Article: Torii Hunter is Returning to the Twins

[Bark's Lounge]

Jokingly, or seriously? Either way, not professional.....if the new fieriness is about being a jerk to the media, yuck.

It was definitely serious. He said it multiple times and when the press conference ended he accused Berardino of ruining the press conference.

 

If Berardino wanted to get Hunter's goat he certainly did that and Torii's reaction was disappointing to say the least. Even I felt awkward and dirty.

 

I don't know if it was the right or wrong thing to do on Berardino's side (that's his job, I guess), but it was an epic fail on Hunter's part.

 

I regret watching that press conference - what a crappy way to start things off.

[Ben B]

Berardino is on the radio now. He said he asked about outfield defense and gay marriage because those are the two things fans were talking about the most in regards to the Hunter signing. 

 

This guy is a great beat writer, we're lucky to have him in our market. 

[SwainZag]

Berardino is on the radio now. He said he asked about outfield defense and gay marriage because those are the two things fans were talking about the most in regards to the Hunter signing.

 

This guy is a great beat writer, we're lucky to have him in our market.

As a Twins fan, I couldn't

care less about his view on gay marriage, regardless of what I think personally.

Edited December 3, 2014 by SwainZag

[Mike Sixel]

Other fans do, though, apparently. I wonder how Goin feels about Hunter calling his job stupid, basically.

[USAFChief]

Well, that wasn't the press conference anyone had in mind, I'll wager.

[Tuba]

I realize hindsight is 20/20, but if we had signed Torii two years ago instead of the Tigers, he'd be wrapping up his time here, having filled our outfield in a genuine time of need, and having already mentored Hicks/Arcia to whatever effect. Is that worth 2 years/26 million? Seems like a better value then our current 1/10.5 deal. I'm not saying mentoring is all Hicks/Arcia need, but I think there is a legit benefit and if that is what we are now paying for, couldn't we have spent the money two years ago and they'd have been magically mentored into professionals by now? 

[tobi0040]

Well. Our role model and professional is on a roll.

[jokin]

Well, that wasn't the press conference anyone had in mind, I'll wager.

 

Does the league have a 48-hour Lemon Law?

[Squirrel]

It was definitely serious. He said it multiple times and when the press conference ended he accused Berardino of ruining the press conference.

 

If Berardino wanted to get Hunter's goat he certainly did that and Torii's reaction was disappointing to say the least. Even I felt awkward and dirty.

 

I don't know if it was the right or wrong thing to do on Berardino's side (that's his job, I guess), but it was an epic fail on Hunter's part.

 

I regret watching that press conference - what a crappy way to start things off.

I didn't hear it but this gave me enough of an idea.  I think it was an epic fail on both parties.  Asking that at this particular press conference showed some pretty extreme poor judgment, imo.  And Torii's response, equally bad.  They both sunk to a low.

[jokin]

I didn't hear it but this gave me enough of an idea.  I think it was an epic fail on both parties.  Asking that at this particular press conference showed some pretty extreme poor judgment, imo.  And Torii's response, equally bad.  They both sunk to a low.

 

Well-stated.. There's a time and place for everything.  This wasn't that time or place.  Berardino compounded on the bad week he had in doing his job- his sources were proven wrong in multiple instances- so now he just shut himself off from multiple alternative sources- both players and team insiders.

Edited December 3, 2014 by jokin

[Mike Sixel]

When would it have been ok to ask about defense and his beliefs? The second press conference, the third?

[JB_Iowa]

Torii was already p*ssed over the defensive metrics question.

 

Imagine that, a reporter actually asking questions,

[TheLeviathan]

Torii was already p*ssed over the defensive metrics question.

 

Imagine that, a reporter actually asking questions,

 

I think it's fair to criticize the gay marriage question, that could be left to a later time.  (Plenty of time for filler stuff before Spring Training)

 

But the defense question is fair game and Torii's response was ridiculous.

[jokin]

I think it's fair to criticize the gay marriage question, that could be left to a later time.  (Plenty of time for filler stuff before Spring Training)

 

But the defense question is fair game and Torii's response was ridiculous.

 

When would it have been ok to ask about defense and his beliefs? The second press conference, the third?

 

Yep.  Questions about baseball at an introductory press conference-  All. Good.  There's only one press conference when you're introduced.  As Chitown stated, for the non-baseball stuff, there's plenty of time left between now and season-end for letting Torii be Torii.

Edited December 3, 2014 by jokin

[Bark's Lounge]

I didn't hear it but this gave me enough of an idea.  I think it was an epic fail on both parties.  Asking that at this particular press conference showed some pretty extreme poor judgment, imo.  And Torii's response, equally bad.  They both sunk to a low.

Agreed. I am not a fan of watching train wrecks and this definitely would be classified a train wreck.

 

I wish I had the ability to explain the look Terry Ryan had on his face when the press conference concluded. It looked like he had the worst case of constipation in the history of mankind and it looked like his face was shriveling up while his cranium was about to explode. That is the best I can do, you should watch it.

