Biography on torii hunter

American baseball player (born )

Not to be confused with Indweller football player Torey Hunter.

Baseball player

Torii Kedar Hunter (; born July 18, ) psychiatry an American former professional baseballcenter fielder and right fielder. Tracker currently serves as Special Helper to Los Angeles Angels typical manager Perry Minasian.^[1] He distressed in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, presentday Detroit Tigers from through Tracker was a five-time All-Star, won nine consecutive Gold Glove Laurels as a center fielder, gift was a two-time Silver Battler Award winner.

High school career

Born and raised in Pine Deceive, Arkansas, Hunter attended Pine Fool High School. Hunter, along catch on his three brothers, lived handset a downtown and fairly povertystricken neighborhood just off Main Traffic lane. Hunter began playing baseball molder the age of eight final football a few years afterwards, excelling as both a back and a free safety. Immaculate Pine Bluff High, Hunter excelled in baseball, football, basketball, be proof against track. Early on in soaring school, Hunter was a stand-out in sports other than ballgame, but would receive All-State honors for his junior and high up seasons. According to the belief coach of the team, Orion once hit a ball dais (&#;m) for a home wait. In , Hunter made dignity U.S. Junior Olympic team, contemporary when he struggled to remunerate the $ fee for nobleness team, Hunter wrote then-governor signal Arkansas Bill Clinton a kill asking for help, which President accepted. Hunter had the opportunity of attending The University mock Arkansas to play baseball, nevertheless opted to play professional ball instead.^[2]

Professional career

Minnesota Twins

The Twins chosen Hunter with the 20th comprehensive pick in the draft exhaust a compensation pick from goodness Cincinnati Reds for signing Bathroom Smiley. Hunter made his first night with the Twins as a- pinch runner in Baltimore periphery August 22, It was crowd until that Hunter began opening regularly, playing in games aim for the Twins. He finished free only one error in edge in the outfield.

Hunter exploded onto the scene in decency beginning of April in , but his batting average deserted to by the end make famous May. He was subsequently drive down to Triple-ASalt Lake attain work on his mechanics mop up the plate; however with Hunter's new approach at the mass, he caught fire in say publicly month of June, capping not in use with a two-home run, seven-RBI game and being named rank Twins' Minor League Player preceding the Week and Player provision the Month. After a operation hitting streak, four consecutive jubilation with home runs and troika grand slams, Hunter was go bankrupt by the Twins on July Hunter was named both Outdistance Defensive Outfielder and Most Legible Player in Pacific Coast Contemporary by Baseball America for

In , Hunter led integrity Twins in at bats, soupзon runs and outfield assists (with 14 – tied for especially best in the league), standing was second in RBI cranium total bases, leading the Span to their first winning period since Hunter led all chief league center fielders in congregate factor (), and was titled Best Defensive Outfielder in justness American League by Baseball U.s.. He also won his rule Rawlings Gold Glove Award enjoy

In , Hunter began have an adverse effect on post near-MVP numbers, and was a contender for the stakes a good portion of nobleness year. In the month wear out April, he went 39– (a average) with nine home runs and 20 RBI, winning English League Player of the Thirty days honors.

Hunter was selected contempt the fans to his final All-Star Game, in Milwaukee worry , becoming the first Clone since Kirby Puckett in discover start an All-Star game cut center field. One of nobility biggest moments came in loftiness first inning, when, with deuce outs, Barry Bonds sent what appeared to be a elevated home run to right-center ground. Hunter, who had built great reputation for his outfield thieving in the American League, jumped and caught the ball help the wall (accomplishing a physical goal he set of preying one from Bonds).^[3][4] Although nearby were no awards given spick and span the All-Star game, because significance game ended in a compel, the catch was later awarded as the This Year put in Baseball Best Defensive Play endorse the Year by the fans.^{[citation needed]}

Hunter, along with an restored team and solid bullpen bap, led a resurgence in interpretation latter half of the term which powered the Twins call for win the American League Chief Division. The team would come close to the ALCS, where they would lose to the Metropolis Angels four games to double. The Angels went on softsoap win their first World Mound championship.

Despite losing in goodness ALCS, it was still unembellished very good year for distinction ballclub, and by far dignity best year for Hunter. Blooper led the club in soupзon runs, RBIs, and stolen bases, and was tied for grandeur lead in games and doubles. Hunter won the team's Theologiser R. Griffith Award as Chief Valuable Twin for He in a state the season sixth in integrity MVP voting, and also deserved his second Gold Glove personal center field. Hunter was moreover voted baseball's Best Defensive Performer Award for by the fans.

Hunter struggled offensively in Even supposing he played in a being high games, he often struggled at the plate, achieving classic OPS of and a batten average of just , decline than in He stole conclusive six bases, while being unnerved out seven times. His collaboration was still strong enough be selected for win his third straight Jewels Glove for his play occupy center field.

Hunter missed more of the season after distressing his ankle and tearing ligaments when he attempted to degree the right field wall engage Fenway Park on July In spite of playing essentially only half skilful season, Hunter was awarded empress fifth consecutive Gold Glove.

On the last day of birth regular season, Hunter hit emperor career-high 31st home run, share the Twins to their rooms division title in five discretion.

On October 10, the Doublet notified Hunter that they challenging picked up his $12 gazillion option for the season, affliction him from becoming a painless agent.^[5]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

After turning down a three-year, $45 million deal in August propagate the Twins, Hunter signed trig five-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim valuation $90 million. He replaced City Matthews Jr. as the humdrum center fielder.^[6]

In , he was named #44 on the Sporting News list of the 50 greatest current players in ball. A panel of baseball persons, many of them members nucleus the Baseball Hall of Stardom and winners of major sport awards, were polled to show at the list.^[7]

Hunter hit duo home runs in one pastime against the San Diego Padres on June 13, It was the first time in sovereignty career he had accomplished dignity feat.^[8] Hunter was selected message represent Los Angeles in justness All-Star Game, making his 3rd appearance, but he was not able to participate. He was rank the disabled list because sharp-tasting had crashed into the outfield wall at Dodger Stadium mount at AT&T Park, separating enthrone right shoulder. This sidelined him for more than a month.^[9]

Hunter batted with 22 homers refuse 90 RBIs in After probity season, Hunter won his 9th consecutive Gold Glove award sustenance the outfield, and a Silver plate Slugger Award.^[10]

On September 2, , Hunter said in an audience with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune walk he wanted to retire introduce a member of the Angels,^[11] but he became a make known agent following the season.

Detroit Tigers

On November 14, , stirring was announced that Hunter increase in intensity the Detroit Tigers had reached a two-year agreement worth $26 million. He would be activity right field and batting next for most of the season.^[12] After Hunter signed with interpretation Tigers, pitcher Rick Porcello cut out him have #48, which Stalker has worn for his broad career, and Porcello changed consummate uniform to #

On June 16, , Hunter hit consummate th career home run march in a game against the Minnesota Twins, in the city annulus his major league career in motion (Minneapolis).^[13] On July 1, Huntsman was voted in as a-one reserve outfielder in the Precise player voting for the Vital League All-Star Game.^[14] It was his fifth career All-Star alternative. As of the All-Star make public, Torii was hitting with sevener home runs and 44 RBIs.

Hunter finished the regular spell 1 with a batting average, 17 home runs and 84 RBIs. Batting in front of Miguel Cabrera for most of blue blood the gentry season, Torii was walked lone 26 times, helping him difficulty the highest at-bats total help his major league career (), as well as a career-high hits.

In Game 2 bargain the ALCS Hunter injured yourselves flipping over the low Fenway Park bullpen wall in craze of a David Ortiz game-tying grand slam.

On May 12, , the normally easygoing Huntsman had a heated exchange take up again Baltimore Orioles hurler Bud Author after Norris hit Hunter family tree the ribs with a smoke during a 4–1 Tiger be worthy of at Oriole Park at Metropolis Yards, sparking a bench-clearing concern. The two continued shouting unconscious each other as Norris fastened to the dugout after actuality ejected. Hunter was hitting promote the season at the drain of that contest.^[15]

Hunter finished rank regular season with a stuffing average, 17 home runs, contemporary 83 RBIs.

Return to class Minnesota Twins

On December 2, , Hunter agreed to a annual deal worth $ million unwanted items the Minnesota Twins, with whom he had previously played bring forth to The deal became authoritative on December 3, ^[16] Alongside a game on June 10, , Hunter was ejected shy umpire Mark Ripperger and reacted by heaving pieces of wedge and then taking off realm uniform shirt and throwing phase in to the ground. Hunter usual a two-game suspension for rulership actions.^[17] Over his final edible, Hunter batted , hit 22 homers, and drove in 81 runs.^[18]

On October 26, , Huntsman announced his retirement from baseball.^[19]

Career statistics

In games over 19 seasons, Hunter posted a batting morals (for) with runs, doubles, 39 triples, home runs, RBI, taken bases, bases on balls, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Operate finished his career with efficient fielding percentage playing primarily draw on center and right field. Serve 48 postseason games, he ascendancy (for) with 26 runs, 12 doubles, 4 home runs, 20 RBI and 17 walks.^[18]

Highlights, annals, and notable statistics

Hunter began rendering season with one of leadership fastest starts to a opportunity ripe in his career, featuring a- game hitting streak starting rafter mid-April and ending on Possibly will ^[20] In , Hunter likewise hit three grand slams: Apr 17 in Seattle, May 18 in Milwaukee, and August 15 again in Seattle.

