Torii Hunter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Torii Hunter
Hunter with the Minnesota Twins in 2006
Outfielder
Born: (1975-07-18) July 18, 1975 (age 49) Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
August 22, 1997, for the Minnesota Twins
Last appearance
October 3, 2015, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
Batting average	.277
Hits	2,452
Home runs	353
Runs batted in	1,391
Teams
Minnesota Twins (1997–2007) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2008–2012) Detroit Tigers (2013–2014) Minnesota Twins (2015)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (2002, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013) 9× Gold Glove Award (2001–2009) 2× Silver Slugger Award (2009, 2013) Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame

Torii Kedar Hunter (born July 18, 1975) is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a center fielder and right fielder. Torii played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 19 years.

He played for the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Detroit Tigers. Torii was a five-time All-Star. He also won nine Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. Today, he helps the Los Angeles Angels as a special assistant.

Early Life and High School Baseball

Torii Hunter grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He lived in a downtown neighborhood with his three brothers. Torii started playing baseball when he was eight.

A few years later, he also started playing football. He was great at both sports. At Pine Bluff High School, Torii was good at baseball, football, basketball, and track.

He earned All-State honors in baseball during his junior and senior years. His coach said Torii once hit a home run an amazing 550 feet! In 1992, Torii made the U.S. Junior Olympic team. He needed $500 for the team. Torii wrote a letter to Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton asking for help. Clinton agreed to help him. Torii could have played baseball at The University of Arkansas. But he chose to play professional baseball instead.

Playing Professional Baseball

Joining the Minnesota Twins

The Twins picked Torii as the 20th player in the 1993 draft. He made his first MLB appearance on August 22, 1997. He played as a pinch runner for the Twins in Baltimore.

Torii started playing regularly in 1999. He played in 135 games for the Twins. He made only one error in 292 chances in the outfield.

In 2000, Torii started the season strong. But his batting average dropped by May. He was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake to improve his hitting. Torii then played very well in June. He hit two home runs and had seven RBI in one game. He was named the Twins' Minor League Player of the Week and Player of the Month.

After a 16-game hitting streak, Torii returned to the Twins. He was named Best Defensive Outfielder and Most Exciting Player in the Pacific Coast League.

2001 Minnesota Twins #48 Torii Hunter road jersey

In 2001, Torii led the Twins in at bats and home runs. He also had 14 outfield assists. This helped the Twins have their first winning season since 1992. Torii won his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2001. He was named Best Defensive Outfielder in the American League.

In 2002, Torii played like an MVP. In April, he hit .371 with nine home runs and 20 RBI. He won the American League Player of the Month award.

Fans chose Torii for his first All-Star Game in 2002. He was the first Twin since Kirby Puckett to start an All-Star game in center field. In the first inning, he made an amazing catch. He jumped and caught a ball hit by Barry Bonds over the wall. Fans later voted this the Best Defensive Play of the Year.

Torii and his improved team won the American League Central Division. They reached the ALCS. They lost to the Anaheim Angels. The Angels then won their first World Series.

Even though they lost, it was a great year for Torii. He led the team in home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases. He won the Most Valuable Twin award for 2002. He finished sixth in the MVP voting. He also won his second Gold Glove. Fans also voted him baseball's Best Defensive Player for 2002.

In 2003, Torii played in 154 games. But he struggled with his hitting. His batting average was .250. He stole only six bases. However, his defense was still strong. He won his third straight Gold Glove award.

Torii missed much of the 2005 season. He broke his ankle trying to climb a wall in Fenway Park. Even though he played only half a season, he won his fifth Gold Glove.

In 2006, Torii hit his career-high 31st home run. This helped the Twins win their fourth division title in five years. The Twins kept Torii for the 2007 season.

Playing for the Los Angeles Angels

Hunter on second base for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2008

In 2007, Torii turned down a contract from the Twins. He then signed a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The contract was worth $90 million. He became their everyday center fielder.

In 2009, Sporting News named him #44 on their list of the 50 greatest current players. A group of 100 baseball experts made this list.

