Even though it was 18 years ago, Torii Hunter's shocking move still haunts Twins fans to this day. One of the greatest players in Minnesota history, Hunter signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Thanksgiving in 2007 worth $90 million.
It ruined a holiday for Twins fans. They couldn't stomach the pain of an 11-year veteran taking off in the middle of the night. The timing of it was tough, and even though the fans didn't know it yet, this move wound up working out for the Twins immediately — but on Thanksgiving day itself in 2007.
Hunter had garnered two All-Star Game appearances and seven Gold Gloves from 1997-2007, which almost made him irreplaceable in Minnesota. However, the Twins won 79 games in Hunter's final year with the club. They weren't gelling, so Hunter leaving for greener pastures gave Minnesota a fresh start.
The Twins went on to log 88, 87, and 94 victories in the next three years without Hunter. Minnesota was able to afford and find playing time for young potential stars in Denard Span, Delmon Young, and Carlos Gomez — who were all productive players in their own right.
So, as we pass the mashed potatoes around the Thanksgiving table this year, it's fair to reflect on Torii Hunter's holiday departure. It left a wound in Twins fans' hearts, but Hunter did come back to play in Minnesota for his final MLB season. In 2015, Hunter cracked 22 home runs and 22 doubles to help the Twins to an 83-79 season, which snapped the organization's four-year skid of going sub-.500. That was a pleasant way for Hunter to go out, in a Twins uniform, to highlight a career that earned him nine total Gold Gloves, five All-Star nods, and two Silver Sluggers. It was the bandage Twins fans needed after he left them on a random Thanksgiving day.