Former Angels Legend Would Like to Get Into Coaching at Some Point
Former Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter has an interest in getting into coaching in the future. Hunter, who played for the Angels from 2008-12 as part of his 18-year MLB career, would like to return to baseball in a coaching position.
However, Hunter will not be able to pursue this interest quite yet. For now, he remains focused on running five restaurants, two coffee shops and a real estate company, while also spending time with his family.
“I gotta keep baseball on the back-burner for now. Full time? Not ready to do that. It could happen some day. We’ll see.”
— Torii Hunter, via
Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.
Angels manager Ron Washington believes Hunter could be a great coach and potential manager if and when he decides to make the jump. Washington offered tremendous praise for Hunter and the kind of coach he could see him being.
“A tremendous leader because there’s nothing in the game he hasn’t experienced. If you know Torii, he knows the game. He knows what it takes to be a champion. He knows what it takes to be a star. He knows what it takes. And he does a good job of relaying that to the guys. I’m walking around listening to him talk to the guys, he does a good job of doing that ... He would be a tremendous manager once he worked his way through the coaching ranks.”
— Ron Washington, via
Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.
During his playing career, Hunter was a five-time All-Star. He also won both offensive and defensive honors, becoming a nine-time Gold Glove winner and a six-time Silver Slugger. He earned two All-Star appearances, two Gold Glove awards and one Silver Slugger while with the Angels.
With all of his experience and success both as a player and in business, it's not a longshot that Hunter could transfer his skillset to becoming a good coach or manager one day.
I'm sure Angel fans would love to see him with the Halos in some capacity.