Torii Hunter: "I Ain't Going Back to the Twins"

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 11:03 AM EDT in Quick Hits

Halos Heaven is the place to go for all things Angels. It's a fantastic site, and I don't say that just because they're a part of the SB Nation family - they're an active and passionate community. Recently, they got a shoutout from former Twin Torii Hunter. You can check out the original post here, which caught my eye as Torii made his choice as to which team he'd go into the Hall of Fame with...were he to make it.

Torii has always been a favorite of mine, and for good reason. He was a centerpiece of the team as they became competitive again, and he was the one piece that remained as his contemporaries either left the team or left the game. The guy is going to finish his career (barring something unforeseen) with more than 300 career homers. That's a rare feat, and it's something the Twins haven't seen one of their own do since Harmon Killebrew. I know Torii will reach 300 with the Angels (probably), but even Kent Hrbek didn't hit 300. Justin Morneau could do it, but he has to stay healthy and is currently stuck at 185.

Back to the subject at hand, in the video clip below Torii is his typical gregarious, happy-go-lucky self. He's always been that way with the media, even those times where he said something that didn't quite resonate with certain sectors of the Minnesota fanbase. As a result I don't really want to over-react here, but after hearing on previous occasions that Torii wouldn't mind coming back to Minnesota to finish his career where it began (once his contract expires in Anaheim, obviously), it came as a bit of a surprise when he says "I ain't goin' back to the Twins".

This isn't a hate-on-Torii post. More than anything I'm looking for your interpretation. As Twins fans, how do you take this? Is this just Torii-being-Torii and he's just playing around, or has something changed in the last year or so that's led him to actually change his mind about a potential reunion in Minnesota?

Watch for yourself and make up your own mind.

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Jesse

Would you want to come back to this mess?

Proprietor of Hockey Wilderness - We take Minnesota hockey WAY too seriously.

by nathaneide on Aug 4, 2011 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

+1

by eau claire twins fan on Aug 4, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I would, actually.

Coming back to MN > living in the rainy summer of England.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

And you would have to wonder

How many Olympic events will be postponed or cancelled due to the rain?

BTW, going to spend some time among the Olympic mess?

I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm actually not.

I’m moving back to the States in very short order.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

The Summer Games have been in London twice before

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

that is somehow different than the rainy summer we have here

by Sixmark on Aug 4, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

At least it’s warmer.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, when I first watched this, I thought that was a kind of weird statement.

I thought he’d be back after the Angels, so I don’t know. Maybe he’s seen how this year has gone and has changed his mind…

"You hang it, we bang it." -TK
Tweet me! @jessicann713

by fischean on Aug 4, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Eh... he's not going anywhere until 2013 and a lot of things will be different then

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Awww..

I miss Torii. Still one of my favorites. I think he was probably just saying that he isn’t leaving LA anytime soon and playing to his audience a little. At least it wasn’t an easy question for him!

by dctwin on Aug 4, 2011 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

That is what I thought too

This is Torii being Torii. What was he going to tell them? That he plans to beg the Twins to take him back? If so, the headline on Halos Heaven would have been Torii tratitor to Angels.

BTW, it is the hall of fame that chooses which cap you wear on your head on your plaque.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

One bad year does not make this team "a mess"

In case everyone forgot, we won the division back to back years, and it would have been 3 in a row if not for the coin flip rule in 2008.

The Angels sucked last year too.

I think Torii is a blowhard who says what people want to hear when they are interviewing him.

by matswilander on Aug 4, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Last sentence.

I don’t think he’s a blowhard, but I definitely agree that this was probably a situation where he says what he thinks his interviewers want to hear.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

seemed to be a bit of a pander. Big deal.

by archie2227 on Aug 4, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

Also, he hesitated at answering the question about what hat he would wear. I think he answered the way he knew they wanted to hear it, but I think the real answer is probably his initial “Oh man, that’s a hard question.”

