Torii Hunter Is So Defensive
June 22, 2009 – 9:20 am by Lance Zimmerman
Torii Hunter was the best outfielder I’ve ever seen. True, he’s lost a step over the past few years. Playing on that 1980’s astroturf for most of his career in the Metrodome doubled the wear and tear on his knees. When Torii finally made it to the warm confines of Anaheim, his defense was a tick above average at best.
Centerfielders usually age poorly regardless of time spent on bad playing surfaces. Most usually fade around the age of 30, and are moved to a corner outfield spot, where they don’t have to rely as much on speed to make plays. Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron were closely behind Torii for the honors of best centerfielders in the game four years ago. Now Jones is a left fielder who makes spot starts in center for a Texas Rangers team with a horrible defense. Cameron still patrols center for the Milwaukee Brewers on occasion, but his defense, like Torii’s, has seen better days.
Still, having a defensive minded captain in the outfield will net a team more wins than an average centerfielder who hits 20 home runs. Teams are realizing this and are placing more of a premium on players who are good with the leather.
Torii Hunter joined Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio to discuss the Angels struggles and if Hunter sees a turn around coming.
Torii was asked why defense was such a big deal to him growing up when the game was more glorified for offense:
“In the minor leagues I loved playing defense. I loved taking those doubles, those hits and homers away from guys and looking at the expressions on their face. I got a lot of drive from that. On offense, you struggle. 3 out of 10 you’re a hero. 3 out of 10 at your job, you’re getting fired. 3 out of 10 in school, that’s an F. 3 out of 10 on offense in baseball that’s a selling grade. But defense, it never goes anywhere. I just try to get better and better at defense and when I get on the field I know I’m not going to make a mistake. If I don’t have any hits, you can’t get any either. I love taking those balls away. That’s the best feeling in the world.”
On if he’s a fan of interleague play:
“Some players will tell you that they never face the pitching, or they don’t know anything about these guys. You’re going to different parks and playing in different parks that you normally would never play in if you didn’t have interleague play, unless you’re in the World Series or something like that. The fans get to see players that they never even came face to face with or seen play live before. It feels good when you can give those fans that dream of seeing you play live. That’s the good thing about inter league play. It’s for the fans.”
Torii was asked about the steroid policy and if the MLB is in the wrong for leaking the information on Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa’s positive tests:
“I don’t know where it comes from. It’s supposed to be anonymous (the drug tests) and Sammy’s name leaked out and A-Rod’s (Alex Rodriguez). I don’t know how that happened. Hopefully we clean that up. That’s 2003. As of 2004 on, the drug testing policy we have, man, it’s strong. People are always going to say ‘oh there’s still steroids in baseball’. If it is, somebody’s stupid. They get caught, I’ve got no love for them right now. 2003 on back, that’s water under the bridge. Right now with the steroid testing policy we have, I promise you there aren’t too many guys taking steroids because if there is I promise you they would lose respect from the players, from the front office of Major League Baseball and the Players Association. You shouldn’t be doing it. That’s cheating.”
Listen to Torii Hunter on ESPN Radio with Colin Cowherd (13:05 into podcast)
Tags: American League West, ESPN Radio, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, The Thundering Herd, Torii Hunter
