Hunter's Throw: Just Trying to Be Helpful?

If you didn't see it, yesterday in a move that is so elegant in its simplicity that I'm surprised it does not happen more often, Torii Hunter was hit by a pitch, picked up the ball having to push third-base coach Al Newman and catcher Einar Diaz out of the way in the process, and fired it back at Cleveland pitcher Danys Baez, hitting him on the leg. Hunter was ejected and both benches cleared. Baez came over to the Twins bench later in the game and apologized to a surprised Hunter (who should no longer have been on the bench being ejected and all). Hunter sounded regretful after the game talking to reporters and said he was surprised Newman let him get the ball. Though Baez got some leather on the ball, he termed it a "hard pitch." There were no reports of group hugs or rounds of "Cum Ba Ya" after the apology.

Manager Ron Gardenhire, had this to say:

We were just playing Minnesota Twins baseball. Torii is an emotional player. I just think he was giving the ball back, that's all.