and that’s what I thought we should go with.  ~ Joe Mauer