On the other hand, loving Minnesota and thinking of it as a place to come home to is not necessarily in conflict with “I’m never going back there to live.” (Says the current California resident who hasn’t actually lived in Minnesota in >10 years.)

by ColossusOfRhode on Aug 4, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I read your blog and found out that you are a well traveled person that got to live on both coasts. However, you have made it clear where your interests lie.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Bill Smith will make it a mess.

"I wanted to do it because it's fun, it's fun to do bad things and drive into a car."

by PurplePeopleEaters on Aug 4, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess it doesn't really bug me.

We got more outfielders than we know what to do with. If we’re looking at spending money on outfielders, bring back Cuddy or Kubel.

by foertsch on Aug 4, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

I don't know.

With the potential turnover in this OF in the next year or so, come 2013 the Twins might have use for a veteran OF. Young, Cuddy & Kubel probably will all be gone by then, and considering the FO was entertaining offers on Span prior to the deadline they might deal him this winter. You never know.

That means, barring other trades or FA signings, the 2013 outfield could be a combination of Revere, Benson and Tosoni with Hicks, maybe Morales and Arcia, and depending on if the Twins are comfortable with Luke Hughes (if he’s still around) and/or Chris Parmelee playing in the corners. A lot of talent, but a lot of inexperience, too. If all that comes to pass (and it’s a lot of if’s, I know), there could be a role for Torii here.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd be shocked if Cuddy wasn't a Twin in 2013 (barring career-ending injury)

Then again, he might be a full-time 1st baseman.

I miss Morneau.

by foertsch on Aug 4, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Same

Cuddy, along with Mauer and Morneau, is the face of the Twins.

by Coolio12 on Aug 4, 2011 12:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah

I am pretty sure that Cuddy wants to get hit 3,000 with the Twins. Jason Kubel will not be back. I read recently that he wants to move to a team in California. Guessing he will sign with the Giants in the off-season.

As for Denard Span, he will still be with the team in 2013. The more you look at them, those rumors seem too one-sided with me and started after Bill Smith hung up on Mike Rizzo in mid sentence. You might want to interview him about Denard Span.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Hit 3,000?

With his walker?

I don't know, but I've been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
'the other hand, I've heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

by montanatwinsfan on Aug 4, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha!

Already in his 11th season, and he’s still got nearly 2,000 to go!!!!

"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series

by WindyCityTwinsFan on Aug 4, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

But he spent some time in the minors during that time.

Plus there are injuries, but I can see him approaching 3,000 hits.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you counting batting practice as hits, too?

You’re probably right. There’s probably lots of players who never had 200 hits in a season, but still had 3,000 in their career.

"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series

by WindyCityTwinsFan on Aug 4, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

One of your best

at this rate, he would need to play 12 more years to get 3000 hits. He will be 47 years old in 12 years.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 4, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Cuddy will be 44

Torii will be 47.

The over/under on Cuddy is about 2000.

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup

The over/under on Torii is 2400. I think he’ll play to age 40, the way he maintains himself.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 4, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll take the under

in a heartbeat.

I don't know, but I've been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
'the other hand, I've heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

by montanatwinsfan on Aug 4, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

his best season was 165.

If he did that for ten more years in a row he wouldn’t hit but 2700 hits at age 43.

I don’t think he has three more seasons of 165 hits/season baseball left in him. I think he’ll be lucky and successful to hit 1600 before ‘retirement’.

I don't know, but I've been told it's hard to run with the weight of gold,
'the other hand, I've heard it said, it's just as hard with the weight of lead.

by montanatwinsfan on Aug 4, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Torii will be pretty old in 2013, and I doubt he’d take a paycut big enough to make him worth it.

by ben2 on Aug 5, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Meh

Before watching the video I was a little upset. But context is so important always. Torii gave the right answer considering who was interviewing him. If he was asked that question in Minnesota, the answer would be different.

by Mr. Kwix on Aug 4, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Pretty much.

by JTW on Aug 4, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed 100%

That’s a “team player” answer. “Rah Rah Go My Current Team”.

