Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
On Monday night, on the eve of the World Series, Torii Hunter has decided to hang up his cleats and retire from the game.
“I’ve been married to the game 23 years,” Hunter tells the Minnesota Star Tribune. “I put it almost No. 1 in my life. My family kind of second. I made sacrifices for my family. And now it is time to give them more time.”
Hunter started his pro career in 1993, when he was signed by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (20th overall) of the amateur draft.
He made his MLB debut in 1997 as a pinch runner and in 1999 he joined the Twins for good and never looked back.
Hunter played 19 seasons between the Twins, Angels, Tigers, playing in five all-star games, while amassing nine Gold Glove awards. He had his best season in the game in 2007, when he batted .287, with 45 doubles, 28 home runs, and drove in 107 RBIs.
The Twins signed Hunter to a one year contract so he could return to the organization that drafted him for one last season. In 567 at bats during 2015, he batted .240, with 22 home runs and 81 RBI’s.
And at the end the classy Hunter thanked those that gave back to him.
“I thank the Angels for adopting me and making me part of the Angels family, all the teammates I had over there. The Angels fans, love them. There’s the Tigers organization, Mr. [Mike] Ilitch and their fans.”
“But most of all, the Minnesota Twins fans and organization. The Polhads, Terry Ryan, the coaching staff. Ron Gardenhire, Tom Kelly. I thank those guys for showing me how to take responsibility, how to carry yourself. The Twins fans, you can’t beat them. That’s my family. The city is my love.”
Thank you for the memories Torii, you were a thrill to watch play this amazing game.
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