[Monkeypaws]

Okay, some of you take your baseball and the Twins WAAAYYY to seriously IMHO. Torii chose to come back to the Twins. Reportedly he left money and/or years on the table, to come back to the Twins, losers of 90 games a season since forever.

 

Yeah he's older, not even good a fielder any more, probably won't hit as well, I don't care, and I don't care about the Pohlad fortune; they can afford it.

 

What has had me smiling all day is a great Twin chose to come back here and try to help rebuild the specialness of a team that had it in spades back in the day, that "played the game the right way." Souhan's story about Puckett opening his wallet to a young Hunter, that's what has been missing, real star-power AND personality that can influence young guys to work harder and have fun too.

 

No way are the Twins worse off having this guy back in the fold. 

 

Somewhat off-topic, but the Edmonton Oilers are proof you can have all the glorious prospects in the world, but without the proper mentorship, they founder.

 

I am hoping Hicks and Arcia will be the first beneficiaries of this, then Buxton. 

 

I think of it as an add to the coaching staff as well.

 

Anyhoo, baseball is a pleasure and pastime, and getting back one of my favorite Twins ever is more a cause of celebration than despair. 

 

Please take this as it is intended, but there is an emotional side to the game that gets lost in stats and advanced stats and uber-advanced stats. Feel good stories should be enjoyed even if the numbers don't add up.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Monkeypaws

[ashbury]

Well, that wasn't the press conference anyone had in mind, I'll wager.

http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/allergicpagan/files/2014/02/obi-wan.jpg

[davidc3915]

Darnit I watched the press conference and it worked. Torii was funny, charming, and entertaining. Everything they wanted to happen. I really hope it works. I'm trying to be Mr Optimistic

[jokin]

Agreed. I am not a fan of watching train wrecks and this definitely would be classified a train wreck.

 

I wish I had the ability to explain the look Terry Ryan had on his face when the press conference concluded. It looked like he had the worst case of constipation in the history of mankind and it looked like his face was shriveling up while his cranium was about to explode. That is the best I can do, you should watch it.

 

I remember that same look when Nolasco was signed...  

[ashbury]

I think Torii's reaction to Berardino is a reflection on just how soft the TC media has been.  

I was as much bothered by his side comment to him, "I don't even know you".  Like there is a level of privilege or entitlement in his dealings with the public and the media.

[tobi0040]

Dumb question or not, the veteran guy should be used to them and have acted more professionally.

[JB_Iowa]

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/12/03/twinsights-torii-katrina-hunter-discuss-impact-political-backlash-job-search/

[jokin]

I was as much bothered by his side comment to him, "I don't even know you".  Like there is a level of privilege or entitlement in his dealings with the public and the media.

 

Dumb question or not, the veteran guy should be used to them and have acted more professionally.

 

Let's not pretend that established relationships between the media and the players aren't an important part of the process.  Today was not the day for the off-the-field, confrontational questions.  Hunter didn't handle it very adroitly, but I would be interested if he got any questions like this at his introductory press conferences in either LA or Detroit.

[jokin]

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/12/03/twinsights-torii-katrina-hunter-discuss-impact-political-backlash-job-search/

 

Citing Deadspin as a credible "national media outlet" as his excuse for asking the question?  This is the gotcha group that "bought" a HOF vote from Dan LeBatard, and just beclowned themselves by breathlessly reporting the "scoop" that the Senator-elect from Colorado had never played varsity football in high school.  Their single "source" was a confused old man who immediately denied the story.  And all Deadspin would have had to do to verify the story was to crack a yearbook.  

 

Bad timing decision by Berardino, bad source to use for justifying his reportage.

Edited December 4, 2014 by jokin

[ashbury]

Let's not pretend that established relationships between the media and the players aren't an important part of the process. 

I didn't think my comment which you quoted suggested that; indeed that was at the heart of it.  The relationship goes both ways, and Torii made the mistake of exposing the presumption of entitlement that we know is there but is foolish for a player to state.

 

You and I agree that Hunter didn't handle it very adroitly.  Exactly where he went astray is more for his PR guy to explain to him anyway.

[jokin]

I didn't think my comment which you quoted suggested that; indeed that was at the heart of it.  The relationship goes both ways, and Torii made the mistake of exposing the presumption of entitlement that we know is there but is foolish for a player to state.

 

You and I agree that Hunter didn't handle it very adroitly. 

 

As I said, I'm wondering if he was asked that inappropriate question in LA or Detroit in the same circumstance.  It looks like he got a "gotcha" question when he least expected it, and reacted poorly.  It happens.

[ashbury]

As I said, I'm wondering if he was asked that inappropriate question in LA or Detroit in the same circumstance.

Bad hops can happen on any field.

[jokin]

Bad hops can happen on any field.

 

And Berardino is hearing about his own faux pas on social media.

[PseudoSABR]

Heh. Torii has an attitude? Who knew? That's probably why the Twins brought him in.

[D. Hocking]

I taught my wife-to-be how to drive a manual transmission.  If the relationship could survive that, I figured, she was probably a keeper.

This was either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish.