Torii Hunter: Insensitive Racist Or Justified Hot Shot?

Recent comments by Angels' outfielder Torii Hunter on trends in the racial makeup of Major League baseball players have sparked heated controversy. In USA TODAY's third installment of a roundtable discussion on improving baseball, Hunter bemoaned the decreasing number of African American players in the game, calling Latino players mistaken for African American "imposters." Hunter lamented the fact that scouts have begun to abstain from pursuing inner-city athletes with large, multi-million dollar contracts because "you can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips." Several members of the media and baseball community, including White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, reacted with disappointment, shock and offense. 

Hunter quickly defended his position, claiming that his comments were misinterpreted, and he "has a lot of Latin American friends." Aside from the fact that having Latin American friends isn't exactly a valid counterargument, the issue here is more about the crude presentation and delivery of Hunter's comments rather than a potential misunderstanding. What's more, Hunter refused to apologize and nonchalantly responded, "I don't care, I know where I stand, I do great things."

This is not the first time Hunter has reacted in such an indignant manner to commentary by the media. In a Sports Illustrated article on new metrics used to quantify defensive success last Spring, Hunter was aghast at the thought that he would be rated as anything but the best defensive outfielder. When asked where he ranked among defensive centerfielders, baffled, Hunter responded "You mean, where I rank with guys now, or in history?" In fact, "try to prod Hunter into naming another American League center fielder in his class defensively, and he just shakes his head" the magazine reports.

But according to the new stats based on metrics such as range and percentage of balls fielded in and out of one's zone, Hunter actually rates below several of his compatriots and appears to be steadily slowing down. Hunter's response? "If I've lost a step, I'm still better than the average person. When I need a walker, I'll go to right field and be the best right fielder in the game."

You almost have to admire the guy's blatant cockiness and "I don't give a f*ck" attitude. And in fairness, he backs it up on the field. But should this give him the liberty to make such brazen comments? The whole "you're a professional athlete and should be a good role model" argument is a little cliché, but it beats the "you're a professional athlete and can do and say whatever you want" attitude.