Torii Hunter #48

Quick Facts:
Born: July 18, 1975 in Pine Bluff, AR
Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2008-Present), Minnesota Twins (1997-2007)
Position: Centerfield
MLB Tenure: 13 seasons
2009 Salary: $18 million
2009 Statistics: .311 Batting Average, .380 OBP, 85 RBI, 22 HR
Other: Gold Glove Award Winner for 8 consecutive seasons, 3-time All-Star
Charitable Work: Torii Hunter Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Prostate Cancer Foundation, and more

A quick Youtube search of Torii Hunter will pull up videos of Hunter's spectacular defensive plays, his rally-igniting home runs, and various interviews, behind-the-scenes specials, and commercials highlighting Hunter's charismatic personality. Hunter always displays his exceptional abilities on the field, but he also does exceptional work in the community.

The Torii Hunter Project, named for its founder, is "a comprehensive, long-term effort to impact youth in need in various parts of the United States." The program supports a variety of causes, but has a focus on sports, community, education, and wellness. The Project is teamed with the Heart of a Champion Foundation (a non-profit organization aimed at youth character development) to benefit middle school students. Another part of the Project is "Hunter's Hundred," which will provide 100 college scholarships to students from Anaheim, Pine Bluff, and Las Vegas over the next four years. Through the Project, Hunter has also teamed with Little League Baseball's Urban Initiative to help maintain and improve baseball fields in inner cities. In November, Hunter will hold a Celebrity Golf Classic to raise money for the Project.

Hunter has helped other programs and projects in addition to his own. In 2008, he helped fund the construction of the "Torii Hunter Field" in Placentia, CA for youth softball, especially for the Boys and Girls Club and the R.B.I. (Reviving Baseball in Innercities) League. He was also the Angels' representative for the Prostate Cancer Foundation's MLB Home Run Challenge. The list goes on and on...

Hunter has been a Gold Glove winner for eight consecutive seasons for his outstanding play in centerfield, but he has also received recognition for his work in the community. These include the 2007 Marvin Miller Man of the Year award (given to "the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement"), the 2009 Branch Rickey Award (honoring "individuals in baseball who contribute to their communities and are strong role models for young people"), and two Roberto Clemente Award nominations (for the MLB player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team").

Here's what Hunter himself says: "Everything I do comes from having certain values instilled in me by my mother and grandmother. They always taught me to treat others the way I want to be treated, and that's something I've always done. I've been blessed to be able to help others not as fortunate, not just in baseball but in life. I'll be doing this until I die. It's something I feel strongly about... I get a lot of pleasure out of helping people through The Torii Hunter Project and in other ways. I'd like to see more players do a lot more as far as helping out the community, whatever they can... My message to everyone is what my mother and grandmother instilled in me: Always treat people like you want to be treated, and you can never go wrong. That great feeling you get after helping somebody is a feeling you want for the rest of your life. These are great awards, and I'm truly honored to be considered for them - for what I do on the field and off the field."

Here's a taste of Torii's personality:



For more information or to donate:

Torii Hunter Project
Torii Hunter's Blog
Torii Hunter's Golf Classic
Player Info

Photos from:
http://www.toriihunterproject.com/images/hunter-head-shot.png
http://media.cnbc.com/i/CNBC/Sections/CNBC_TV/CNBC_US/Shows/_Documentaries_Specials/Newbos/Slideshow/NEWBOS_Slide04_Hunter.jpg

Purpose

In the recent economic downturn, it’s not uncommon to hear words such as layoffs, unemployment, furlough, etc. But there are a handful of people who aren’t badly affected (if affected at all) by the dismal economy, most notably professional athletes. The average American household income is around $50,000, whereas the average salary of a Major League Baseball player reached $3.24 million in 2009. Granted, professional athletes constitute a small portion of the population, but is it fair that one person gets paid millions of dollars to play a game while thousands of people struggle to make ends meet? These elite athletes deserve to be recognized for their talent and ability, but their yearly salaries reach ridiculous amounts. However, many players give their money, time, and effort and use their star power to make a difference in their community. This blog will spotlight players who go the extra mile to give back.