'It means a lot': Hunter rejoins Angels as special assistant

ANAHEIM -- Former Angels outfielder and fan favorite Torii Hunter is rejoining the organization as a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian, the club announced Saturday.

Hunter, who played with the Angels from 2008-12 as part of a 19-year career that included nine Gold Glove Awards, two Silver Slugger Awards and five All-Star selections, also threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former teammate Mike Trout before Saturday’s game against the Red Sox. Hunter had previously been a special assistant with the Twins, whom he played with for 12 seasons, since 2016.

“It means a lot,” Hunter said. “This is a team that when I was in Minnesota and was a free agent, they adopted me and brought me in and treated me like a king here. So I’ve definitely got love for the fans and for the organization. And my son [Torii Jr.] played here for seven years in the organization. So to come back and give this wisdom, all the strikeouts that I made an adjustment on, I want to give the wisdom back to these guys.”

Hunter, 48, interviewed for the managerial position that went to Ron Washington in the offseason and called the experience an informative process. He said he’d be interested in managing in the Majors but wouldn’t otherwise look for a full-time position because of his business and family obligations in Dallas.

“It was a cool process. Perry came down and we just had a great conversation and I think he really sparked the fire to get back in the game in some way and in some fashion,” Hunter said. “Managing is definitely something that I'm seeing, it's definitely a prospect. Any other role might be a suspect. But I'm here no matter what. I'm here to give back for however long they let me.”

Washington was excited to hear that Hunter was joining the organization, expressing that he has a positive influence on younger players. Hunter mentored Trout early in his Angels career, as well as Aaron Hicks and Miguel Sanó during his time with the Twins in 2015.

“Any way you can describe a difference-maker, that’s Torii,” Washington said. “He really interacts with the guys. He always expresses his experiences. Those are the kind of people you want to have around, especially when you have a young group trying to find itself.”

Hunter joins Kurt Suzuki, Eddie Guardado and Chris Carpenter as special assistants to Minasian. Hunter was teammates with Guardado on the Twins from 1997-2003, as well as with Suzuki on the ’15 Twins.

Hunter said he plans to be available for whatever the Angels need and is willing to talk to players in the Majors and Minors. He said he’s looking forward to bringing back a winning culture to the Angels and that Washington was the perfect hire. Hunter played in the postseason eight times, including with the Angels in 2008 and ’09.

“Most of the time it’s between the two ears,” Hunter said. “If I can help them in marriage, in finances, in life and family and on the field, I'm here and available. Perry wanted the fire, he wanted the grit, he wanted something different and he brought me and Eddie here and I’m excited.