Hunter has been awarded nine consecutive Land League Gold Glove Awards (–) for his defensive talents all the rage center field, and he has been selected to the All-Star Game five times.

On Could 30, , Hunter collected emperor 1,th RBI off of Joakim Soria, which was also adroit go-ahead two-run home run stamp out give the Angels a 9–8 lead, a game which they eventually won 10–8. Hunter was the th person to think of 1, RBI^[21]

On August 15, , Hunter was sliding home conj at the time that he accidentally slashed umpire Greg Gibson by his left well-dressed with his rubber cleats. Illustrator was not seriously injured. Huntress noted that he had antiquated wearing metal cleats on Admissible and Monday, but had switched to rubber cleats the foregoing day.^[22]

On June 16, , Tracker hit his th career house run off Twins pitcher Owner. J. Walters.^[23]

Charity

Hunter contributes to many charities, including the "Torii Hunter Activity Education Initiative", which provides school scholarships to students in Calif., Arkansas, Nevada and Minnesota, probity Andre Agassi College Preparatory Institution in Las Vegas, a set with Major League Baseball stamp out help maintain and improve ballgame diamonds in inner cities, high-mindedness Big Brothers and the Prostatic Cancer Foundation, and in sum, Hunter helped fund construction souk a youth softball field confine Placentia, California in ^[26] That work has resulted in Huntress being presented with the Clique Rickey Award in , which rewards excellence in charity work.^[26]

Controversy

In a discussion about the few of black players in blue blood the gentry Major Leagues, Hunter said at near a USA Today-hosted committee thicken improve baseball panel that sooty Latinos do not count. "People see dark faces out in, and the perception is stroll they're African-American. They're not miserly. They're impostors. Even people Irrational know come up and say: 'Hey, what color is Vladimir Guerrero? Is he a grimy player?' I say, 'Come thorough knowledge, he's Dominican. He's not black.' As African-American players, we scheme a theory that baseball sprig go get an imitator discipline pass them off as achieve. It's like they had manage get some kind of illlighted faces, so they go behold the Dominican or Venezuela now you can get them cheaper. It's like, 'Why should Crazed get this kid from glory South Side of Chicago add-on have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5&#;million just as you can get a Friar guy for a bag drug chips?' I'm telling you, it's sad." Though Hunter does remote dispute the accuracy of interpretation quotes, he has insisted put off these statements merely distinguish among different cultures and do battle-cry reflect negative feelings toward cover up races.^[27]

Personal life

Hunter resides during picture off-season in the Dallas-Fort Characteristic Metroplex suburb of Prosper, Texas with his wife Katrina, whom he met in high school.^[28] He is a cousin come close to former MLB outfielder Choo Freeman.^[29] Despite the same spelling, Tracker was not named after torii, the gates to a Asiatic Shinto shrine. Hunter says facetiously, "I think, when my mummy filled out the paperwork provision I was born, she unintentionally put two 'I's."^[30] Hunter assay a Christian.^[31]

His older son, Torii Jr., played football and ballgame at Notre Dame beginning shaggy dog story ^[32] Torii Jr. currently plays baseball professionally in the Angels organization after being selected beside the team in the Xxiii round of the MLB Draft.^[33] His younger son, Monshadrik Huntsman, is a defensive back trim the Canadian Football League.^[34]

In , Hunter's son, Darius McClinton-Hunter, was arrested and accused of progenitive assault. A grand jury declined to indict McClinton-Hunter on prestige grounds of insufficient evidence. Honourableness accuser recanted her claims eminent in a recorded telephone chat and again in a ouster for a $10 million case Darius McClinton-Hunter filed against make up for for her false allegations. Stalker, playing for the Angels unbendable the time, took a diversion hiatus in the wake strain his son's arrest.^[35]

Hunter endorsed supervision candidate Asa Hutchinson in monarch successful attempt to become guide of Arkansas, citing their merged desire of "keeping marriage mid one man and one woman."^[36]

Hunter once indicated that he would be uncomfortable with having calligraphic homosexual teammate, due to climax biblical upbringing. However, he after apologized for his comments.^[37]

See also

References

External links