More telling was the long pause and smile when asked which hat he would wear in the HOF (as if). You could tell his first thought was “Twins” but then he remembered who was interviewing him and gave a wishy-washy ansswer.

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

by MNPundit on Aug 4, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

It was the right answer until his last line

He didn’t need to say “and I’m not going back to Minnesota”

by ben2 on Aug 5, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

LA's been good to Torii

He was great as a Twin and they kept giving him 1 year contracts so that he had to field the trade questions each year and then he chose to test the free agent waters when his time came. LA gave him an amazing deal and they have been contenders for the most part. He knows he will be fairly old when his time there is done, so it is realistic that he won’t be back with the Twins. Those are the facts. Plus, I agree that he knew his audience. We loved him here and they love him there. Nothing to get upset about. Do we really want him to be miserable there, wishing for the good old days in MN?

The point is moot, however, since he will not make the HOF. You can see his reaction in the clip. Like, whoa…

The other teams could make trouble for us if they win. — Yogi Berra

by Twnzfan on Aug 4, 2011 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

The Twins didn't exactly go year-to-year with Torii.

They signed him in January of 2003 to a 4-year deal with an option for year 5. They bought out his second and third arb years if I remember correctly. That’s a long way off giving him 1-year contracts.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right

I should have done my research. I just remembered the last couple years here there was so much speculation about him remaining in a Twins uniform.

The other teams could make trouble for us if they win. — Yogi Berra

by Twnzfan on Aug 4, 2011 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right on, there.

It was 2007, his final year with the Twins, and ’06 which was the last year of the guaranteed deal. Both of those seasons saw some Hunter speculation.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Hard to say

I wouldn’t be surprised if Torii signed on as a member of the New York Yankees after this current deal with the Angels. The Big Apple might be just the place for him as was with Reggie Jackson.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it was an off-the-cuff statement

Not really worth reading into too much. He was just thinking out loud about who he’s going to win the World Series with, and since he’s an Angel, he was just saying that he’s going to win with them. Plus I mean the Twins in the middle of a series with the Angels, so emotions are running high.

I really like Toriible. I’d love to see him back in a Twins jersey, but if it doesn’t happen that’s ok too. Let’s not trade Span for a handful of beans. That’s what I’m more concerned about right now.

Do you want to know the terrifying truth, or do you want to see me sock a few dingers?

by natetheskate on Aug 4, 2011 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

It was taped on Monday

And it was an autograph session sponsored by Pepsi to promote something to do with MLB Greats, and is an likely tie-in with the World Series.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Torii being Torii

Speaking off the top of his head. It was a surprise, but I’m not getting too worked up about it.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"There is absolutely no connection between me, Emo Phillips, and 'emo' music." -Emo Phillips

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 4, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

Nothing against Torii

He knows the situation here in Minnesota. They dumped his expensive contract, and the Angels picked it up. The Twins still have a small market mentality, which means that they’ll keep only a few expensive players, and the rest of the team will be first-contract guys out of the minor leagues.

Besides, the Twins have Span, Revere, and several promising outfielders coming up from the minors. Why would he want to come back here, only to get pushed by Benson, Arcia, Hicks, etc?

Give Torii a break. He’s a premium professional outfielder, not a politician. Appreciate him for his jovial sense of humor, his casual honesty, and then move on to more serious issues.

by jimbo55403 on Aug 4, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Actually that was a fairly political answer there

Is he even allowed to say he’d consider moving back to the Twins after his contract is up? THAT would have made news. This is just him being smart enough to give the right answer for once.

Jesse’s just stirring the pot here.

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

A little bit!

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I swear I've heard him say just that in previous years

by ColossusOfRhode on Aug 4, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

He has.

