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Los Angeles Angels: 4 former players make Hall of Fame ballot

Seth Carlson|
SEATTLE - JUNE 15: Right fielder Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim makes a diving catch of a ball hit by Jack Wilson #2 of the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 15, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE - JUNE 15: Right fielder Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim makes a diving catch of a ball hit by Jack Wilson #2 of the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 15, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 5: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is greeted at the dugout during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 5, 2012 in Oakland, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 7-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 5: Torii Hunter #48 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is greeted at the dugout during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 5, 2012 in Oakland, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 7-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

Torii Hunter

Angels fans will surely recognize this name.

Outfielder Torii Hunter spent four years with the Halos between 2008 and 2012, making two All-Star teams and helping lead the Angels to consecutive AL West division titles in 2008 and 2009.

Signing with Los Angeles as a free agent prior to the 2008 season from the Minnesota Twins, Hunter’s career in red and white was fruitful, racking up an .814 OPS and 122 OPS+. He flashed his power tool often, smashing 105 home runs while driving in 432 RBIs as a potent middle of the order bat in the Angels lineup.

His defense in the outfield also proved valuable during his Halos tenure, winning consecutive Gold Gloves with the team in 2008 and 2009.

Hunter’s career in Los Angeles was surely memorable, but he became expendable following the 2012 season due to the emergence of someone named Mike Trout. Hunter would sign with the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2013 season.

Given the breadth of his accomplishments and length of his career, Hunter could be a legitimate candidate for the Hall of Fame at some point. With other more established names currently on the ballot, however, Hunter’s potential enshrinement could be put on hold for now.

That said, if Hunter does get into the Hall of Fame, it’s quite possible he could choose to have his plaque display an Angels cap.

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