The Minnesota Twins confirmed Monday night that Torii Hunter will retire after 19 major league seasons. He told the Star Tribune he began the year believing this would be his last in baseball, and he wants to focus on his family, with two of his sons playing college football.
Hunter posted a collage of photos on Instagram in an announcement of his retirement.
“My family and I feel as though the time has come to close the door on this chapter in my life. I’ve been married to the game for many years and now it is time to start a new chapter,” the caption on the photo read. “I have learned a lot during this journey, and I appreciate the opportunity that God has given me to play this great game. Some will say that I am retiring from baseball; but I will say that I am transitioning, because BASEBALL will be a part of my life forever.”
In 2,372 career games, Hunter hit .277 with 353 homers and 1,391 RBIs for Minnesota, the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers. The five-time All Star and nine-time Golden Glove winner played in one AL Championship Series with each team. After being drafted in the first round by the Twins as an 18-year-old out of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Hunter finished with his original team at age 40.
Information from Espn.com and Instagram.com contributed to this report.
