Shooting for a ring — and a trip to D.C.
I’m known for having good timing, especially in center field, but it let me down for once when I got hurt and couldn’t go to St. Louis to play in the All-Star Game. That was terrible timing.
I was so excited when I was selected to the American League All-Star team. Unfortunately, my body just didn’t hold up for me after I ran into those walls at Dodger Stadium and San Francisco. I remember the day when it finally got to me, and I knew I was in trouble. It was after that game in Arizona on June 27 when I sat at my locker for the longest time, in a daze. I couldn’t move. My groin was killing me. That was the day it blew up on me. I tried to play on, but it never really was right after that.
There were several reasons why it was so disappointing not to be in St. Louis. First of all, I appreciated all the fans voting for me when I came in fourth in the balloting, just missing out on the starting lineup. And I really felt good when my fellow players put me on the team by giving me the second most votes of all the American League outfielders, behind Jason Bay. In fact, I got the fourth most votes of all the players in the league. That was tremendous, feeling all that respect from my peers.
As for the All-Star Game, the presence of Barack Obama, our first African-American President, made it something really special to me. He was in the clubhouse shaking everybody’s hand, and I was home with my family in Texas – not that there was anything wrong with that. It’s always good to have some time with the family. But I hated that I missed out on meeting Barack Obama.
When I was growing up in Arkansas, we’d be out messing around and you’d hear a kid say, “I want to grow up to be the President.” And we’d say, “Hey, you’re black. No way you’re going to be President. Are you out of your mind?”
Now here it is, happening in our lifetime. It’s an amazing thing to see. And I was supposed to be there in St. Louis, playing in front of the President and meeting him. But it didn’t happen.
I’m getting better with this adductor strain on my right side. What this does, as I recover, is make me want to get to the World Series and win it even more than ever, if that’s possible.
Now I have a double goal: win the World Series and go to the White House with my team and meet the President there. We could talk some hoops, maybe play “horse,” shoot around a little. I know basketball is his game, and I could play the game in my time.
To be there with my teammates, after winning a World Series, that would top meeting Barack Obama at the All-Star Game. That would be so cool, for all of us. So I’m looking at it as an added incentive to go out and win a World Series. That would be the best of both worlds. We win the World Series, and meet Barack Obama at the White House.
Hey, it can happen. We’ve got a ton of talent on this team. Watching how our offense came through without Vladimir Guerrero and me in the lineup, against the Yankees and in the first game after the break against the A’s, that’s impressive. We’ve got a lot of guys who can swing the bat, and if our pitching comes together the way it can . . . look out.
The Angels could rock all the way through October, to Washington, D.C. and the house of President Obama and the First Lady.
Torii's Storiis 
I was very sad to be unable to see you play at the All-Star game, you definitely deserved it. Get better Torii, keep up the good work!!
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for all your hard work on the field and in the community. You have no idea how glad us Angels fans are to have you. MLB truly needs more men like you. Keep it up and you’ll be seeing Obama quicker than you think. Win it for Adenhart, huh? GO ANGELS!!!
HAPPY BiRtHDAYY(:
HOPE YOU HAVE FUN WitH tHE FAMiLYYYY.
iM AM YOUR BiGGESttt FAN.
LiKE NO JOKKKE.
iF ONLY THERE WAS SOMEEE WAY YOUCAN SEE MY ROOM.
i CLAiM MYSELF AS tORii HUNtERS WiFEY
BUt KAtRiNA BEAt MEE tO tHE PUNCH!
itS LiKE NOT EVEN FUNNY
MY PARENtS tEASE ME EVERYDAY SAYiNG iM NOt EVER GOiNG tO MEEt YOU. BUt i StiLL BELiEVE WELL RUN iNtO EACHOtHER At tHE ANGELS STADiUM
AHHAHA
KAtRiNAS ONE LUCKY LAiDiiiE
BUT CONGRAtS ON MAKiNG it REALLY FAR iNtO tHE SEASON AS MY iNSPiRAtiON tOO BE WHAt i WANT tO BEE . it REALLY SUCKED NOT SEEiNG MY FAVORitE PLAYER STANDiNG BY FiGGiNS && FUENTES ON THE LiNE REPRESENTiNG MY TEAMM . .AFtER SUBMittiNG MORE tHAN HALF OF tHE VOtES YOU EARNED!(: . . . BUT YOU DiD GEt tO tAKE PiCTURES . i SAW THEMMM(: VERY NiCEEE . && NiCE SOCKS BY THE WAY.
