M & amp;M boys are living large in Minnesota

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are key members of the Twins' offense.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Though it's not apparent by their attitude or approach to the game, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are living large right now as a small-market version of the M & amp;M boys.
Two easygoing friends, enjoying life in the big leagues -- with their smooth left-handed swings entrenched in the heart of the Minnesota Twins' lineup at a combined age of just 46. Most contending teams wouldn't rely on such youth in such critical positions, but these guys aren't ordinary players.
"I enjoy watching those two young men come up back-to-back," said manager Ron Gardenhire, who briefly considered separating Mauer and Morneau in the order to prevent the opposition from bringing in a tough left-handed reliever to face both of them in the late innings.
But they each hit lefties fairly well. Plus, Mauer is a line-drive machine who belongs in the No. 3 spot, and the natural power Morneau possesses makes him destined to bat cleanup.
"Putting someone in there between them? I don't understand why," Gardenhire said. "You're not going to pinch hit for them, no matter who they bring in."
Unfair comparisons
Given their alliterative last names and their potential for greatness, comparisons to Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris (the original M & amp;M boys, with the New York Yankees in the 1960s) have been bandied about. That's a suggestion that Mauer, the 22-year-old catcher, and Morneau, the 24-year-old first baseman, are quick to dismiss.
They're not even too keen about acknowledging how important they are to the Twins' present and future.
"If you start thinking about all that stuff," Morneau said, "it's not good for you."
Instead, their baseball thoughts are more centered on learning pitchers around the league and taking the necessary time to be consistently successful sluggers.
Strong numbers
Entering the weekend, Mauer was batting .319 with four homers and 16 RBIs in 116 at-bats -- almost identical to the numbers he put up as a rookie last year. That season was cut short by an injury to his left knee, and the strain that crouching puts on that joint caused many inside and outside the organization to wonder whether he'd be able to catch again.
But Mauer has alleviated those concerns, which makes Minnesota very happy. The 2001 first draft pick overall, who grew up in St. Paul just a few miles from the Metrodome, is just as valuable to the team with his defense and handling of the pitching staff as he is at the plate.
Morneau, like Mauer, has always had the sweet swing, but he's had to work harder in the field. Originally a catcher, Morneau also dabbled in the outfield in the minors until moving over to first.
"It was entertainment," Gardenhire said, remembering the 6-foot-4 native of British Columbia's initial struggles to get his feet and glove up to major league standards.
Hard work paid off, however, and Morneau's presence at first has helped keep the Twins' young, inexperience infield from falling apart defensively.