Torii Hunter

A hurtful, unfortunate episode

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0000

It's important for me to set the record straight on quotes that were attributed to me in a national publication today. I took part recently in a roundtable discussion about the declining number of black players in professional baseball, a subject that's been close to me my whole career.

I am hurt by how the comments attributed to me went off the track and misrepresented how I feel. My whole identity has been about bringing people together, from my neighborhood to the clubhouse. The point I was trying to make was that there is a difference between black players coming from American neighborhoods and players from Latin America. In the clubhouse, there is no difference at all. We're all the same.

We all come from different places and backgrounds. Coming from Pine Bluff, Ark., my hometown, is no different than being a kid from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. We all share the common bond of a love of baseball, and it pulls us together on the field and in the clubhouse.

What troubles me most was the word "impostors" appearing in reference to Latin American players not being black players. It was the wrong word choice, and it definitely doesn't accurately reflect how I feel and who I am.

What I meant was they're not black players; they're Latin American players. There is a difference culturally. But on the field, we're all brothers, no matter where we come from, and that's something I've always taken pride in: treating everybody the same, whether he's a superstar or a young kid breaking into the game. Where he was born and raised makes no difference.

I've spent my whole career devoting time and resources to making the game more available to young kids in various communities. I love the game. It's changed my whole life, given me a great life. And it's important to me to spread the message to kids that the game can teach them so much and give them so much, even if they're not one of the lucky ones who make it.

I was a football player as a kid. Football was my life where I grew up. But people like Scipio Spinks, who pitched in the Major Leagues and saw me play, and my grandfather were able to convince me that I could have a long career in baseball and not tear up my body. I am grateful I listened to them and followed this path. Now I'm dedicated to spreading the word to other young kids.

This is dear to my heart, which is why I'm so hurt that people might take it the wrong way. I'll continue to do the things I've always done in trying to inspire as many young kids, in every community I can reach, to get involved in this great game.

I want kids from backgrounds like mine to understand that this road is open to them, and it's a road that can bring them a lot of satisfaction and happiness.

T. Hunter Celebrity Golf Classic

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The Torii Hunter Celebrity Golf Classic took place on November 10th and 11th, 2009 was a tremendous succuss. It benefitted the Torii Hunter Project and Heart of a Champion Foundation.

Thanks to all who participated and supported this worthy cause.

Further information is available at: http://www.toriihunter.com/golfclassic/.

Torii wins 2009 Branch Rickey Award

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Torii Hunter was the receipient of the 2009 Branch Rickey Award on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Marriott City Center Hotel in downtown Denver.

Created by the Rotary Club of Denver, the Branch Rickey Award is the home of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame recognizing professionals in Major League baseball for exceptional community service.

Additional information on the award can be found here.

Torii Hunter's Personal Miracle

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Check out this great article about Torii Hunter written by the Wall Street Journal's Lee Hawkins. To read the article, click here.

Need some training tips?

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 +0000

I am very excited that the baseball season is underway again. Since returning to the diamond I have teamed up with Protege Sports to give you some helpful hints and tips on how to play centerfield. These are the same tips that helped me become a pro baseball player.

You can check out the website at: Protege Sports. We have created 12 videos that will help teach you different tips and strategies to becoming a better center fielder.

I will teach you how to catch a ball in the sun, play a ball off the wall, master the crow hop, and more.

ESPN The Magazine - Outtakes Article

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Check out the latest Outtakes article by Kenny Mayne from ESPN The Magazine. (Volume 12, No. 6, March 23, 2009)

Torii Hunter's Blog

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Torii is blogging about the pre-season as the Halos look to bring another World Championship to Los Angeles. Details are as follows: http://toriihunter.mlblogs.com/.

Building Hope: Youth to Benefit from Launch of The Torii Hunter Project

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0000

Media Contact:
Mike Dillon or Jennifer Marisnick
Reynolds Sports Management
951.784.6333
reynoldssports@gmail.com
jmarisnick@aol.com

Building Hope: Youth to Benefit from Launch of The Torii Hunter Project

LAS VEGAS (Dec. 9, 2008) – Torii Hunter, in partnership with the Heart of a Champion Foundation, and in conjunction with the Angels Baseball Foundation, today launched The Torii Hunter Project’s Education Initiative, to bring character building programs and college scholarships to students in four states. Students in Anaheim, CA, Pine Bluff, AR, Las Vegas, NV, and Minneapolis, MN will benefit from the program.

The Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative, believed to be the first such comprehensive educational effort initiated by a professional athlete, officially kicked off with an announcement at the Bellagio Hotel. The initiative, which will be operated by the Heart of a Champion Foundation, focuses on two aspects: the Heart of a Champion character education curriculum, which will be delivered to middle school and junior high school students in Anaheim, CA, Pine Bluff, AR, and Minneapolis, MN; and the Hunter’s Hundred scholarship program, which will provide college scholarships to 100 students from Anaheim, Pine Bluff and Las Vegas, NV over the next four years. The initiative has a dedicated website, www.toriihunterproject.com.

“The way I grew up was pretty tough, I vowed to myself, that if I ever got the opportunity to help anybody that I was going to do it. That's one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about helping kids. Seeing the difference I can make in somebody's life is powerful. I'm glad that I can in some small way give back, because I feel blessed to be where I'm at.”

The focus on character development and assisting students with a college education is important to Hunter who has seen these as two key elements for young people to have an opportunity for a successful future.

“By combining these two areas in this initiative, Torii believes he will be able to help better prepare secondary school students for their future through effective character training, and then provide a means for them to further their academic pursuits by helping them attend college,” said Steve Riach, Founder and Board Chairman of the Heart of a Champion Foundation, Hunter’s partner in the effort. “It is a comprehensive approach to giving students the opportunity to elevate their lives, receive a quality education, and be better prepared for the future. We are excited to partner with Torii.”

The Heart of a Champion program is regarded as the nation’s premier character education program for secondary school students. The comprehensive curriculum focuses on nine core character traits: Commitment, Leadership, Perseverance, Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, Self Control and Compassion, and is delivered over the entire nine-month school year. The program incorporates innovative print, video and online tools to instill and reinforce positive character and life skills. For the past eight years, the program has produced measurable results in schools in 18 states. In this initiative, the program will initially impact approximately 7,000 students in Anaheim, Pine Bluff and Minneapolis. The Angels Foundation is partnering with Torii to reach students in the Anaheim area with the program.

Hunter’s Hundred will provide a total of 100 scholarships to qualifying students during the years 2009-2012. Students will be required to meet certain criteria, including, but not limited to, financial need, academic standing and attendance, and will be selected without regard to race, gender or ethnicity.

Each year, beginning with the 2009-10 school year, 25 scholarships will be presented to select high school graduates. The recipients will be selected from the Orangewood Children’s Home in Orange, CA, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, NV, and the Pine Bluff, AR school district.

Andre Agassi commented, “We are grateful that Torii Hunter has selected Agassi Prep as a recipient of this significant scholarship gift. As a college preparatory school, our ultimate goal is to fulfill our students’ dreams to go to college. Torii Hunter clearly shares our belief that with education, there is hope.”

The overall goal of the initiative is to raise 5 million dollars over the next 4 years to fund both aspects. Reaching this goal will enable The Torii Hunter Project to provide the Heart of a Champion program to over 50,000 middle school and junior high students, and to fund college scholarships for at least 100 high school graduates.

“I am excited about what this initiative will accomplish,” Hunter said. “Ultimately, if we assist students in their efforts to prepare for and attend college, these students will ‘repay’ our society by entering society and the workforce as adult men and women of character who will positively impact their families, their places of work, and their communities.”

About The Torii Hunter Project
The Torii Hunter Project is a comprehensive, long-term effort to impact youth in need in various parts of the United States. The project has four areas of focus related to youth: Sports, Community, Education, and Wellness. Torii and his wife Katrina have personally contributed over $1 million to the project, and is joining with other partners to fund efforts in each area of The Torii Hunter Project. These efforts include youth athletic facilities in Southern California and Pine Bluff, AR; assistance for children in need, homeless families, children with terminal illnesses, and other community-based and wellness support. More information is available at www.toriihunterproject.com.

About The Heart of a Champion
The Heart of a Champion Foundation, a 501c3 based in Dallas, TX, was founded in 1997, and for the past 8 years has provided character programs to middle school and junior high students in 18 states. Heart of a Champion partners with entities such as Coca-Cola, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Texans, Express Professional Services, and individuals to impact youth across America with proven effective character training tools. Heart of a Champion also offers ethics and character training programs for corporations and businesses, working with Fortune 100 and 500 companies to produce measurable results and bottom-line change. For information, please visit www.heartofachampion.org or www.hoctraining.com.

About The Angels Baseball Foundation
Through their involvement in a variety of outreach programs and non-profit organizations, Angels Baseball has proven to be a valuable member of the surrounding community. The Angels Baseball Foundation focuses on initiatives aimed to create and improve Education, Healthcare, Arts & Sciences, and Community related youth programs throughout the region, in addition to providing children the opportunity to experience the great game of baseball and its countless positive attributes.

Since its inception in 2004, the Angels Baseball Foundation has awarded many grants to worthy organizations throughout the community, ranging from music programs to at-risk youth shelters. Laurel House and Family Solutions have each been awarded these grants, as they aim to improve the mental and social well being of disadvantaged youths. The University of California and the California State systems have also benefited from the Foundation. This year, the Angels Baseball Foundation established the Angels Scholars program and provided $4,000 scholarships to five academically talented, financially disadvantaged public middle school students in Orange County.

The Angels work with various groups that promote the health of the community through awareness, treatment and research programs. With a common goal of improving the lives of others, the club teams with healthcare organizations such as Anaheim Memorial, Orange Coast Memorial, Children's Hospital & Health Systems Foundation, Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, the Orange County Burn Association and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

The Angels Baseball Foundation also takes great pride in supporting nation-wide youth programs such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, as well as local programs like Little Leagues throughout the area. Additionally, the Foundation provides financial assistance to youth baseball clinics, camps and recreational programs that promote the game of baseball and softball. Over the past two years, the Foundation has contributed over a half a million dollars to these causes. Together with the Angels Baseball Foundation, these local and national organizations help shape the lives of thousands and, in many cases, help nurture the hopes and dreams of the countless youths involved.

The majority of the funding the Angels Baseball Foundation receives comes from team fundraisers and donations from local citizens and private organizations. By simply donating $25 to the Angels Baseball Foundation, fans have the opportunity to post a birthday, anniversary, or welcome message during a game on the Angel Vision Board. One can become a permanent part of Angel Stadium of Anaheim by purchasing a personalized brick for $99 that will be placed at the stadium's main entrance.
While these may appear to be small individual rewards, together they allow the Angels Baseball Foundation to fulfill its goal of assisting community members and organizations throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area.

2007 Career Highlights:

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Appeared in a career-high 160 games and moved into ninth place on the Twins All-Time hit list passing Zoilo Versalles (1046) and Roy Smalley (1046) on Opening Day, April 2 vs. Baltimore...later passed Cesar Tovar (1164) and Chuck Knoblach (1197) on the Twins All-Time hit list and ranks seventh with 1218 hits...hit safely in career-high 23 straight games, going 35-for-94 (.372) from April 11-May 9, was the fourth longest hitting streak in Twins history...during the streak he recorded 11 multi-hit games, 12 doubles, five home runs and 19 rbi...hit his seventh career grand slam, April 17 at Seattle...went 3-for-5 with two home runs and a career-high seven rbi, May 13 vs. Detroit, marking the 14th time in Twins history a player has driven in seven-or-more runs...hit his eighth career grand slam and second of the season, May 18 at Milwaukee...eighth career multi-homer game (second of season), June 28 vs. Toronto...had 13-game hitting-streak, going 21-for-54 (.389) with five doubles, three homers and 12 rbi, August 13-26...ninth career grand slam (third of season), August 15 at Seattle..his nine grand slams moved him into second place on the Twins All-Time list trailing only Harmon Killebrew (10)...finished the year with 49-multi-hit games...set a career-high with 107 rbi...ranks 5th on the Twins All-Time list in doubles (259) and stolen bases (711) and 7th in total bases (2105), runs (672), home runs (192) and rbi (711)...posted a .995 fielding percentage (2 E, 394 TC)...tied for American League lead in grand slams (three), was fourth in doubles, tied for sixth in extra-base hits (74), seventh in home runs and 10th in rbi.

All-Star Regimen - Men's Fitness

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0000

L.A.'s new angel in the outfield Torii Hunter is one of baseball's best all-around players. He credits body-weight training, stabilization exercises, and a tailor-made diet.

Story at: http://www.mensfitness.com/sports_and_recreation/athletes/74?page=1