Twins hit homer by bringing back Hunter

There's no question one of the best moves the Twins made in the offseason was their decision to bring back outfielder Torii Hunter on a one-year, $10.5 million contract.

The entire clubhouse and culture around the team has been changed with the addition of the Twins former All-Star and Gold Glove winner.

The morale and the chemistry on the team is so good that the Twins even are having the hero of the game do a dance in the clubhouse after every victory.

Hunter, 39, said this past week that after his two-year contract with the Tigers expired following last season, there were several teams looking to sign him.

"The Royals and Rangers actually got really close," Hunter said. "The Orioles and Mariners jumped in. There was definitely other teams involved, and with the Twins it just made sense.

"I saw a lot of athletic ability, a lot of talent, and just needed to get it out. I think these guys are starting to realize that they can win ballgames."

Hunter said one of the big tipping points in his decision to come back to the club was phone discussions he had with General Manager Terry Ryan.

''It made sense to come back and come back home where it all started for me and have a good chance to win.

"This is where my loyalty lies, is right here in Minneapolis. I always thought about it in the seven years I was gone and that hopefully one day I would be able to come back, and my dream has come true."

Well it has been a dream come true so far for the Twins as well.

Hunter talked about how he keeps his ability sharp in his 16th pro season.

"I go out there and just play the game, man," he said. "I'm in pretty good shape. It took me awhile to get in baseball shape, and I'm starting to get into shape now and playing good ball. I'm riding that bike, and hopefully the wheels don't fall off anytime soon."

"I feel good, my body feels great," he said. "Playing great right field right now. Last year, I didn't feel too good after flipping over that wall in Fenway Park in the playoffs. It took me maybe six or seven months to get my body back and my legs back. But I feel good."

Hunter, who turns 40 on July 18, was asked if he believes he can keep playing at a high level for a few more years.

"I could. It's my choice," he said. "It's my choice if I want to play a couple more years, and if I keep myself healthy and eat right and work out and do all those things I do already, I definitely think I'll be coming back to the Twins next year."

Ryan and Twins manager Paul Molitor both talked about the decision to bring Hunter in during the offseason.

"Heading into my tenure, we talked about things we might do throughout the winter, and a righthanded hitter, an outfielder, a veteran player were some of the criteria we were looking for," said Molitor, who was in the Twins lineup Aug. 22, 1997, when Hunter made his major league debut as a pinch runner. "We were fortunate that the guy that was out there had a tremendous history with our organization.

Ryan, for one, said he expected this kind of performance from Hunter.

"He has always been an athlete, and he has always had that competitive makeup and approach," Ryan said. "It doesn't surprise me what he's doing. He's just one of those guys that really takes care of himself, and it is showing.

"… I mean, he's exactly what we were looking for in a right fielder and a righthanded bat and a guy with leadership, and a guy that is not afraid to be a mentor to a lot of the young players. Everything we were hoping he'd provide, he has."

Is Hunter playing as well as he did in his early Twins years?

"I would say that is accurate, plus now he has all that experience," Ryan said. "It's not surprising. He's just one of those guys you like to have on your side."

• Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was asked what it's like to work with new teammate Mike Wallace, the former Steelers and Dolphins wide receiver. "He's a great addition to the team," Bridgewater said before adding: "I'll tell you what's even a better addition, is having Kyle Rudolph back healthy. He's like a whole new player on the team." The former Pro Bowl tight end has missed 15 games over the past two seasons because of injuries.

• Vikings first-round draft choice Trae Waynes reported late because of having classes to finish at Michigan State, but Zimmer indicated he was impressed with the cornerback's play so far. "He's obviously very talented. He's doing a good job," Zimmer said. "We're trying to teach him the nickel and corner. He's got work to do, like all young guys do. He shows flashes of really good stuff."