On July 9th, 2002, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin nine of the Nation's top professional baseball players walked onto the field at Miller Park as the starting lineup for the American League's team at Major League Baseball's 73rd All-Star Game.  Among them, in centerfield, was Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins.  The crowd's eyes were fixed on him because he is known to be a showstopper, but my eyes were fixed upon him because he is from Pine Bluff, AR, in the heart of my own district. 

In the first inning with two outs and nobody on base in a scoreless game, the crowd was aching for some action. Soon San Francisco's Barry Bonds stepped up to the plate.  Hunter took a few steps back. With a 3-0 count, Bonds lashed a fastball deep into center field. Hunter raced to the back wall, waited, and timed his jump perfectly to catch the ball well above the fence. The crowd erupted into applause. 

After the game Hunter said, “I grew up in Arkansas and the All-Star Game is one everybody got to watch on TV.  I just want to make the people of my hometown proud.  To make a catch against a Hall of Famer on national TV, this is one I'll always remember.'' 

Some might have been surprised by Torri Hunter's outstanding performance at the All Star game, but his teammates certainly were not.  Hunter's breakout performance in 2001 was one of the main reasons the Minnesota Twins battled for first place until the final weeks of the season.  A first-round draft pick in 1993, Hunter has been one of the better defensive center fielders in baseball for several seasons, but he became an offensive threat last season, hitting 27 home runs, 32 doubles, and knocking in 92 runs.  His defense in center field didn't suffer either; he was awarded his first Gold Glove Award during the 2001 season. 

Hunter's impressive career got its start in South Arkansas.  Hunter is a 1993 graduate of Pine Bluff High School where he played baseball, basketball, football and track.  He was named first team All-State his junior and senior seasons and played on the South squad in the 1992 Junior Olympics.  Hunter was selected to the High School National Team by USA Today, the All American Team by Baseball America, and was named Gatorade's Arkansas Player of the Year in 1993. 

Mr. Hunter is not only an amazing athlete, but an amazing husband, father and volunteer.  He and his wife, Katrina Hall Hunter, have one son, Torii Jr. Hunter who also designates his time and effort in support of Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  Through his inspiring career, and his selfless actions, Torii Hunter has indeed made the people of his hometown proud.