Torii Hunter News: Pro Sports Daily

Knee 'pretty good,' so Hunter expects to play Sunday

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October 5

Orange County Register

"It was ice on, ice off for Hunter during the Angels' five-hour cross-country flight Saturday. Hunter said the treatment left his hyperextended left knee feeling "pretty good." Hunter injured his knee when he jumped in frustration over a close call that went against him at first base in the third inning of Game 2. Scioscia refused to let him take part in batting practice during the team's light workout at Fenway Park, but Hunter said he would be ready to play Sunday. "I'm good. I'll be in there," he said."

Hunter hurt in batting practice as Angels lose to A's

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September 18

L.A. Daily News

"When the Angels clinched their division title a week ago, manager Mike Scioscia said he put a high priority on having a healthy team for the playoffs but he intended to play his regulars and would not "put bubble wrap on them" until the postseason began. Maybe a little protective coating wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. Instead of giving them more time to get healthy for the playoffs, the Angels' early clinching party seems only to have given them more time to add to their injury concerns. They went out and lost to the Oakland A's, 3-2, for the second time Wednesday night with Torii Hunter scratched from the lineup with a self-inflicted injury and Chone Figgins packing for a trip to ..."

Pudge, Hunter suspended 2 games for fight

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September 10

Newsday

"Yankees catcher Ivan Rodriguez and the Los Angeles Angels Torii Hunter were suspended two games each Wednesday for their roles in a bench-clearing scuffle. Rodriguez took an openhanded swing at Hunter after getting shoved in the back by the Angels star, and both players were ejected Monday night. Bob Watson, baseball's vice president in charge of discipline, cited them for "violent and inappropriate actions." Both were fined, as was Angels pitcher John Lackey. Los Angeles went on to win 12-1. Hunter, hung up between third and home on Mike Napoli's sixth-inning grounder, came in standing up and bumped into Rodriguez, who tagged him out. Rodriguez appeared to nudge Hunter with his left elbow ..."

Angels' Hunter enjoys second 'rookie' season

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August 12

Orange County Register

"One of the most likable athletes in pro sports just wanted to be liked. "I think I tried to do too much the first three months," Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said of changing teams for the first time in his career this year. "Being the new guy, I wanted to be accepted by my new teammates, by the fans. "Amazing. I've got nine years of experience in the big leagues and I'm still trying to be accepted." Hunter came to the Angels with seven Gold Gloves and two All-Star appearances on that nine-year resume. He also came with a five-year, $90 million contract - the largest in franchise history. But living up to that contract isn't what worried him, Hunter said. "Not because of the contract - I ..."

Angels' Hunter quietly gives $50K for Placentia field

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August 7

Orange County Register

"Torii Hunter's arrival in Orange County has done more for Placentia's children than giving them a great center fielder to watch. Hunter quietly matched the Angels Baseball Foundation donation of $50,000 to build Placentia's first softball field at Kraemer Park. Hunter's $50,000 donation did not become public until just recently - prompting the City Council to name the field after him during its meeting Tuesday night. "He immediately contributed to the community, so we're more than happy to name the field after him," Mayor Scott Nelson said. The field is being built by Magical Builders, which finds contractors to work for such community projects for free. Without the pro-bono work, the ..."

Angels' Torii Hunter vows not to repeat baserunning blunder

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June 21

Los Angeles Times

"Torii Hunter was in full mea culpa mode Friday, taking responsibility for Wednesday night's gaffe, when he forgot there were only two outs, pulled up between second and third base and was tagged out in a rundown against the New York Mets. But there was an extenuating circumstance. "I passed the bag, stepped on [second baseman Damian ] Easley's foot and rolled my ankle," Hunter said. "That took me out of my game. It was the same ankle I broke before, and I kind of lost it. By then, I was in no-man's land. It was too late.""

Hunter gets good advice -- from son

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June 19

L.A. Daily News

"Torii Hunter was driving home from Angel Stadium on Monday night knowing that something wasn't right in his approach at the plate. He had gone 1 for 3 in a 9-6 loss to the New York Mets but couldn't quite put his finger on why things seemed out of sorts. His son, Torii Jr., solved the mystery. "Why don't you keep your head still?" Torii Jr. asked his father. "You've been jumping a lot. Why are you jumping at the ball?" Hunter thought about his son's questioning and concluded he was right. "I didn't believe he said that to me, but it made sense," Hunter said. "I thought about it when I got home and I thought, 'That's right. If you keep your head still, maybe you'll see the ball.'""

Angels' Torii Hunter understands what teammate Gary Matthews Jr. is going through

May 20

Los Angeles Times

"He is the reason Gary Matthews Jr. was forced to adjust to a completely different role this season, so it would be only natural for Torii Hunter to feel a little bit responsible for his friend's struggles. The Angels signed Matthews two winters ago, giving him five years and $50 million, telling him and everyone else they needed a premium defensive center fielder. He played fine defense and he hit .252 with 18 home runs, second on the team to Vladimir Guerrero. Then the Angels, in need of a big bat last winter and unwilling to bid $300 million just for the right to talk to Alex Rodriguez, signed Hunter for five years and $90 million. Hunter, a seven-time Gold Glove winner, moved ..."