A Dual‑Sport Legacy
Joe Mauer, a Baseball Hall of Famer, grew up in a household where the crack of a bat was as familiar as a Sunday dinner. Though he was a top high school quarterback, Mauer chose baseball over football, a decision that led to his selection as the first overall pick in the MLB draft and a career that culminated in the Hall of Fame.
Mauer’s family tree is steeped in the sport; his brothers, grandfather, and father all shared a love for baseball, shaping his early development and reinforcing the path he ultimately pursued.
This summer, Mauer will trade the diamond for the fairway at the American Century Championship, a charity golf tournament scheduled for July 10‑12 at Edgewood Tahoe in Nevada. The event will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock, with the winner taking home $150,000 and the tournament distributing $750,000 in prize money to various causes.
Mauer joins a field that includes NFL stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, both of whom have roots in sports other than football. Their participation underscores a growing trend of athletes from different disciplines converging on the golf course for a common charitable purpose.
Beyond the competition, the championship has raised more than $8 million for non‑profit organizations, channeling a substantial portion of its prize pool into local and national charities. Mauer’s involvement adds a new chapter to a career defined by choices that blended personal passion with professional ambition.