MLB Insider: Time keeps on ticking; so does Torii Hunter

Since Torii Hunter arrived in the major leagues in 1999, only three players have logged more games than he has, and two of them have been in the news this past week: Derek Jeter and Paul Konerko.

The upshot? Torii's coming for you, Adrian Beltre.

It's a remarkable statistic, basically meaning that once Jeter and Konerko retire on Sunday, the Detroit Tigers outfielder will be one of the true old men of the game, behind only Beltre and the suspended Alex Rodriguez for most games played by an active player.

"I don't feel old," the 39-year-old Hunter said with his trademark smile. "That's the important thing."

Perhaps more amazing for Twins fans is this number: 999. That's how many regular- season games, as of Sunday, he has played in a uniform that didn't say "Twins" on it. It doesn't seem that long ago he was scaling the tarp walls of the Metrodome to steal home runs, but the numbers say otherwise.

In fact, Hunter's career is even more amazing in the context of his peers. A total of 42 former Twins appeared in major league games for other teams in 2014, and only Justin Morneau (1,278) played in more games in Minnesota than Hunter's 1,234. Yet only catcher A.J. Pierzynski, among those 42, has played more games than Hunter for other teams since leaving the Twins.

Now that's durable. But Hunter, who notched his 13th season with more than 135 games played this year, said he was playing hurt for much of the first two months this year, a residual effect of his head-over-heels tumble into the Fenway Park bullpen while trying to catch ex-Twins teammate David Ortiz's grand slam during last year's ALCS, an image that became iconic in Boston. "Man, I was sore for months," Hunter said.

Seems like the Tigers might agree. "Torii has been extremely impressive for any player, never mind a player his age," first-year Detroit manager Brad Ausmus told reporters Tuesday. "There was a point in the middle of the season where in my mind, it crept in that maybe age was catching up to him. Man, he proved me wrong, he really did."

Hunter seems amused at the notion that his production is hard to believe — after all, his 2014 season is basically identical to most of those that came before it. His numbers through Friday: a .288 average, 17 homers, 82 RBI. His normal numbers in nine seasons with the Twins: .271, 21 homers, 79 RBI.

That he can keep doing it at his age is what makes that production unusual, and he's beginning to get into some rarefied company now. Since 1930, only 14 players have patrolled the outfield more than 100 times after their 39th birthday, but Hunter appears destined to add his name to that list; he will end this season with 64 already.

"I take care of myself, so I've still got most of my athletic ability at my age," Hunter said. "It's not an accident."

The MVPs from each AL Central team (statistics through Friday):

Victor Martinez rewrote the expectations for an aging slugger by having his best season at age 35. He led the league with a .978 OPS and was second in batting at .336.

Kansas City

Alex Gordon's numbers — .265, 19 homers, 74 RBI — aren't spectacular, but his play in the outfield gave him added value. Kansas City earned its first playoff spot in 29 years largely on pitching, but Gordon was the cornerstone of baseball's best defense.

Cleveland

The toughest call, considering Corey Kluber might become the Indians' third Cy Young Award winner in eight years, but Michael Brantley has blossomed into one of the best all-around players in the AL.

Some evaluations judge lefthander Chris Sale higher, but 27-year-old Cuban Jose Abreu was a rookie sensation, bashing 35 homers while hitting .314.

Ex-Twins in MLB (statistics through Friday)

Scott Baker, Texas: Two years past Tommy John elbow surgery, got seven starts but his 5.52 ERA is a bad sign.

Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay: Now 36 and no longer a closer, 41 walks in 61⅓ innings put his career in doubt.

Joe Beimel, Seattle: Back in the big leagues after three years, lefty specialist had a big year with a 2.22 ERA.

Drew Butera, L.A. Dodgers: Batting .183 at age 30 (he's never been above .200), but Dodgers still loves his defense.

Alexi Casilla, Baltimore: After playing 62 games with the Orioles in 2003, he made his season debut Saturday, starting at third.

Kevin Correia, L.A. Dodgers: Hasn't gone well since trade: 28 runs in 24⅔ innings, he's now relegated to mop-up duty.

Michael Cuddyer, Colorado: 2013 NL batting champion hitting .333, but season was ruined by shoulder, hamstring injuries.

Samuel Deduno, Houston: Why did the Astros claim him? Righthander has pitched less than five innings in a month.

Ryan Doumit, Atlanta: Twins dumped his contract just in time: .201, five HR, .564 OPS, still earned $3.5 million.

Sam Fuld, Oakland: Has batted only .209 since being traded back to Athletics, but pitchers rave about defense.

Matt Garza, Milwaukee: First year of $50 million a mild success: 3.64 ERA, but oblique injury meant absent in August.

Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee: One of top 20 NL players, basically matched 2013 season: 22 HR, 34 SB, great defense.

J.J. Hardy, Baltimore: Power's disappeared and he doesn't walk, but at 31, he's a leader for AL East champs.

Liam Hendriks, Kansas City: One run in seven innings vs. Twins in Royals debut was a highlight, but remains so-so in majors.

Pedro Hernandez, Colorado: Summoned from AAA for emergency start in July, pitched OK, but released two days later.

Torii Hunter, Detroit: Now 39, age has caught up, defense has waned, but still hitting .288 with 17 homers.

Garrett Jones, Miami: Played 140 games for fifth year in a row, but hard for a first baseman to keep job slugging .400.

Bobby Korecky, Toronto: With 22 saves at age 35, he was a Class AAA All-Star, and even got into two MLB games.

Kyle Lohse, Milwaukee: Now 14 years into MLB career, he remains a solid third/fourth starter, with fourth straight sub-4.00 ERA.

Jeff Manship, Philadelphia: Righthander pitched in 20 games, but 6.65 ERA meant he ended season in the minors.

Darin Mastroianni, Toronto: Good season in minors but batted 5-for-32 in two call-ups and was cut from the 40-man roster.

Kendrys Morales, Seattle: Seven homers since returning to Seattle, but he has batted only .214 and looks old.

Justin Morneau, Colorado: His best post-concussion season, batting .319 with 17 homers and is popular in Denver.

Joe Nathan, Detroit: No longer automatic at 39, saved 34 of 41 with 4.89 ERA; will he be the closer come postseason?

David Ortiz, Boston: On-base percentage has declined at 38, but power hasn't; his 35 HRs were tied for fourth-most in AL.

A.J. Pierzynski, St. Louis: Cut by Boston at midseason after disappointing, he landed job backing up Yadier Molina.

Alex Presley, Houston: With .249 average, half-dozen homers, decent defense, he's a prototypical extra outfielder.

Jason Pridie, Colorado: Strong season in Class AAA, went 0-for-4 in two-game call-up.

Wilson Ramos, Washington: Third consecutive injury-plagued year, he hit 11 homers while playing only half the games.

Ben Revere, Philadelphia: Hitting singles, stealing bases and catching flies are his only talents, but he's really good at them.

Rene Rivera, San Diego: Enjoying career-best season with .256 average, 11 HRs; throwing out 36 percent of base-stealers.

Kevin Slowey, Miami: Posted 5.30 ERA mostly out of the bullpen, was released in mid-June and didn't pitch again.

Denard Span, Washington: A brilliant second half: .341 average, .399 on-base; helped lead Nationals to NL East crown.

Josh Willingham, Kansas City: Hitting overall has improved since joining pennant race, but only two HRs in a month.

Vance Worley, Pittsburgh: Resurrected his career with amazing 8-4, 2.85 performance for a playoff team.