All’s well that ends well
Any time you go crashing into a wall, like I did on Wednesday in Tempe, there’s a certain risk involved. It goes with the turf, you might say. I’ve run into a lot of walls in my career going after balls, and I won’t stop now. That’s how I play the game — all-out. I don’t think I can play it any other way.
MIke Scioscia likes to say that playing hard actually helps you avoid injuries, that it’s when you’re holding back, not playing the game naturally, that you’re more likely to get hurt. There’s definitely some truth in that. When I’m on the field and there’s a ball to go get, I’m going after it, whether it’s March or October.
Anyway, I’m fine. The X-ray showed no damage. So I’m good to go. I’m going to play against the Indians today. If it’s not something with my body — my arm, shoulder, legs — I’m OK. I took a little shot in the face with the ball when I hit the wall, but my nose looks good as ever now. The collision might have looked a little worse than it was. I’ve gone head-first into walls before and gotten concussions.
I’m old school, man. It takes a lot to get me to come out of a game. I was able to walk off the field, so I knew I was all right. As long as it’s not a knee or a shoulder, something like that, I’m good to go.
The way I play goes back to my younger days when I played football. I could throw the ball and move around, so I took some hits. Arkansas, where I grew up, is football country, and they don’t mess around down in Southeastern Conference country. We get after it. So my body was conditioned from an early age to take hits and bounce back up, ready to go.
I wish I could have stayed in that game and enjoyed the fireworks our guys set off. We’ve been swinging the bats, man. I really like our offense, how deep it is. We’ve got so many guys who can hurt you. We might not have four guys hitting 30 to 40 homers, but we’re going to be banging line drives to the gaps and running those bases. It’s an exciting style to play, and I’m loving it.
I’ll get back with more shortly. Just wanted to let everyone know I’m fine. My profile hasn’t changed at all. I’m still the same Torii — and we’re going to keep Toriis Storiis rolling.
Torii's Storiis 
I’m glad Torii’s Storiis will keep rolling! It’s a great blog, thanks for all the stories and updates.
Paige
http://bestof162.mlblogs.com/
Torii,
Glad you are fine! Enjoy the day!
http://baseballintheattic.mlblogs.com/
I’m so glad you’re OK! I know something like that can scare the fans, so thanks for letting us know that you’re fine.
http://kaybee.mlblogs.com
Tori – Glad that you are okay! Next time – stop before the wall!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
You’re the man! I have a cousin that lives in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, that’s where you’re from, right? Pretty sweet stuff, keep up the good work, tell Chone Figgins his biggest fan says hey.
http://eatsleepmlb.mlblogs.com
You are the man, Torii! I heard you on the Jim Rome show this morning and I can’t believe you went back out there today after your “incident.” You are old school all the way, man!
Keep it up. Halo fans everywhere love you!
-Bill
Glad you’re okay! Watch out for those walls, they come up on you pretty quick!
Noni
So what’s worse…running into a “normal” padded wall, or running into one of those beams that hold up the baggy CF fence in the Metrodome?!
http://zkonedog.mlblogs.com/
seriously… tell Chone I love him. http://eatsleepmlb.mlblogs.com/
Glad you are ok Torii – We love that you are old school like that and I bet that back-to-back-to-back HR the next day felt AWESOME!
Torii,
Glad to hear that you are okay! It is always a pleasure watching you play– I love the way that you play the game. Playing the game naturally is what it’s all about 🙂
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
Torri, I love you. I’m ecstatic you’re okay, but I have to say one thing. You mentioned you go after balls whether it’s March or October. The first thing that came into my mind was Game 3 of the ALDS at Fenway last year. I know you know what I’m talking about, but for anybody who doesn’t, relive it here – http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Torii-Hunter-and-Howie-Kendrick-s-brilliant-sc?urn=mlb,112797.
The Jacoby Ellsbury pop up turned three run double.
I love you man. I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but I had to point this out.
Here’s to next October!
HI TORII,
THANKS SO MUCH FOR PUTTING EVERYTHING YOU’VE GOT INTO THE GAME. sO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR ACCIDENT, BUT GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE OKAY. YES, WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THE START OF THE SEASON. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
CV