Torii Hunter retires after 19 seasons with Twins, Angels, Tigers

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - After 19 seasons, Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter is hanging up his cleats.

Hunter hit .240 with 22 home funs in 2015, but has decided not to continue playing after signing a one-year contract worth $10.5 million prior to the season.

While in good health at the end of the year, Hunter wanted to be a part of the everyday line up and had told Fox 9 Sports Director Jim Rich, he would walk away from the game before he would be a part time player. He also added that he wouldn't play for any team other than the Twins in 2016.

Reached for comment while on vacation in Hawaii, former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire who coached Hunter for seven years said, "He's gonna be a Hall of Famer for the Minnesota Twins."

Starting his major league career with the Twins in 1997, Hunter was a integral part of the teams division titles during the first part of the 2000s.

Hunter retires a five-time All-Star and a nine-time Gold Glove winner.