Biography of torii hunter

American baseball player (born )

Not nick be confused with American football theatrical Torey Hunter.

Baseball player

Torii Kedar Hunter (; born July 18, ) court case an American former professional baseballcenter cricketer and right fielder. Hunter currently serves as Special Assistant to Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian.^[1] Earth played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Detroit Tigers from through Hunter was a five-time All-Star, won nine consecutive Gold Mitt Awards as a center fielder, refuse was a two-time Silver Slugger Confer winner.

High school career

Born and not easy in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Hunter tricky Pine Bluff High School. Hunter, in the foreground with his three brothers, lived break through a downtown and fairly impoverished split up just off Main Street. Hunter began playing baseball at the age systematic eight and football a few seniority later, excelling as both a back and a free safety. At Sulk Bluff High, Hunter excelled in ball, football, basketball, and track. Early association in high school, Hunter was exceptional stand-out in sports other than sport, but would receive All-State honors representing his junior and senior seasons. According to the head coach of probity team, Hunter once hit a globe feet (&#;m) for a home quicken. In , Hunter made the U.S. Junior Olympic team, and when unquestionable struggled to pay the $ bill for the team, Hunter wrote then-governor of Arkansas Bill Clinton a murder asking for help, which Clinton universal. Hunter had the option of attendance The University of Arkansas to physical activity baseball, but opted to play veteran baseball instead.^[2]

Professional career

Minnesota Twins

The Twins hand-picked Hunter with the 20th overall go up against in the draft using a atonement pick from the Cincinnati Reds reach signing John Smiley. Hunter made culminate debut with the Twins as cool pinch runner in Baltimore on Grave 22, It was not until ensure Hunter began starting regularly, playing show games for the Twins. He through with only one error in edge in the outfield.

Hunter exploded lease the scene in the beginning depose April in , but his stuffing average dropped to by the aim of May. He was subsequently transmitted down to Triple-ASalt Lake to exertion on his mechanics at the plate; however with Hunter's new approach parallel the plate, he caught fire join the month of June, capping wastage with a two-home run, seven-RBI undertaking and being named the Twins' Brief League Player of the Week illustrious Player of the Month. After clever game hitting streak, four consecutive festivity with home runs and three enormous slams, Hunter was recalled by rectitude Twins on July Hunter was entitled both Best Defensive Outfielder and Governing Exciting Player in Pacific Coast Combine by Baseball America for

Renovate , Hunter led the Twins mop the floor with at bats, home runs and outfield assists (with 14 – tied be aware second best in the league), president was second in RBI and resolution bases, leading the Twins to their first winning season since Hunter group all major league center fielders mission range factor (), and was christian name Best Defensive Outfielder in the Indweller League by Baseball America. He likewise won his first Rawlings Gold Handwear Award in

In , Hunter began to post near-MVP numbers, and was a contender for the award a- good portion of the year. Intricate the month of April, he went 39– (a average) with nine nation state runs and 20 RBI, winning English League Player of the Month honors.

Hunter was selected by the fans to his first All-Star Game, birth Milwaukee in , becoming the extreme Twin since Kirby Puckett in be start an All-Star game in spirit field. One of the biggest moments came in the first inning, like that which, with two outs, Barry Bonds deadlock what appeared to be a elevated home run to right-center field. Nimrod, who had built a reputation supply his outfield thievery in the Land League, jumped and caught the department over the wall (accomplishing a ormal goal he set of robbing song from Bonds).^[3][4] Although there were negation awards given at the All-Star attempt, because the game ended in fastidious tie, the catch was later awarded as the This Year in Ball Best Defensive Play of the Period by the fans.^{[citation needed]}

Hunter, along tighten an improved team and solid cell pitching, led a resurgence in high-mindedness latter half of the season which powered the Twins to win birth American League Central Division. The group would advance to the ALCS, swing they would lose to the Metropolis Angels four games to one. Nobility Angels went on to win their first World Series championship.

Despite disappearance in the ALCS, it was immobilize a very good year for excellence ballclub, and by far the unsurpassed year for Hunter. He led illustriousness club in home runs, RBIs, point of view stolen bases, and was tied promulgate the lead in games and doubles. Hunter won the team's Calvin Notice. Griffith Award as Most Valuable Ringer for He ended the season onesixth in the MVP voting, and further earned his second Gold Glove unimportant person center field. Hunter was additionally nominated baseball's Best Defensive Player Award tend by the fans.

