Twins Insider: Hunter's legacy of leadership, fun will linger for Twins

Torii Hunter has decided to hang up No. 48. Does that mean the postgame victory dance parties are over?

It shouldn't, but his departure creates the perception that a leadership and motivational void will return to the Twins clubhouse.

But if the Twins continue to improve, make the playoffs, make a run in the postseason and become a World Series threat, it will be at least partly because of the seeds Hunter planted in his one-season encore performance.

Hunter's retirement is a punch in the gut to Twins officials, who wanted the veteran to return because they felt he provided the kind of guidance the club lacked in recent years.

He was the mentor to several players in their formative stage of their careers. In conversations with multiple Twins officials after Hunter's decision was learned on Monday, club officials felt that Hunter's presence next season would be vital on a team looking to build on an 83-79 season. Their focus was on seeing if Hunter wanted to play another season more so than what they should do if he decides to move on.

Now, they face Plan B.

How do you replace Hunter? He batted .240 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI. That might not be too difficult, as Aaron Hicks, Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano all showed promise at the plate this season. Sano's development path might have him matching that production in four months of games.

Hunter is the man who coined phrases like, "We're into playing defense and breaking hearts," and "A hanging curveball is a gift from God." He danced. He laughed all the time. He said things that were controversial. He once tried to punch Justin Morneau when he felt the first baseman wasn't being a good teammate. With the Angels, he got mad at Albert Pujols. He remains friends with both of them. That's a lot of layers to one individual.

There might be no one in baseball like Hunter. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said late in the season that Hunter's absence from their clubhouse — he had spent the two previous seasons with Detroit — was one reason the Tigers struggled this year.

The Twins don't have to suffer the same fate as the Tigers, a team that had other flaws. Hunter's influence should continue to be felt next season and beyond.

Hicks now understands the importance of maintaining a work ethic, coming to the park with a plan and studying relievers.

Byron Buxton made strides with making adjustments after getting off to a rocky start to his career.

Those are just a few examples of how Hunter helped his teammates.

The only thing they can't cover — which Molitor is concerned about — is which player or players embrace the Alpha Dog role.

"Someone is going to be talking to themselves this winter and say, 'You know what? I can kind of be somebody who can step up take some of the leadership,' " Molitor said. "I'm hoping that what he did will help other people emerge."

The Twins don't need to clone Hunter. And former manager Tom Kelly believed leadership was based on that day's pitcher, anyway.

"Every year stands on its own," Molitor said. "You can't go back and try to recreate the same dance party vibe. But he was a big part of our personality, so we are going to have to try to find a way to fill that."

"Hold open dance tryouts and pick the best one," he said. "I'll be the judge."