Joe Mauer became only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award, finishing first in a near-unanimous vote yesterday.By: Ronald Blum|Date: Nov 24, 2009

When the phone rang, Zack Greinke let it go; he didn’t recognize the number. Only after listening to the voice mail did he call back and find out he’d won the American League Cy Young Award.By: Ronald Blum|Date: Nov 18, 2009

Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman stood a few feet from each other on the red carpet near the World Series trophy, wearing blue jeans and sports jackets without ties. They were dressed for success, if not for a gala.By: Ronald Blum|Date: Nov 23, 2009

Joe Mauer sat behind a table on a podium in a conference room at the Metrodome when Justin Morneau shouted out the last question of the day. "Are you finally going to buy dinner now?" Morneau said to his teammate from the audience, one MVP to another.By: Ronald Blum|Date: Nov 23, 2009

...investment required to make it competitive was too high. MVP vote a Twin killing (November 24, 2009) By Ronald Blum THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK Joe Mauer became only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most...

...investment required to make it competitive was too high. MVP vote a Twin killing (November 24, 2009) By Ronald Blum THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK Joe Mauer became only the second catcher in 33 years to win the American League Most...

...Published: November 23, 2009 11:54 pm PrintThis Mauer almost a unanimous pick as American League MVP By Ronald Blum Associated Press NEW YORK — Joe Mauer sat behind a table on a podium in a conference room at the Metrodome when...

... Mauer Near-Unanimous Pick As American League MVP Twins Player Only 2nd Catcher In 33 Years To Win AL MVP RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer POSTED: 2:01 pm EST November 23, 2009 UPDATED: 6:22 pm EST November 23, 2009 EMAIL...

NEW YORK -- After a tumultuous season in which he was traded twice, booed by Mets fans, and then nearly carried the team into the playoffs, Mike Piazza decided he likes New York after all.

The All-Star catcher agreed to a $91 million, seven-year contract with the Mets yesterday -- the richest deal in baseball history. Piazza's contract, which averages $13 million a season, tops the $75 million, six-year agreement that Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez signed last December.

By: Ronald Blum, Associated Press|Date: Oct 27, 1998

NEW YORK -- Change does not come easily to the Vienna Philharmonic.

Eight days after admitting its first woman, there was the orchestra, up onstage at Carnegie Hall, not a female in sight.

By: Ronald Blum, Associated Press|Date: Mar 10, 1997