Torii Hunter playing his first home game as a Minnesota Twin since 2007 will be a blast from the past, and the sellout crowd at Target Field is expected to erupt when Hunter is introduced for the first time before Monday’s Home Opener against the Royals.
But the crowd should be even louder when they hear the voice of Bob Casey introducing Hunter for his first at-bat.
Torii Hunter will be introduced by Bob Casey's voice before his first at-bat
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 13, 2015
Casey was 79 when he died of liver cancer and a bout with pneumonia just before the start of the 2005 season.
Hunter, according to the Pioneer Press, said he loved Casey’s voice and it “will be pretty cool” when he hears Casey’s distinct sound again.
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Here’s what Hunter said after learning of Casey’s death 10 years ago, according to TwinsBaseball.com.
“Every year, he made it his business to come say hi to me when I was on the minor league side. When I came to the Major League clubhouse, he came to say hi. He went out of his way. I’ve known him for so long and we developed a relationship. I know that he lived and breathed baseball and the people that are in it. He’s a great guy. I know people are going to miss him. He’ll be missed in this clubhouse definitely.”
Here’s a clip with Casey introducing Twins legend Kirby Puckett “as the greatest Minnesota Twin ever.”
Another blast from the past will be Kevin Garnett, with some help from Duke point guard and Apple Valley native Tyus Jones, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, which will be caught by Hunter.
