MINNEAPOLIS -- Joe Mauer played the role of hero for the Twins on Tuesday and crushed the fifth grand slam of his career to lead Minnesota to a 10-5 win over the Yankees.
On Wednesday, the six-time All-Star and 2009 American League MVP told the Star Tribune's La Velle E. Neal that he is considering retiring after the season, but that he is going to take his time while deciding.
After Wednesday's 3-1 Twins win over the Yankees, Mauer further discussed his looming decision.
"I'm just planning on trying to win tomorrow night," Mauer said. "Try to enjoy the last couple of weeks of the season and just take a deep breath and go from there. I want to enjoy coming every day and competing, and taking time once the season ends and kind of go over the year like I normally would and go from there."
In his 15th career season, Mauer is slashing .274/.345/.375 with six home runs and 43 RBIs in 112 games.
In late May, he dove for a ball during a game vs. the Angels in Los Angeles and hit the back of his head. He suffered a cervical neck strain and began experiencing concussion-like symptoms.
"It's tough. It's a tough decision," Mauer said. "There are a lot of factors that will go into it. Right now is probably not the right time to decide either way. I want to make sure I'm 100 percent confident and be 100 percent behind it."
That incident left him sidelined for 25 games and the Twins handled the situation with care; Mauer suffered concussions earlier in his career that forced him to give up catching duties and become a full-time first baseman.
He acknowledged that there wasn't one incident during this season that caused him to start contemplating retirement.
"I don't know. I can't really pin down a certain point," Mauer said. "It's that time of the year where you get questions. We'll go from there."