Hollywood Ending For Torii Hunter And Brother

Imagine gathering for your annual holiday season celebration with the family, and just before you sit down for dinner, your dad tells you to expect one more additional visitor this year: the brother you never knew you had!

Now even if your family was as dysfunctional as the Bundy’s, that would still be a shocker of epic proportions, especially during the holidays. But that’s exactly what happened to Torii Hunter and his family five years ago.

foxsportswest.com:  Hollywood Ending For Torii Hunter And Brother

Torii Hunter Project Sponsors Little League's Jamborees

--Little League’s Urban Initiative State Jamborees Begin with Event in Atlanta--

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – In an effort to give more children and more leagues the opportunity to participate in a tournament setting, Little League’s Urban Initiative will hold jamborees in four locations this summer.  Events will be held in Atlanta, Ga.; Houston; Chicago; and, Newark, N.J.

“Beginning in 2004, local leagues participating in the Little League Urban Initiative were invited to the annual Jamboree held on the Little League International complex,” Demiko Ervin, Director of the Little League Urban Initiative, said.  “Those events were successful and beneficial for the leagues involved.  The primary goals of taking the Jamboree to the state level are to increase the number of children from Urban Initiative Little Leagues that get to participate in a ‘tournament style’ event, and to better serve Urban Initiative leagues on a state-wide basis by giving local league members, coaches and players a greater chance to network and share ideas.”

The Little League Urban Initiative was established in 1999 to provide opportunities for communities in metropolitan areas to reap the benefits of having Little League in their neighborhoods.

The first Urban Initiative State Jamboree will take place in Atlanta, May 28-31.  There will be more than 150 players participating comprising 11 teams.  Belvedere Little League, based in Decatur, Ga., will serve as the host for the weekend-long event and activities.  All Jamboree games will be played at Shoal Creek Park in Decatur.  Urban Initiative leagues from the state of Georgia and South Carolina will compete in the Jamboree.

The state-based jamborees in the four locations this summer are sponsored by the Torii Hunter Project.  The all-star outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, founded the organization as part of a comprehensive, long-term effort to impact children in need in various parts of the United States.  Now in his 14th Major League season, Mr. Hunter’s project has four areas of focus related to children: sports, community, education, and wellness.

The Jamboree in Houston will take place June 3-5, with teams from across Texas participating.  Chicago’s Jamboree will welcome Urban Initiative Leagues from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana for an event scheduled for June 11-13.  The same weekend as the Jamboree in Chicago, a Jamboree in Newark, N.J. will take place with teams from across New Jersey and one team from Philadelphia expected to participate.

“The motivation behind extending the Jamboree concept to the state level was a matter of opportunity,” Mr. Ervin said.  “Bringing teams to South Williamsport, giving them a chance to play on the World Series fields, and exposing them to Little League’s history and origin are all great, but we want to take the next step.  The next step is recognizing those leagues that have embraced the Urban Initiative mission and allow them to show what a local league can do with the proper mix of resources, support and community involvement.”

The Jamborees in Chicago and Newark will feature a clinic for the participating players conducted by The Baseball Factory.

The four jamborees this summer will take the place of the annual Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree that Little League International hosted Memorial Day weekend.  During the six years the Jamboree was played at the Little League International complex in South Williamsport, Pa., teams from 66 different Urban Initiative leagues and more than 800 players participated.


The Little League Urban Initiative is now operating with more than 200 leagues in nearly 85 cities in the United States.  Through the 2009 Little League season, the Little League Urban Initiative has stimulated the participation of 3,901 teams and approximately 51,000 players.  The Urban Initiative has also participated in nearly thirty field renovation/development projects, including a current project in Richmond, Va.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.6 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.

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Angels Trade Matthews To Mets In Exchange For Stokes

This move may come as very little surprise to those who follow the Angels closely.  After his first season in Anaheim, Gary Matthews, Jr. and Mike Scioscia were like oil and water.  Their personalities didn't work well together, and they rarely viewed things the same way.  

But even beyond that dynamic, from a baseball standpoint there just wasn't enough room in the outfield or the lineup for Matthews.  It was something he noticed immediately after the signing of Torii Hunter, and that's why he's been open to trade scenarios for quite some time.  And who can blame him?  The guy wants to play and compete.

ANAHEIM, CA – The Angels Friday acquired right-handed pitcher Brian Stokes from the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. in an announcement by General Manager Tony Reagins.

Stokes, 30, comes to the Angels after making 64 relief appearances with the Mets in 2009 going 2-4 with a 3.97 ERA (70.1 IP – 31 ER).  New York purchased Stokes from Tampa Bay on November 28, 2007. In two seasons with the Mets, Stokes compiled a 3-4 record with a 3.82 ERA in 93 appearances, including one start.