And it did make news. We talked about it here. I’d search for it but I can’t remember when he said it.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure he did too.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"There is absolutely no connection between me, Emo Phillips, and 'emo' music." -Emo Phillips

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 4, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I found a FanShot,

because there were fewer of them to crawl through.

Right here.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

OK thanks... I guess my paranoia about "tampering" was unfounded

I do remember Torii got into some hot water for giving KC a gift for helping us catch DET or CWS one year.

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes!

He did, didn’t he. He sent KC some champagne I think.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup... they had to send it back

Nobody honestly thought there was any shenanigans, but seemed reasonable to draw the line around there somewhere.

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's the text of Jon Marthaler's fanshot.

Torii Hunter wants to come back to MInnesota – after he’s done getting paid by the Angels, that is. Nick Punto better get his face in sparring shape by 2014.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Meaningless

In the context of the quote, he literally meant it was unlikely he’d be back with the Twins, which is true, regardless of his openness to it.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane

by AdamOnFirst on Aug 4, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

This.

I'm still a Minnesotan at heart...

by urluckyday on Aug 4, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Is it just me, or does he seem like a douche in this?

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 4, 2011 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

You hate Torii so much you love him.

by Jesse on Aug 4, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Always been a fan, but forgot how annoying he can get

This brought back memories of all those days LEN III followed him around looking for quotes, in which I just wanted to say: “Shut up Torii.”

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Aug 4, 2011 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

And his latest quote, and Tuesday night's home run, make me want to punch him in the face.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Last word was supposed to be face.

by Jessy S on Aug 4, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Hes the

HULA DULAAAA

Ponder to Harvin for 6!

by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Aug 4, 2011 3:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Just Torii being Torii

Granted, you could take my opinion with an epic grain of salt, as I have a rosy view of Torii. He was my favorite player growing up and I still have a huge place in my heart for him. But this probably is just a context-sensitive remark, and yes, if he were interviewed by a Minnesota journalist, it would probably be different. I’d love to have him back at the end of his career.

When I was a kid, I would cover a blue futon with a white blanket, prop it up with a fan set on high, and pretend it was the Metrodome. That should tell you a lot.

by MarshalltheIrish on Aug 4, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Would I go back to a company I used to work for?

Never

Not that I have hard feeling towards prior companies – I’m actually very fond of a few, and have friends there that I still hang out with to this day. But go back and work there? Naw, been there done that….I want to try something new.

It’s just business

The beard abides.

by Jason Kubel's Beard on Aug 4, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Lots of players end up returning, too

At the end of his first stint, Bert Blyleven flipped off the fans and they shouted back “Bye, Bye, Bertie” once we traded him. But, he did eventually come back and help us to a ring and now he’s one of the franchises leading ambassadors.

Who else “returned”… Pete Rose, Ken Griffey (both), Reggie Jackson, Andy Pettitte, Harold Baines (twice), Greg Maddux, Darryl Evans… we could have fun listing more.

It wouldn’t surprise me if he returned, but it would probably mean we weren’t contending and/or our OF prospects went bust.

by DavidRF on Aug 4, 2011 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets be real here

Torii Hunter is 36 going to be 38 by the time his contract is over. His family lives in Texas in the offseason. IF he goes anywhere but LA I expect he would go to Texas and finish out his career nearer to home. I don’t see this as a knock on the Twins, I see this as a player with his priorities straight and who knows what best for him and his family. Its really just his preference to not play in Minnesota and thats okay. He isn’t saying I hated Minnesota or the place was terrible to me.

"We’re all in this boat together. Everybody grab an oar."
-Tom Kelly

by Go Twins! on Aug 4, 2011 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

Glad to hear Torii realize what we all knew years ago.

by timprov on Aug 5, 2011 1:08 AM EDT reply actions

Well… We could get him at the end of his career as his skills diminish and he is a shadow of his former self, or he could just sign a one day deal, retire as a twin, and we remember all he did for the team and how good he was for us in his prime.

by JMP on Aug 5, 2011 1:59 AM EDT reply actions