Torii Hunter’s introductory press conference took a turn for the worse.
Hunter, who signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Minnesota Twins, was asked Wednesday about his support of political candidates who oppose gay marriage. The outfielder deflected the questions but subsequently referred to the inquiring reporter as a “prick.”
“You got some people who are just messy, you know? So, no. It is something I don’t like to talk about. But Republican Party, Democratic Party, separated, divided we fall. Simple as that,” Hunter initially said when pressed on the issue. “We just go with the best person that’s good for the situation. And I’m from Arkansas and I know what’s that, that’s all. This has nothing to do with being a Democrat or a Republican, just make sure you make the right decision. That’s it.”
Hunter, of course, fell into hot water at the end of 2012 over some controversial comments he made regarding homosexuality. Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press asked Hunter a follow-up Wednesday about his beliefs and whether he’d steer clear of answering such questions in the future.
“No I mean, nah. There’s nothing to talk about. You already know, so why keep talking about it?” Hunter said. “I said it. It is what it is. No, I’m not going to talk about it if you bring it up. It’s not even baseball related. We can do that later, when a retire. Then I’ll tell you everything.”
The exchange didn’t end there. Hunter sneaked in the last word after hearing the reporter’s name.
“Hey Mike is kind of a prick, huh? No, seriously, you’re a prick, man,” Hunter said. “I don’t even know you. You’re a prick. Seriously. Ain’t nothing wrong with that man, that’s your job. He’s definitely a prick, though.”
Sounds like Torii has a new favorite word.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@MLBONFOX