i SAW THE GAME TODAY && YEAHHH . PiNK && BLUE TOE AND HEEL! AHAHA(:
HOPE YOU && tHE KiDS . . .&& KAtRiNA (: ARE DOiNG GREAT.
GOD BLESS YOU!
HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER
HAPPY BiRtHDAYY(:
HOPE YOU HAVE FUN WitH tHE FAMiLYYYY.
iM AM YOUR BiGGESttt FAN.
LiKE NO JOKKKE.
iF ONLY THERE WAS SOMEEE WAY YOUCAN SEE MY ROOM.
i CLAiM MYSELF AS tORii HUNtERS WiFEY
BUt KAtRiNA BEAt MEE tO tHE PUNCH!
itS LiKE NOT EVEN FUNNY
MY PARENtS tEASE ME EVERYDAY SAYiNG iM NOt EVER GOiNG tO MEEt YOU. BUt i StiLL BELiEVE WELL RUN iNtO EACHOtHER At tHE ANGELS STADiUM
AHHAHA
KAtRiNAS ONE LUCKY LAiDiiiE
BUT CONGRAtS ON MAKiNG it REALLY FAR iNtO tHE SEASON AS MY iNSPiRAtiON tOO BE WHAt i WANT tO BEE . it REALLY SUCKED NOT SEEiNG MY FAVORitE PLAYER STANDiNG BY FiGGiNS && FUENTES ON THE LiNE REPRESENTiNG MY TEAMM . .AFtER SUBMittiNG MORE tHAN HALF OF tHE VOtES YOU EARNED!(: . . . BUT YOU DiD GEt tO tAKE PiCTURES . i SAW THEMMM(: VERY NiCEEE . && NiCE SOCKS BY THE WAY.
i SAW THE GAME TODAY && YEAHHH . PiNK && BLUE TOE AND HEEL! AHAHA(:
HOPE YOU && tHE KiDS . . .&& KAtRiNA (: ARE DOiNG GREAT.
GOD BLESS YOU!
HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER
HAPPY BiRtHDAYY(:
HOPE YOU HAVE FUN WitH tHE FAMiLYYYY.
iM AM YOUR BiGGESttt FAN.
LiKE NO JOKKKE.
iF ONLY THERE WAS SOMEEE WAY YOUCAN SEE MY ROOM.
i CLAiM MYSELF AS tORii HUNtERS WiFEY
BUt KAtRiNA BEAt MEE tO tHE PUNCH!
itS LiKE NOT EVEN FUNNY
MY PARENtS tEASE ME EVERYDAY SAYiNG iM NOt EVER GOiNG tO MEEt YOU. BUt i StiLL BELiEVE WELL RUN iNtO EACHOtHER At tHE ANGELS STADiUM
AHHAHA
KAtRiNAS ONE LUCKY LAiDiiiE
BUT CONGRAtS ON MAKiNG it REALLY FAR iNtO tHE SEASON AS MY iNSPiRAtiON tOO BE WHAt i WANT tO BEE . it REALLY SUCKED NOT SEEiNG MY FAVORitE PLAYER STANDiNG BY FiGGiNS && FUENTES ON THE LiNE REPRESENTiNG MY TEAMM . .AFtER SUBMittiNG MORE tHAN HALF OF tHE VOtES YOU EARNED!(: . . . BUT YOU DiD GEt tO tAKE PiCTURES . i SAW THEMMM(: VERY NiCEEE . && NiCE SOCKS BY THE WAY.
i SAW THE GAME TODAY && YEAHHH . PiNK && BLUE TOE AND HEEL! AHAHA(:
HOPE YOU && tHE KiDS . . .&& KAtRiNA (: ARE DOiNG GREAT.