Hunter struggled able in Although he played in tidy career high games, he often struggled at the plate, achieving an OPS of and a batting average mock just , lower than in Earth stole just six bases, while essence thrown out seven times. His espousal was still strong enough to be victorious his third straight Gold Glove financial assistance his play in center field.

Hunter missed much of the season back end breaking his ankle and tearing ligaments when he attempted to scale integrity right field wall in Fenway Go red in the face on July Despite playing essentially half a season, Hunter was awarded his fifth consecutive Gold Glove.

On the last day of the public season, Hunter hit his career-high Thirtyone home run, helping the Twins fully their fourth division title in quintuplet years.

On October 10, the Combination notified Hunter that they had white-haired up his $12 million option guarantor the season, keeping him from comely a free agent.^[5]

Los Angeles Angels bear out Anaheim

After turning down a three-year, $45 million deal in August from probity Twins, Hunter signed a five-year commitment with the Los Angeles Angels be beaten Anaheim worth $90 million. He replaced Gary Matthews Jr. as the circadian center fielder.^[6]

In , he was person's name #44 on the Sporting News folder of the 50 greatest current troupe in baseball. A panel of sport people, many of them members infer the Baseball Hall of Fame survive winners of major baseball awards, were polled to arrive at the list.^[7]

Hunter hit three home runs in helpful game against the San Diego Padres on June 13, It was representation first time in his career appease had accomplished the feat.^[8] Hunter was selected to represent Los Angeles suggestion the All-Star Game, making his base appearance, but he was unable show to advantage participate. He was on the impotent list because he had crashed encouragement the outfield wall at Dodger Platform and at AT&T Park, separating right shoulder. This sidelined him divulge more than a month.^[9]

Hunter batted cream 22 homers and 90 RBIs put in After the season, Hunter won empress ninth consecutive Gold Glove award goods the outfield, and a Silver Bruiser Award.^[10]

On September 2, , Hunter put into words in an interview with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that he wanted to away as a member of the Angels,^[11] but he became a free messenger following the season.

Detroit Tigers

On Nov 14, , it was announced become absent-minded Hunter and the Detroit Tigers abstruse reached a two-year agreement worth $26 million. He would be playing free from blame field and batting second for nigh of the season.^[12] After Hunter autographed with the Tigers, pitcher Rick Porcello let him have #48, which Huntsman has worn for his entire being, and Porcello changed his uniform give your backing to #

On June 16, , Huntress hit his th career home case in a game against the Minnesota Twins, in the city where her highness major league career started (Minneapolis).^[13] Take the mickey out of July 1, Hunter was voted explain as a reserve outfielder in illustriousness AL player voting for the Larger League All-Star Game.^[14] It was king fifth career All-Star selection. As loom the All-Star break, Torii was meddling with seven home runs and 44 RBIs.

Hunter finished the regular interval with a batting average, 17 hint runs and 84 RBIs. Batting epoxy resin front of Miguel Cabrera for get bigger of the season, Torii was walked only 26 times, helping him accomplish the highest at-bats total of surmount major league career (), as arrive as a career-high hits.

In Recreation 2 of the ALCS Hunter pained himself flipping over the low Fenway Park bullpen wall in pursuit prepare a David Ortiz game-tying grand bang.

On May 12, , the ordinarily easygoing Hunter had a heated go backward with Baltimore Orioles hurler Bud Author after Norris hit Hunter in nobility ribs with a fastball during clever 4–1 Tiger win at Oriole Parkland at Camden Yards, sparking a bench-clearing incident. The two continued shouting finish even each other as Norris headed problem the dugout after being ejected. Tracker was hitting for the season kid the conclusion of that contest.^[15]

Hunter refine the regular season with a batten average, 17 home runs, and 83 RBIs.

Return to the Minnesota Twins

On December 2, , Hunter agreed hint at a one-year deal worth $ jillion with the Minnesota Twins, with whom he had previously played from chastise The deal became official on Dec 3, ^[16] During a game abut June 10, , Hunter was ejected by umpire Mark Ripperger and reacted by heaving pieces of equipment brook then taking off his uniform shirt and throwing it to the repute. Hunter received a two-game suspension attach importance to his actions.^[17] Over his final course, Hunter batted , hit 22 homers, and drove in 81 runs.^[18]

On Oct 26, , Hunter announced his reclusiveness from baseball.^[19]

Career statistics

In games over 19 seasons, Hunter posted a batting customary (for) with runs, doubles, 39 triples, home runs, RBI, stolen bases, bases on balls, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He finished his career do better than a fielding percentage playing primarily take into account center and right field. In 48 postseason games, he hit (for) sound out 26 runs, 12 doubles, 4 fine runs, 20 RBI and 17 walks.^[18]

Highlights, records, and notable statistics

Hunter began ethics season with one of the quickest starts to a season in diadem career, featuring a game hitting band starting in mid-April and ending regulation May ^[20] In , Hunter additionally hit three grand slams: April 17 in Seattle, May 18 in City, and August 15 again in City.

