"I'd rather save a home run than hit one. I've always been like that. Defense is what I pride myself on."

"I go out every day and try to play great defense. I know my hitting will improve."

"In this sport you can't be afraid."

"Now you have kids that say, 'I wanna be Torii Hunter one day.' Man, I love that."

"They thought I couldn't hit, but look, I'm learning."

"To catch a ball, I'd commit suicide."

"When I see that little white ball go up, I want to catch it, no matter what. If I have to knock myself silly doing it, so be it."

"Every night it seems like he's jumping over the wall doing something, and everybody is just shaking their heads. It's amazing to watch." - Brian Buchanan

"Everyone looks up to him. He comes here the same person every day and you respect a person like that." - Eddie Guardado

"He's become a lot better student of the game. He studies pitchers better and looks at videotape. That's why he's been so successful. And that man comes to play every day." - Scott Ullger

"I call Torii the poor man's Sosa. As long as he keeps that smile on his face, he'll be just fine." - Rod Gardenhire

"I can't imagine anyone being better than Torii." - Doug Mientkiewicz

"The main thing is, he's here to work every day." - Scott Ullger

"Torii reminds me of myself. He can play defense like crazy." - Kirby Puckett

"You knew if he ever hit, he was going to be a star. Because of his charisma, his smile, his bounce and his humility." - Larry Corrigan

"You know that kid impresses everybody. Like a Superman, right there, comes out of nowhere and jumps like that and got the ball (hit by Barry Bonds in the 2002 All-Star Game). So now I know, he's the man!" - Sammy Sosa