GOD BLESS YOU!
HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER
&& YOU WiLL GET YOUR ANGELS RiNGG(: && MEET OBAMA!
LOVE YOUR BiGGEST FAN
VALERiE GUZMAN
psss check out my myspaceee(:lol
http://www.myspace.com/angelsbabe951
Big Game Hunter,
Your contributions this season are the main reason that the Angels are currently in 1st place in the AL West. Offensively, you have sparked the team. Leading the team in RBIs, HRs, and OPS.. WOW! But the most amazing aspect of your game has been your defense (Wow, what a shock…) I watched you run into those walls in LA and SF, YOURE CRAZY MAN! Full speed, no let up. 100% effort every play…thats quintessential Big Game Hunter. Reading what you said about your aching body gives me even more respect for the great job you do. No one, NOT A SINGLE PLAYER in the MLB, plays as hard and tough, day in and day out, as Torii Hunter. Keep up the GREAT work and lets work on getting you that visit with President Obama. GO ANGELS!
It’s a bummer you weren’t at the All-Star game this year, Torii– you really deserved a start this year and I hope you get it next year.
And as a Twins fan, I was looking forward to seeing you at the All Star Game this year with Joe, Justin, Joe Nathan, Johan, & Jason Bartlett. Maybe next year . . . Heck, maybe you could be in the HR Derby with Justin and JoeMa– you never know.
If the Twins can’t make that post-World Series trip to the White House, I sure hope the Angels do.
I hope you feel better and are back in center field soon.
That stinks that you had to miss out on missing Mr. Obama. It would have proably been a great time.
-Dillon
http://dillonm.mlblogs.com
Mr Hunter,
i LOVE your positivity and drive man! I have complete faith in the team to get it done! Its about time don’t you think? 😀
Sorry you didn’t get to meet President Obama. Im sure you’ll get a chance too eventually.
Hey keep our guys loose out there while you’re nursing that adductor! The more smiles the merrier 😀
oh man it sucked u couldn’t be there to represent at the all star game… but winning the world series would not be a bad consolation prize at all!! it can be done… it WILL be done!! Believe in the Monkey! trust the monkey!
GOOO ANGELS!!!
-angie
DA HUNTER, I WAS REALLY SORRY NOT TO SEE YOU PLAY IN THE ALL-STAR BUT DON’T BROTHER BECAUSE YOU’LL BE PLAYIN’ IN THE WORLD SERIES AND THEN YOU’LL BE A WORLD CHAMPION. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND BE BACK SOON. YOU’RE TRULY A GREAT MAN ON THIS TEAM AND IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. PLEASE KEEP UP ALL THE WONDERFUL AND GREAT THINGS YOU DO FOR OUR ANGELS AND FOR SO CAL.
DA HUNTER, I FORGOT TO WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. SORRY BOUT THAT BROTHER. YOUR BIRTHDAY PRESENT WILL BE A BIG WORLD SERIES RING AND MEETING PRESIDENT OBAMA. WOW WHAT A GREAT BIRTHDAY PRESENT. ALITTLE LATE BUT WORTH THE WAIT
hey torii, get well soon man i hate seeing the lineup and not seeing you in there, i voted 3 days in a row for 2 hours each so you could make the starting squad in st.louis i think you deserved it more than even ichiro the way you have carried this team almost single handedly through tradgedy and all the injuries, and i think we got the ring this year because whenever i read about us winning the world series i get chills! GO ANGELS!!! oh and happy birthday!!!
I think all of your Fans were equally disappointed not to see you at the All Star game. You can say that your timing was WAY OFF. But, that is life, now you have a higher goal to attain. I think things always happen for a reason. I watch you before the home games and watch how your presents, your cheer leading, the way you gather all of your team on is so very important to the team effort. I wish you much health and a happy spirit. I will keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery. I can wait to see your smiles on the field. GO TORII…….GO ANGELS!!!
