Understandably, the Minnesota Twins general manager came to Fenway Park yesterday for the purpose of overseeing his club's march toward the postseason. But he also realizes that within the three-game set, there is, at least in the eyes of Red Sox fans, a not-so-subtle story unfolding - the race for the American League MVP.

"This will be a big series because (Justin) Morneau is in the park, (Joe) Mauer is in the park, (David) Ortiz is in the park and (Johan) Santana is in the park," Ryan said before last night's series opener. "When you start talking about MVP, it usually has a way of separating itself."

Much has been documented in recent days about Ortiz's stake in the race. And tomorrow night's Minnesota starter, Santana, has raised a fair share of worthwhile debate. But the two players who jump out and distinguish themselves from the rest of the story lines are Morneau and Mauer.

It was Morneau, Minnesota's slugging first baseman, who stole the show in the Twins' 7-3 win last night. The 25-year-old went 5 for 5, raising his batting average to .326, while also knocking in his 124th RBI.

"If they're going to vote for (Morneau), they're going to vote for him. In Minnesota, it's been tough to get that recognition," said Twins outfielder Torii Hunter, whose teammates were buoyed by Ortiz's 0-for-4 performance. "There's been (Derek) Jeter, there's been David Ortiz, Jermaine Dye, but we wouldn't even be where we are without (Morneau) and Joe Mauer. He's my MVP. He's my teammate, and he's my MVP ... I like David, too, though."

Then there is the MVP race's wild card, Mauer.

Perhaps it was the presence last night of the catcher's idol, former Red Sox backstop Carlton Fisk, or maybe the mere fact that a 23-year-old who has been charged with running the pitching staff is leading the major leagues in hitting. But there is something that suggests that Mauer - a player who struck out just once in his entire high school career - might be the one who separates himself from the MVP pack.

"That's why he was the first pick in the country," said Ryan of his top selection in the 2001 June amateur draft. "He's always been able to hit. He's hit at every level he's ever been; it was just a matter of time before he got the comfort and maturity in the major leagues. But I think anybody who has seen Joe Mauer play has said he is going to hit."

Mauer is hitting all right, batting .343 after going 1 for 5 last night, four points better than his chief competitor for the American League batting title, New York's Derek Jeter. If he does hold on, the former Florida State football recruit will become the first AL catcher ever to win a batting title.

For any young player playing any position, the feat would be substantial. But when you consider that Mauer is leading all AL hitters while catching the league's second-best pitching staff in just his second full year in the bigs, the feat becomes noteworthy.

It harkens back to when Fisk hit a career-best .318 in 1977 (good for eighth in the AL) while playing in 152 games. Or when Ivan Rodriguez became the last catcher to win the MVP by hitting .332 with 35 home runs in 144 games in '99 for Texas.

"I've been in a lot of places where there have been a group of players, whether it be All-Star games or other functions, and everybody's out and around, and the catchers are over here just yakking and jabbering," said Fisk, in town to honor Jason Varitek breaking Fisk's record for most games caught by a Red Sox player. "It's a special position, easily the most demanding position."

"I don't think anyone can relate to playing our position every day besides people who can play it every day," Varitek said. "That fraternity, it's easy to talk about because you've been through that. You've had your fingers broken. You've had your ankles hurting. You just had to go out there and play. It's easy to relate."

Mauer may very well come away from this season without MVP honors, even though he could become only the second catcher ever to win a batting title (Ernie Lombardi was the first in 1942). Nonetheless, it's hard to not feel like the Twins star is immersing himself in at least a small measure of history.

"They take a beating," Ryan, the Twins GM, said. "You have foul tips on the shoulders, the knees, and everything else. And there's the responsibility of running a staff.

"You ask Joe, he rather not get out from behind there at all. He would just assume never have a day off. He may win a batting title, but I don't think he knows where he is at unless somebody brings it up."

MVP Candidates at Fenway

PLAYER%STATISTICS%COMMENT

David Ortiz%.283, 49 HRs, 129 RBI%One homer away from team's all-time mark set by Jimmie Foxx

Justin Morneau%.326, 33 HRs, 124 RBIs% Has been offensive catalyst for hottest team in the AL

Joe Mauer%343, 11 HRs, 79 RBIs%Caught the second-best pitching staff in AL while leading the majors in hitting

Johan Santana%18-5, 2.77 ERA, 237 Ks%Leads virtually every important pitching statistic in the bigs