Minnesota Twins: Torii Hunter announces his retirement
Five time All-Star and nine time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter has announced his retirement from the game of baseball. The Minnesota Twins outfielder told of his retirement to La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune.
Here’s the quote that Hunter gave to the Star Tribune on his retirement:
"“I’m sad because it’s all I’ve known for half of my life. This great game of baseball has done so much for me. I have learned a lot of lessons. They say baseball is life and life is baseball, and I used baseball and applied it to my life. So I got through a lot of hardships and a lot of hard times and I learned from them and I made adjustments, which you have to do in the game of baseball as well as the game of life. So baseball taught me a lot.“But mentally, I think it’s time. I still love the game, but time has taken a toll on me mentally and physically.”"
Twins PR also confirmed Hunter’s retirement:
CONFIRMED: Torii Hunter has decided to retire from playing baseball. Thanks for the memories Torii! #MNTwins
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) October 27, 2015
Hunter was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1993 and played in 19 seasons at the MLB level. Hunter played 12 of those seasons in a Minnesota Twins uniform, five with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and two with the Detroit Tigers. Hunter’s first 11 seasons at the big league level were with the Twins before leaving for seven seasons and returning to Minnesota for his final season.
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Hunter had an impressive career with his nine Gold Glove awards being awarded in nine consecutive seasons between 2001-2009. Hunter also won two Silver Sluggers, the latest being just three seasons ago with the Tigers in 2013.
The Arkansas native never appeared in a World Series. Hunter did make three American League Championship Series, one with each of the teams he played for.
Hunter told the Star Tribune that he is going to first take some time off before taking on a new job. He said that job could be anything from an analyst to pursuing business interests.
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