The Montclair, CA native was originally signed by Tampa Bay as a non-drafted free agent in 1998.  He saw Major League time with the Rays in 2006 & 2007, combining for a 3-7 mark and a 6.46 ERA (86.1 IP – 62 ER) in 64 appearances (4 starts). In four seasons at the Major League level, Stokes has posted a 6-11 mark with one save and a 5.02 ERA in 157 appearances (5 starts).

Stokes graduated from Jurupa High School in Riverside, CA and attended Riverside Community College.

Matthews Jr. was signed by the Angels to a five-year contract on Nov. 22, 2006 and spent three seasons with the Halos.  In that span, he appeared in 369 games batting .249 (312/1255) with 30 home runs and 168 RBI.

www.angelsbaseball.com

Torii Hunter Wins 9th Straight Gold Glove

ANAHEIM, CA – Angels’ centerfielder Torii Hunter has been selected to the 2009 Rawlings Gold Glove Award® team, in an announcement made Tuesday by the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company. This marks the ninth consecutive Gold Glove honor for the three-time All-Star.

Hunter’s nine Gold Gloves as an American League outfielder rank tied (with Ichiro) for third all-time behind Ken Griffey Jr. (10) and Al Kaline (10).

Hunter, 34, is the fourth Angel outfielder to win consecutive Gold Gloves, joining Gary Pettis (1985-86), Devon White (1988-89) and Jim Edmonds (1997-98).

Hunter committed just one error in 115 games in centerfield (311 total chances). The miscue committed on Sept. 18th at Texas snapped a streak of 265 consecutive errorless games to end the longest active streak among MLB outfielders. The 11-year veteran has committed one error in 675 total chances over two seasons with the Halos.

The Angels have had a Rawlings Gold Glove Award® recipient in 20 of the last 24 seasons.

The Rawlings Gold Glove Award® acknowledges outstanding fielding achievement and is presented annually to 18 players, one from each position in both the American and National Leagues.

The award was introduced in 1957 and the winners are chosen by major league managers and coaches.

TORII HUNTER WINS 2009 BRANCH RICKEY AWARD

(DENVER, COLO) Torii Hunter, star centerfielder of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, has been named the winner of the 2009 Branch Rickey Award. Roland Thornton, president of the Rotary Club of Denver, made the announcement today at the Denver Athletic Club.

Hunter, 33, will be inducted as the 18th member of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame during a banquet on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Marriott City Center Hotel in downtown Denver.

Created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, the Branch Rickey Award honors individuals in baseball who contribute unselfishly to their communities and who are strong role models for young people. Each year, Major League Baseball teams nominate a player, coach or executive for this nationally acclaimed award. All of the nominees personify Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

Hunter was chosen by a National Selection Committee, comprised of 300 members of the sports media, past award winners, baseball executives and Rotary district governors. All 30 Major League teams submitted a nominee for the award.

Partnering with the Heart of a Champion Foundation and the Angels, Hunter created the “Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative” to provide college scholarships and character development to students in California, Arkansas, Nevada and Minnesota. He is particularly active with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, along with Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Derrek Lee of the Cubs. Last year, he helped fund construction of a youth softball field (Torii Hunter Field) in Placentia, CA. To honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, Hunter supports Major League Baseball’s “Breaking Barriers” program. He established the Torii Hunter Project, partnering with Little League Baseball’s Urban Initiative to help maintain and improve baseball diamonds in urban cities. He is also involved with Big Brothers and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Hunter was selected as the 2007 Marvin Miller Man-of-the-Year, given annually to the player whose on-field and off-field performances most inspires others to a higher level of achievement.

Last year, Hunter helped guide the Angels to their fourth division crown in five seasons in his first year with the club. He received his eighth consecutive Gold Glove after not committing an error in 137 games in center field (354 total chances). He has not committed an error since August 31, 2007. He has been voted to the American League All-Star Team twice. In 2002, Hunter was named by MLB.com as the Player-of-the-Year.

The late Branch Rickey, known to millions as “Mr. Baseball,” is credited with breaking the color barrier in the Major Leagues in 1945 when he signed Jackie Robinson, the first modern day African-American player. He also hired the first Hispanic player, Roberto Clemente.

Rickey helped develop the farm system in baseball and stimulated the sport’s expansion into more cities. Always an advocate for underprivileged children, he spearheaded the development of the famous “Knot Hole Gang,” to allow kids to attend big league games.

Previous recipients of the Branch Rickey Award include: Dave Winfield, Toronto Blue Jays; Kirby Puckett, Minnesota Twins; Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals; Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres; Brett Butler, Los Angeles Dodgers; Craig Biggio, Houston Astros; Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins; Al Leiter, New York Mets; Todd Stottlemyre, Arizona Diamondbacks; Curt Schilling, Arizona Diamondbacks; Bobby Valentine, New York Mets; Roland Hemond, Chicago White Sox; Jamie Moyer, Seattle Mariners; Tommy Lasorda, Los Angeles Dodgers; John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves; and last year’s winner, Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres.

