Detroit Tiger Torii Hunter says article on feelings over gay teammates 'misrepresented'

Right fielder taking flak for article in the Los Angeles Times

DETROIT – Torii Hunter, a right fielder for the Detroit Tigers, is making headlines for comments he made to a reporter for the Los Angeles Times by saying he believes knowing a teammate was gay would make him "uncomfortable".

"For me, as a Christian…I will be uncomfortable because in all my teachings and all my learning, biblically, it's not right," the former Angels outfielder told the publication. "It will be difficult and uncomfortable."

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On Monday, Hunter responded with a tweet saying:

I'm very disappointed in Kevin Baxter's article in which my quotes and feelings have been misrepresented. He took two completely separate quotes and made them into one quote that does not express how I feel as a Christian or a human being . I have love and respect for all human beings regardless of race, color or sexual orientation. I am not perfect and try hard to live the best life I can and treat all people with respect. If you know me you know that I am not anti anything and to be portrayed as anti-gay in this article is hurtful and just not true.

In 2010 Hunter sparked controversy when he reportedly referred to dark-skinned Latino baseball players as "impostors" while discussing the changing demographics in baseball during an interview with USA Today.

"People see dark faces out there, and the perception is that they're African-American. They're not us. They're impostors," he told Bob Nightengale. He went on to note, "As African-American players, we have a theory that baseball can go get an imitator and pass them off as us...It's like, 'Why should I get this kid from the South Side of Chicago and have Scott Boras represent him and pay him $5 million when you can get a Dominican guy for a bag of chips?'"

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Hunter signed a two-year, $26-million deal with the Detroit Tigers in November.

Hunter will be replacing Delmon Young in the starting lineup.

Hunter, 37, has spent the past five years with the Los Angeles Angels.

He was also in talks with the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves before choosing to sign with the Tigers.

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