View on Joe: Calling game is a learning process

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Once Joe Mauer makes his debut, he'll have something in common with Terry Steinbach.

Steinbach broke into the majors just before Oakland won three consecutive division titles and one World Series. Like Steinbach, Mauer will have to handle a pitching staff on a team with high expectations.

Catching is tough enough.

"As a young catcher, the most difficult thing you have to watch out for is that whole game-calling thing," Steinbach said. "You gain knowledge by experience. The more you catch the more you get back there, the more you will remember what a hitter does in certain situations.

"All indications are that he's going to be fine, but you have to get back there, catch these guys, call pitches with hitters up in different situations."

A catcher has plenty of tools to use during a game. As Mauer gains experience, he'll learn how to exploit hitters.

"It's like the Joe Carter situations," Steinbach said. "Every year, Joe Carter had 100 RBI. With no one on base, Carter was pretty patient, waited for a nice pitch and got his swings in. Put a guy on third base, no matter where you threw the first two pitches, Joe was swinging. It took me three, four, five years to learn those situations and then go out to the pitcher and say, 'Bounce those first two pitches.' "

Mauer is projected to be an impact offensive player, but Steinbach's suggestion is for Mauer to focus on the pitching staff. Steinbach spent a few nights in Oakland manager Tony La Russa's office going over his pitch selection and not his hitting.

"He told me a couple times, 'If you don't call a good game, I don't care if you go 4-for-4, you'll be gone. You're not up here to hit,' " Steinbach said.

"In Joe's case, I think the same thing should apply. His first job should be, 'What do I have to do to handle that staff?' If Brad Radke is pitching it should be, 'What can I do to make Brad has his best outing?' "

That said, Steinbach still expects Mauer to produce at the plate.

"If you are a catcher and have the ability to hit .300, then hit .300," Steinbach said. "I hate that and it's talked about a lot, how a catcher is not supposed to hit. Obviously the guy has a beautiful swing. I don't know where his bar is going to be. I'm assuming it is going to be very, very good. Based on what you see and the at-bats he takes. I think he's going to be fine."