Yo whats up! This is Carter from Cleveland! See you soon man. Got a lot to fill you in on. Man I wanted to see you in the ASG so bad. You KNOW you got my vote! Peace!
Mr Hunter!
I have been an Angel Fan since game one of their history. I have seen a lot of classy ballplayers come and go.
You are one of the classiest if not the most!
Your drive for the game and for life is a standard that other players young and old strive for.
Yes, missing the AllStar game was a dissapointment. But Things Happen For A Reason!
We will find out that reason come October!
Continued Success in both your professional and personal life!
Tom
A Devoted Fan
WHAT UP MY ”HYENA”.. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY,THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR ”ANAHEIM” ANGELS ITS SUCH A BLESSING TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU ADDED TO THE GREAT PLAYERS WE HAVE NOW. I HOPE AND PRAY I WILL GET TO MEET YOU SOMEDAY..ALTHOUGH I DID YELL OUT TO YOU(WITH MY HUSBAND BY MY SIDE)AFTER THE JULY 5TH GAME (WE WON OF COURSE)AT THE BIG ”A” AS YOU WERE DRIVING OUT WE WERE STANDING AT THE GATE I SAID I LUV YOU TORII!!!AND FIGGY ALSO MADE MY DAY BY WAVING AT ME..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MY MAN AND GO ANGELS….SEE YOU IN THE WORLD SERIES..
Congratulations on the All-Star game. You deserve it.
I am an app developer for the IPhone and am coming out with a game called BEAT THE COOLER http://www.beatthecooler.com in 7-10 days. It is a tongue-in-cheek game where the fans get to beat the cooler just like the pros do…if they’re having a bad day. It’s addictive, fun, and very 3-D graphic, cutting edge cool.
I’ve included the promo video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb5TjCdiFr0
If you dig it, I’d like to send you a free copy of the game when it becomes available for distribution to the public, if you have an IPhone or IPod Touch.
Thanks,
Jeremy Bargiel
Torii,
I write a blog for the Angels and am a HUGE fan of yours. While my goal is for honesty mixed with some humor, but I can honestly say that you are one of the key guys who have the Halos in first place. I know the team as a whole has stepped up in ways I have never seen in the wake of yours, Vladdy’s, and Juan’s injuries, but without your strong and steady play all year long, they wouldn’t be in first. Whether it’s throwing yourself through a wall, advancing a running with a ground ball, or hitting the much needed homerun, you do what is needed and that Torii, is what being a true All Star and MVP is all about. Keep up the great work! If you can, check out my blog, I would greatly appreciate it! Get well soon!
http://mattwestmoreland.mlblogs.com/
I liked your comments today about the steroid use tainting the performances of players such as David Ortiz. But how can we trust you or any of the players who played in the past fifteen years? Manny Ramirez tested positive back then and continued to use. And likely the rest of them continue to this day! I’m disgusted with the bunch of you. ALL players who didn’t use should be the most vocal about this because they are lumped into the same boat with the users. So, why aren’t they outraged? Why aren’t they speaking up? Could it be that there simply aren’t any non-users? Signed, disgusted with baseball.
Torii,
I was disappointed not seeing you in the All-Star Game and very disappointed in what Madden did with Figgins and Fuentes. Very poor management.
I want to also so I highly respect you as a player. You make amazing plays in the field, clutch hitting, and seem to have a great sense of humor to keep the morale of the time high.
One thing I have noticed in your blogs is your frequent “cudos” to African-Americans, such as you said how disappointed you were not to meet the first African-American President. Would you be disappointed in not meeting any President? You’ve paid tribute to certain African-American players who have reached certain milestones. Shouldn’t any player be recognized for those milestones, no matter origin they are from?
I think when certain individuals go out of their way to point out accoplishments of “their race” it promotes racism, not oposes it. Again, I respect you as a player and even your antics, just not so much you the race card.
what does Hitler and OBUMMER have in common?. they both give great speeches.
and obummer is not black, he’s half white too.born in Kenya and will be the destruction of America .