Winfield, Puckett, Smith, Molitor, Gwynn and Lasorda, as well as Branch Rickey, have also been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Branch Rickey Award is a 24-inch bronze sculpture, The Player, created by internationally prominent sculptor George Lundeen. A 13-foot tall bronze sculpture was dedicated in front of Coors Field at 20th and Blake on June 2, 2005 in celebration of Rotary International’s Centennial Year.

Tickets for the Branch Rickey Award banquet are $200 per person and may be reserved by calling the Rotary Club of Denver office at 303-893-1919. For more information about the Branch Rickey Award, visit www.branchrickeyaward.org.

Torii Hunter Donation Keeping Compton Baseball League Alive

You've probably heard someone in the media, at one time or another, describe a certain professional athlete as "one of the good guys." Meaning that this particular player not only plays hard all the time, but he has a great personality to go along with it.

And if there was anyone who fits that description perfectly, it's Angels outfielder Torii Hunter.

I had heard nothing but good things about Hunter before he signed with the Angels prior to the 2008 season. Once I met him, I realized I had been short-changed. He was even better than advertised.

Hunter not only understands what it means to be a professional athlete and all the responsibilities that come with it, but he's just cool. Even if he didn't make millions of dollars playing baseball, you get the sense that he would still be someone you would like to hang out with.

But Hunter really earns my respect with his off-the-field perspective. He came from humble beginnings in Arkansas. His family definitely had more than its fair share of dysfunction, but instead of using that as an excuse in his own life, Hunter uses it as motivation to prevent further dysfunction in the lives of others, especially children.

Hunter's latest example of his kindness and awareness comes in the form of a $10,000 donation to a Compton baseball league.

In an area long infested with drug-related violence and gang warfare, Hunter is hoping baseball can not only be an occasional escape for neighborhood kids, but quite possibly an eventual way out.

"If you have baseball in the area and kids start against each other, maybe they'll grow up together," Hunter said. "Sports can really bring people together."

Torii Hunter Wins 8th Straight Gold Glove

ANAHEIM, CA – Angels’ centerfielder Torii Hunter has been selected to the 2008 Rawlings Gold Glove Award® team, in an announcement made Thursday by the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company. This marks the eighth consecutive Gold Glove honor for the two-time All-Star. Hunter’s eight Gold Gloves as an outfielder rank tied for third all-time behind Ken Griffey Jr. (10) and Al Kaline (10).

Hunter, 33, is the second consecutive Angel to receive a Gold Glove after shortstop Orlando Cabrera in 2007 and the first Angel outfielder honored since Darin Erstad in 2002.

Hunter did not commit an error in 137 games in centerfield (354 total chances) to lead all MLB outfielders. The 10-year veteran has not committed an error since August 31, 2007, a span of 164 games.

The Angels have had a Rawlings Gold Glove Award® recipient in 19 of the last 23 seasons.

The Rawlings Gold Glove Award® acknowledges outstanding fielding achievement and is presented annually to 18 players, one from each position in both the American and National Leagues. The award was introduced in 1957 and the winners are chosen by major league managers and coaches.

Angels/Red Sox Notes--Game 4

Los Angeles Angels at Boston

* The Angels’ victory on Sunday snapped an 11-game playoff losing streak to the Red Sox, dating to Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS. It also broke a nine-game postseason winning streak for Boston that dated to Game 5 of last year’s ALDS versus Cleveland.

* Teams trailing two games to one are 16-18 in Game 4 of Divisional Series all-time, and have a 9-25 series record.

* The Red Sox’ loss on Sunday was their first in a potential series-winning game since losing to the Yankees in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Boston had won six in a row when playing a potential series-winning game.

* John Lackey has lost his last three playoff starts, permitting a .304 batting average while compiling a 5.60 ERA. The Angels have lost Lackey’s last four postseason starts, after winning three of his first four. Including the playoffs, Lackey is 3-8 in his career versus Boston.

* Jon Lester allowed no earned runs over 7.0 innings while winning Game 1 last Wednesday. Including that victory, Lester is 11-0 with a 1.91 at Fenway Park since April 29. The Red Sox have won all 14 of his starts over that span.

* After batting just .183 (11-for-60) in his first 16 career playoff games, Vladimir Guerrero is hitting .583 (7-for-12) in this series. His average is .438 since the beginning of September.

* Mark Teixeira and Torii Hunter have joined Fred Lynn (1982) as the only players to collect at least two hits in each of their first three postseason games with the Angels.

* Over his last five postseason games (since Game 3 of the 2007 World Series), Jacoby Ellsbury has hit .522 (12-for-23) with seven doubles and seven RBI.