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Torii Hunter Signs with Angels
By Chad Gramling | November 22, 2007
One of the biggest names during the hot stove season this year was former Fort Wayne Wizards outfielder Torii Hunter. But news broke early this morning that Hunter has signed a five-year 90 million dollar deal with the California Anaheim Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It officially closes the book on one chapter of his career, which had been spent completely within the Minnesota Twins organization.
The signing was a surprise because Hunter was most pursued by the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. The Angels were not considered in the running - neither were the Twins following Hunter’s rejection of an offer about half of the one he signed with the Angels.
“It just was that time, time for me to go elsewhere. Both sides, I think, felt that way. They probably thought that it was time, too. That’s the way it goes. I’m sad though. That’s the team I wanted to finish my career with, but when you see what I signed for and that I get a chance to play for a team like the Angels, it just seemed like a perfect fit” [source: MLB.com].
In 1993, Torii Hunter was selected in the first round of the MLB draft. He joined the Fort Wayne Wizards for the 1994 season and turned in a solid .293 average while hitting 10 home runs with 50 runs batted. He made his big league debut on August 22, 1997 with the Twins.
You can read more about Torii Hunter’s stint in Fort Wayne and see additional photos in Baseball in Fort Wayne on pages 100-102. Photograph is courtesy of the Fort Wayne Wizards.
[tags]Torii Hunter, Fort Wayne Wizards, Baseball in Fort Wayne, Angels, Twins, Center Fielders, Free Agent Signings[/tags]