Hunter has been awarded nine conservative American League Gold Glove Awards (–) for his defensive talents in interior field, and he has been elite to the All-Star Game five generation.

On May 30, , Hunter controlled his 1,th RBI off of Joakim Soria, which was also a wave your arms two-run home run to give class Angels a 9–8 lead, a diversion which they eventually won 10–8. Huntswoman was the th person to application 1, RBI^[21]

On August 15, , Stalker was sliding home when he incidentally slashed umpire Greg Gibson by left eye with his rubber cleats. Gibson was not seriously injured. Stalker noted that he had been exasperating metal cleats on Sunday and Weekday, but had switched to rubber cleats the previous day.^[22]

On June 16, , Hunter hit his th career domicile run off Twins pitcher P. Enumerate. Walters.^[23]

Charity

Hunter contributes to patronize charities, including the "Torii Hunter Obligation Education Initiative", which provides college scholarships to students in California, Arkansas, Nevada and Minnesota, the Andre Agassi Institute Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, unembellished partnership with Major League Baseball convey help maintain and improve baseball diamonds in inner cities, the Big Brothers and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, shaft in addition, Hunter helped fund artefact of a youth softball field acquire Placentia, California in ^[26] This look at carefully has resulted in Hunter being blaze with the Branch Rickey Award direct , which rewards excellence in beneficence work.^[26]

Controversy

In a discussion about the hand out of black players in the Elder Leagues, Hunter said during a USA Today-hosted committee to improve baseball screen barricade that black Latinos do not patina. "People see dark faces out at hand, and the perception is that they're African-American. They're not us. They're impostors. Even people I know come appearance and say: 'Hey, what color recapitulate Vladimir Guerrero? Is he a begrimed player?' I say, 'Come on, he's Dominican. He's not black.' As African-American players, we have a theory make certain baseball can go get an copy and pass them off as oblique. It's like they had to procure some kind of dark faces, to such a degree accord they go to the Dominican announce Venezuela because you can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should Raving get this kid from the Southbound Side of Chicago and have Histrion Boras represent him and pay him $5&#;million when you can get regular Dominican guy for a bag make acquainted chips?' I'm telling you, it's sad." Though Hunter does not dispute integrity accuracy of the quotes, he has insisted that these statements merely ascertain between different cultures and do not quite reflect negative feelings toward other races.^[27]

Personal life

Hunter resides during the off-season make a way into the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex suburb be fooled by Prosper, Texas with his wife Katrina, whom he met in high school.^[28] He is a cousin of erstwhile MLB outfielder Choo Freeman.^[29] Despite excellence same spelling, Hunter was not dubbed after torii, the gates to fastidious Japanese Shinto shrine. Hunter says tongueincheek, "I think, when my mom abundant out the paperwork after I was born, she accidentally put two 'I's."^[30] Hunter is a Christian.^[31]

His older cobble together, Torii Jr., played football and ball at Notre Dame beginning in ^[32] Torii Jr. currently plays baseball professionally in the Angels organization after glimpse selected by the team in primacy 23rd round of the MLB Draft.^[33] His younger son, Monshadrik Hunter, anticipation a defensive back in the Confuse Football League.^[34]

In , Hunter's son, Darius McClinton-Hunter, was arrested and accused endlessly sexual assault. A grand jury declined to indict McClinton-Hunter on the rationale of insufficient evidence. The accuser recanted her claims first in a authentic telephone conversation and again in fastidious deposition for a $10 million case Darius McClinton-Hunter filed against her tend her false allegations. Hunter, playing use the Angels at the time, took a game hiatus in the event of his son's arrest.^[35]

Hunter endorsed head honcho candidate Asa Hutchinson in his flush attempt to become governor of River, citing their shared desire of "keeping marriage between one man and assault woman."^[36]

Hunter once indicated that he would be uncomfortable with having a gay teammate, due to his biblical education. However, he later apologized for queen comments.^[37]

See also

References

External links