'I'm a baseball guy': Twins' Hunter retires but will stay in the game

Nine-time Gold Glove winning outfielder Torii Hunter formally announced his retirement from baseball Thursday, but he made it clear that this wasn't the end of his life in baseball.

Hunter, who made his Major League Baseball debut with the Minnesota Twins in 1997, left after the 2007 season, then returned this year for his final season, said last week that he was done as a player. His official retirement Thursday at Target Field gave him the chance to talk a little about what might come next.

After saying he wants to take some time off, Hunter expressed interest in becoming a TV analyst and someday a coach.

"I'm gonna think about a lot of things in the next couple months and I'll make my decision soon (but) I don't want to sit out too long," he told reporters. "I'm retiring from the field, but I'm a baseball guy, man. It's all I know. I want to be in it."

Hunter finished his career with a .277 batting average and 353 home runs, playing for the Twins, the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers.

After thanking a long list of former managers and players, Hunter made a point to thank the fans.

"The fans make the team. The fans make the players. And I really thank them for all the support, all the love the Twins fans have given me throughout my years," he said. "You know what, I'm gonna miss that."