USA Today's Bob Nightengale chatted with Torii Hunter about several interesting topics:

 

The two discussed the Josh Hamilton situation. Hunter is aware of what can happen because his father has fought and relapsed from drug issues for many, many years, including very recently.

 

The two discussed Hunter's decision to come back to Minnesota despite other good offers, from Texas and from Kansas City.

 

He also talked about what he might like to do following his playing career:

 

 

 

Hunter, you see, wants to be a GM one day. If he retires after this season, he hopes to work in the Twins' front office, learning under Ryan, while also working in TV.

"I really want to get into that front office, make some changes, and build a team that I want to build,'' Hunter says. "I'd love to learn everything from Terry. He'll be a mentor. One day, that's my goal, to be GM of the Twins.''

 

Very interesting stuff. 

I find it interesting that both Hunter and Perkins have their sights set on jobs in the front office.

 

Is this a first for the Twins if it happens? I know we've seen it elsewhere and frequently in other sports but I don't remember any Twins players joining the F.O. but I don't have a great knowledge of the history of the team.

Puckett was an executive vice president for a time after he retired, though I think the job was mostly ceremonial.

I'm sure it's happened elsewhere. I think it's great. I think it's fun having baseball people in baseball jobs. I do like that:

 

1.) Perkins has clearly thought about a role in which there currently isn't a job, but it makes a lot of sense. I can also see him in the PR group, if he wants.

 

2.) Hunter isn't saying that he should jump right into it. He'd want to learn under Ryan and under the rest of the Twins group to learn that business side of it.

 

Who knows what will come of it, but I enjoy hearing that guys are thinking like that. Listening to the Souhan Unfiltered with Torii, it's clear that he does a lot of research, a lot of thinking, and he is very smart and intrigued by his future. 

Dave Stewart of course is AZ's new GM and I still remember my mom giggling like a school girl when Billy Beane came up to bat, she thought he had such a silly name. Nolan Ryan was president of Baseball Operations.

Dave Stewart of course is AZ's new GM and I still remember my mom giggling like a school girl when Billy Beane came up to bat, she thought he had such a silly name. Nolan Ryan was president of Baseball Operations.

Pretty sure that's a different Billy Beane - not the A's GM.  Billy Beane the player is famous for coming out of the closet after he retired.

I want to be GM of the Twins too. Where do I sign up?

Pretty sure that's a different Billy Beane - not the A's GM.  Billy Beane the player is famous for coming out of the closet after he retired.

 

Pretty sure that nicksaviking was right. Billy Beane played a short while with the Twins and was as bad as he was in other teams. Thankfully, he was smart and has become a very good GM. Billy Bean was an OF with the Tigers who came out after his career. He now works for MLB.

I find it interesting that both Hunter and Perkins have their sights set on jobs in the front office.

 

Is this a first for the Twins if it happens? I know we've seen it elsewhere and frequently in other sports but I don't remember any Twins players joining the F.O. but I don't have a great knowledge of the history of the team.

 

Ossie Bluege was a 18 year vet for the Washington Senators, then became a manager for the Sens, then became their Farm Director (he found Harmon Killebrew). In 1958 became their Comptroller, moved with the franchise to the Twin Cities and stayed on  the job until 1971.

 

Not to take away the subject at hand, but he was a pretty interesting fella. http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/2ef7f0d6

 

On the Twins website they list "Special Assistants"  in the Administration heading. They include: Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek, Jack Morris, Tony Oliva, Bert Blyleven. But, Im guessing those names are more ceremonial than administrative.

I want to be GM of the Twins too. Where do I sign up?

. If you were, and after you hired me as your "Very Special Assistant in Charge of Stuff", what would be your next move? . (Please don't say firing "Your Very Special Assistant, etc).

I find it interesting that both Hunter and Perkins have their sights set on jobs in the front office.

 

Is this a first for the Twins if it happens? I know we've seen it elsewhere and frequently in other sports but I don't remember any Twins players joining the F.O. but I don't have a great knowledge of the history of the team.

 

The Teams' second owner (and uncle/adopted father of the third) was a player/manager (well they "player" part might be a stretch, he played but pitched 3 innings is 3 seasons, but technically counts) who bought the team and served as its owner & GM until his death.    In the olden days it was very common to move from the field to the bench to the Front Office.  Not in the majors, but only up to AA, due to injury, but the current Twins' GM was a pitcher in the Twins' organization.  

 

Have a look at the Twins' Front Office listing:  You will find Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek, Jack Morris, Tony Oliva, Bert Blyleven listed as part of the Front Office.

 

As far as high level FO positions of former Twins' MLB players, in addition to Beane, Randy Bush (assistant GM with the Cubs) has to make the list.

So not that rare.

Pretty sure that's a different Billy Beane - not the A's GM.  Billy Beane the player is famous for coming out of the closet after he retired.

Billy Beane, the As GM, was a 1st round pick of the Mets.  He was a guy with all the tools who people thought would be a superstar.  Like many hyped toolsy prospects, he never came close to living up to expectations.

Edited March 2, 201511 yr by jimmer

I want to be GM of the Twins too. Where do I sign up?

 

I might be too old for GM. Might place a call to the Vatican about that pope gig.

I loved this snippet from Nightengale's article btw (bold mine for emphasis) :

 

 

 

Hunter, whose ebullient personality has made him one of the most popular players in the game

 

ebullient
[ iˈbo͝olyənt, iˈbəlyənt ]
ADJECTIVE
archaic literary
(of liquid or matter) boiling or agitated as if boiling:
"misted and ebullient seas"

 

Spot on.

 

I want to be GM of the Twins too. Where do I sign up?

My favorite job rejection letter is as GM for the Chattonooga Lookouts. I still have it framed - you might as well give it a shot.

If Torii Hunter were the President of the Twins, the Winter Meltdown would have to be moved to a bigger location.

Pretty sure that nicksaviking was right. Billy Beane played a short while with the Twins and was as bad as he was in other teams. Thankfully, he was smart and has become a very good GM. Billy Bean was an OF with the Tigers who came out after his career. He now works for MLB.

Yep, you're right, I'm wrong.  Technically they were even teammates on the Tigers.  

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beanebi01.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beanbi01.shtml

As long as we're talking former Twins in the FO, I'd prefer this guy over Perkins or Torii. 

I'm looking forward to General Manager Torii Hunter taking a swing at Assistant General Manager Glen Perkins during the 2032 Draft.

Yes. They will be fighting over who should lead the team following the championship years of Latroy Hawkins. 

I'm looking forward to General Manager Torii Hunter taking a swing at Assistant General Manager Glen Perkins during the 2032 Draft.

And, like a lot of guys against Perk, missing?

And, like a lot of guys against Perk, missing?

Director of Scouting Nick Punto will be standing right behind Perk and he'll take the blow.

I'm looking forward to General Manager Torii Hunter taking a swing at Assistant General Manager Glen Perkins during the 2032 Draft.

 

Yeah, this would indicate we'll still be arguing over "old school" and "SABR" evaluations for a couple more decades.

Director of Gettin After It Nick Punto

FTFY