Here's a tip for you fellow writers and bloggers out there, if you ever cover Torii Hunter or the Minnesota Twins, watch what you say. An article you write on a minor leaguer in the system can come back to haunt you, especially if it involves Torii Hunter.
Jim Mandelaro keeps a blog at the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle in which he covers the Rochester Red Wings, and other stories in MLB. He's been writing for the paper for the last 16 years. He had a unique encounter with Hunter last Friday, and it's probably best I let Jim tell you the story.
Well, after the jump anyway.
In yesterday's blog, I jokingly wrote that Torii Hunter and I were buds. Torii had come over to me while I was interviewing Chris Heintz, stuck his Blackberry in my face and asked if I had written the article on his screen. It was a freelance piece I had done on Red Wings shortstop Tommy Watkins, a journeyman whose dream came true when he played at Fenway Park for Rochester last August.
Well, in the piece, I wrote that over the years Tommy's defense has more resembled Ozzie Nelson than Ozzie Smith. It was a cute throwaway line, and I never thought twice about it. I think the world of Tommy. He's a hardworking guy, and everybody loves him. He should be proud of his perseverence through eight years of playing in the low minors.Hunter apparently doesn't see it that way.
After yesterday's brief encounter, I felt emboldened enough to approach him at his locker today, which is in the far end of the clubhouse. It could not have gone worse.
I asked Torii if he would comment on two of his proteges, Watkins and Wings center fielder Denard Span, for stories I was doing this week. Torii immediately said he would not talk to me because of the "Ozzie Nelson" line in my story. I was absolutely stunned, floored. But I could tell right away he was not kidding.I told Hunter I was shocked. I told him I had been telling everyone what a great guy he was, how he had paid for Span's flight to Dallas in January so that Span could work out with him.Hunter didn't want to hear any of it. He said he knew he was a great guy and didn't need me telling him. He became increasingly angry.
Then he did something that will burn a negative image of the "great" Torii Hunter in my mind forever. He ordered me out of the clubhouse. He used a certain profanity numerous times. I knew better than to challenge him, and I made the long walk from the back of the clubhouse to the front, passing one Twin after another. All of them had stunned, not angry, looks on their faces. He told me to get my "Rochester a**" out of the room. I have it on tape. I had hit "record" in preparation for the interview. I just played it for the writers up here in the press box. They couldn't believe it either. They told me of a similar incident toward the end of last year, when Torii went off on a beat writer for printing a quote from Hunter that was negative toward Minnesota's opponent the next day, the Kansas City Royals. But other than that, apparently has been a solid citizen.
I'm not sure if this is just a case of Hunter doing everything he can to protect another player, or just being an overreactive DB, but since I may soon enter a Twins locker room in the near future all I can say is this.
Torii Hunter is the greatest human being on the face of this, or any other planet. I one day hope to be half the man that Torii Hunter is, though I know I can't be for Mr. Hunter is a God and I am nothing but a mortal.
(Ridiculously complicated handshake to Aaron Gleeman)
Previously at the Fanhouse:
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I know Torii Hunter personally. He is very mature and open to anyone. He might have been angry, but your story about him yelling, cursing and throwing you out of the dugout is terrible. Although he is a great player, he does not have the power to throw you out of the locker room. He has dealt with the media and anyone else on many occasions. I highly doubt he acted the way you said he did. Now if you have the tape that proves it, then everything that i have said has no merit. However, I have not heard the tape.
Torii Hunter was on PTI yesterday and he came across as an idiot. He was asked about wearing Jackie Robinson's # and he began to back pedal about his comments earlier in the day that too many people were going to wear the #. Michael Wilbon quickly pick up on what he was meaning and ask him shouldn't all races and people wear the #. Hunter just came across as an idiot. Hunter also was asked about the lack of black people in MLB again as an idiot it responded not my fault. It is a good thing this guy can play baseball because he is an idiot
Excuse me, Jones. Is it? What torii said on tv had nothing to do with this article. I think you're on the wrong site. To Mr. Tom Fornelli, torii hunter does not own a blackberry. Another reason why this aricle seems to be false. Please get your facts straight before you post information like this up about people. On that note, i think torii would be interested in reading this article. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to say.