On June 13, 2009, Torii hit three home runs in one game. This was his first time doing that. He was chosen for the 2009 All-Star Game. But he could not play. He hurt his shoulder crashing into an outfield wall. This kept him out of the game for over a month.

In 2009, Torii batted .299. He hit 22 home runs and had 90 RBIs. After the season, he won his ninth Gold Glove award. He also won a Silver Slugger Award.

In 2011, Torii said he wanted to retire as an Angel. But he became a free agent after the 2012 season.

Time with the Detroit Tigers

Hunter with the Detroit Tigers in 2013

On November 14, 2012, Torii signed a two-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. The deal was worth $26 million. He played right field and usually batted second. Pitcher Rick Porcello let Torii have his jersey number, #48. Torii had worn #48 his whole career.

On June 16, 2013, Torii hit his 300th career home run. This happened in Minneapolis, where his career began. On July 1, he was voted a reserve outfielder for the 2013 All-Star Game. This was his fifth All-Star selection. At the All-Star break, Torii was hitting .315.

Torii finished the 2013 season with a .304 batting average. He hit 17 home runs and had 84 RBIs. He had a career-high 184 hits.

In Game 2 of the ALCS, Torii got hurt. He flipped over a low wall trying to catch a ball.

Umpire Paul Nauert with Hunter following an incident in Baltimore on May 12, 2014.

On May 12, 2014, Torii had a heated moment with Baltimore Orioles pitcher Bud Norris. Norris hit Torii with a fastball. This caused a brief argument between the teams. Torii finished the 2014 season with a .286 batting average. He hit 17 home runs and had 83 RBIs.

Back with the Minnesota Twins

On December 2, 2014, Torii agreed to a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. He had played for them from 1997 to 2007. The deal was for $10.5 million.

On June 10, 2015, Torii was ejected from a game. He threw his equipment and uniform shirt. He received a two-game suspension for his actions. In his final season, Torii batted .240. He hit 22 home runs and had 81 RBIs.

On October 26, 2015, Torii announced he was retiring from baseball.

Career Highlights and Numbers

Torii Hunter played 2372 games over 19 seasons. He had a .277 batting average. He collected 2452 hits, 353 home runs, and 1391 RBI. He also had 195 stolen bases.

He finished his career with a .990 fielding percentage. He mostly played center and right field. In 48 postseason games, he hit .274.

Amazing Achievements and Records

Torii started the 2007 season very well. He had a 23-game hitting streak. In 2007, he also hit three grand slams.

Torii won nine straight American League Gold Glove Awards. These were for his great defense in center field (2001–2009). He was also chosen for the All-Star Game five times.

On May 30, 2011, Torii got his 1,000th RBI. It was a two-run home run that helped the Angels win. Torii was the 268th player to reach 1,000 RBI.

On August 15, 2012, Torii accidentally cut umpire Greg Gibson near his eye. This happened while Torii was sliding home. Gibson was not seriously hurt.

On June 16, 2013, Torii hit his 300th career home run. He hit it off Twins pitcher P. J. Walters.

Giving Back: Torii's Charity Work

Hunter prior to an Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball game against Michigan in Bud Walton Arena

Torii Hunter supports many charities. His "Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative" gives college scholarships. These scholarships help students in California, Arkansas, Nevada, and Minnesota.

He also works with Major League Baseball. They help improve baseball fields in cities. Torii supports Big Brothers and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. In 2008, he helped fund a youth softball field in Placentia, California. Because of his charity work, Torii received the Branch Rickey Award in 2009.

Torii's Life Off the Field

Torii Hunter lives in Prosper, Texas during the off-season. He lives there with his wife, Katrina. They met in high school. He is a cousin of former MLB outfielder Choo Freeman.

Torii was not named after the Japanese torii gates. He jokes that his mom accidentally put two "I"s when she filled out his birth paperwork. Torii is a Christian.

His older son, Torii Jr., played football and baseball at Notre Dame. Torii Jr. now plays professional baseball for the Angels. His younger son, Monshadrik Hunter, plays football in the Canadian Football League.

Images for kids

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  Umpire Paul Nauert with Hunter following an altercation in Baltimore on May 12, 2014.

See also