lw789
Bootsmann
Joined: 13 June 2018
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 510
|
| Posted: 27 July 2018 at 09:56 | IP Logged
|
|
|
MINNEAPOLIS - When Torii Hunter first came up to the
major leagues in 1997, Paul Molitor was bringing a Hall
of Fame playing career to a close with his hometown
Minnesota Twins.Molitor could still swing the bat, and
the impression he made on a talented group of youngsters,
including Hunter, helped lay the foundation for the long-
struggling teams renaissance.Almost two decades later,
Hunter is returning to Minnesota, his home away from
home, to play for Molitor and return the favour.This is
where I needed to be, Hunter said Wednesday after signing
a $10.5 million, one-year contract with the Twins. This
is home for me.Hunter spent the first 11 years of his
career with the Twins. He was a first-round draft pick as
an 18-year-old in 1993 and looked up to Kirby Puckett and
Molitor, among others, as he made his way up through the
system.He watched how Molitor, who hit .341 in 161 games
as a 39-year-old designated hitter with the Twins in
1996, went about his business, studying opposing pitchers
for weaknesses and pouncing on blunders in the outfield
to take an extra base.Now Hunter is 39, still swinging
the bat pretty well in the closing stages of his career.
And the Twins are flush with prospects who need a
mentor.Its crazy how things come full circle, Hunter
said. Just watching Molitor at the end of his career and
I was a young player and he was imparting (wisdom) to me
and showing me different things. Hes the manager now and
Im almost at the end of my career, still producing
though. Now Im coming back and trying to impart to some
of these younger guys and give back to them and make them
better.The Twins have lost at least 92 games in each of
the last four seasons and a young clubhouse has at times
appeared overwhelmed and a little lost without a strong
veteran voice. The organization hopes prospects such as
Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, Alex Meyer and Eddie Rosario
will be ready to support quiet veteran Joe Mauer. There
also are up-and-comers Kennys Vargas, Oswaldo Arcia and
Danny Santana on the roster who may push the Twins back
into relevance.General manager Terry Ryan was looking on
the free-agent market for a right-handed hitter with some
power, and Hunter hit 17 homers and drove in 83 runs for
the Detroit Tigers last year. That Hunter also happens to
be the kind of player who takes pride in being a vocal
leader and holding other players accountable only added
to the attraction.Weve got a young club here. Weve got
young position players, Ryan said. We brought Torii here
not only to help them out, but more importantly, we still
believe Torii can be a productive player in his own
right.Hunter is a five-time All-Star and a nine-time Gold
Glove winner who has hit at least 16 homers in 13 of his
last 14 seasons.He had other suitors, and perhaps some
were much closer to contending for the championship that
has eluded Hunter to this point in his career.Hunter said
he couldnt pass up the chance to return to the place it
all began. Hes looking to help the Twins regain the level
of the team that won four division titles in five seasons
before he left in 2008.Hunter asked for a full no-trade
clause in his contract in order to come back home,
underlining his commitment to helping this wayward
franchise, and the Twins agreed.Hunter said if things go
poorly this season and Ryan has a chance to trade him to
a contender at the deadline, they will discuss it. But
his preference is to finish his career in Minnesota,
whether it ends after this season or not.This is where I
want to be, Hunter said. Im in it for the long haul if
theyre willing to do it.NOTES: Hunter would earn $25,000
bonuses if hes an All-Star, wins a Gold Glove or wins a
Silver Slugger. He would get $100,000 for MVP, $75,000
for second, $50,000 for third and $25,000 for fourth
through sixth. He would get $50,000 for League
Championship Series MVP and $100,000 for World Series
MVP.
C
ustom Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . Its a blessing
and a burden for nine sons of former NHL players who are
all expected to be taken in the first four rounds of the
draft this weekend.
Price-Bengals-Jersey/">Billy Price Jersey . In the
last race before the Sochi Olympics, Bjoergen followed up
her win in the 10-kilometre classical race on Saturday by
beating World Cup sprint leader Denise Herrmann of
Germany by 0.43 seconds for her fifth victory of the
season. http://www.bengalsauthenticproshop.com/Youth-
Logan-Woodside-Bengals-Jersey/. Striker Dario Mandzukic
scored the opener in the 22nd minute but was given a red
card nine minutes later for a reckless tackle and left
Croatia with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Baker-Bengals-Jersey/">Chris Baker Bengals Jersey .
Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza scored in the shootout to
lead the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 victory over Nashville
on Saturday night.
Bates-III-Bengals-Jersey/">Jessie Bates III Jersey .
Lawries batting helmet hit an umpire during his ninth-
inning outburst in the Jays 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay on
Tuesday. The 22-year-old threw his helmet to the ground
and it bounced up and hit home plate umpire Bill Miller
on the right hip after Lawrie was called out on strikes
for the second out.Durham, NH (Sports Network) - The
University of New Hampshire football program is working
toward a potential CAA Football title, but the second-
ranked Wildcats have an eye on the 2015 season as well.
The Wildcats 11-game 2015 schedule was announced Tuesday.
They will venture to California for the second time in
program history when they visit San Jose State on Sept. 3
at San Jose State - exactly 10 years to the day that they
beat UC Davis in the Golden State. Coach Sean McDonnells
team will play its first three games on the road, but
five of its last eight at home. The Willdcats will play
their final regular- season game in Cowell Stadiums 79-
year history against rival Maine for the Brice-Cowell
Musket on Nov.dddddddddddd 21. UNH is scheduled to play
in a new renovated complex in 2016. 2015 New Hampshire
Football Schedule Sept. 3, at San Jose State Sept. 12, at
Colgate Sept. 19, at Stony Brook* Sept. 26, Central
Connecticut State Oct. 3, Elon* (Homecoming) Oct. 17, at
William & Mary* Oct. 24, at Delaware* Oct. 31, Rhode
Island* Nov. 7, Richmond* Nov. 14, at Albany* Nov. 21,
Maine* * - CAA Football game
Wholesale
NFL T-shirts
Cheap
Jerseys Free Shipping
NFL Jerseys
Wholesale
China NFL
Gear
Wholesale
NFL Camo Jerseys
Cheap NFL
Hoodies
Camo China NFL
Jerseys ' ' '
|
Active Topics 
Memberlist 
Search 
Help
Register 
Login
U47.org Forum :: The Cadet School
Topic: be ready to support quiet veteran Joe
