The 5 Greatest Facts to Know About OF Torii Hunter

Torii Hunter was taken 20th overall in the first round of the 1993 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins out of high school. The early-round draft pick made his MLB debut in August 1997, only appearing in one game that year and only six in 1998. The 6’2 220lb OF found his footing in 1999, playing in 135 games and tallying 98 hits. Hunter certainly knew how to hit a baseball, but he was feared by batters for his speed, instincts, and leaping ability in the outfield, robbing countless homers over his long career.

The Arkansas native captured his first Gold Glove in 2001, kicking off one of the most incredible fielding stretches in MLB history. Hunter had his best season in 2002 when he was invited to his first All-Star Game and finished sixth in AL MVP voting. Dubbed “Spider-Man” by fans for his acrobatic play in CF, Hunter became a household name in the 2002 MLB All-Star Game with a spectacular catch to rob Barry Bonds of a 1st inning home run.

From 2001-2009, Hunter won nine consecutive Gold Gloves, even after leaving the Twins to sign a more lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Angels following the 2007 season. Although one of baseball’s greatest OF never captured a World Series title, he was a 5x All-Star, twice with the Twins, twice with the Angels, and once more in 2013 with the Detroit Tigers. The Arkansas native’s bat may not have reached HOF numbers, but his remarkable play in CF cemented him as one of the best defensive players in MLB history. 

Here are some of the greatest facts to know about Torii Hunter: