Montreal, July 26, 2021 – Since the beginning of training camp, Monshadrik Hunter has been moving from one room to another in the basement of Olympic Stadium. From the former Expos locker room to Salon Gary-Carter, the 26-year-old defensive back spends a lot of time at the same places that baseball legends have been in, including his father Torii.
The latter played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, including 12 with the Minnesota Twins. He evens breaks bread three times a day at the same spot from which his father hit a home run on June 15, 2004, against the Expos.
Hunter could feel right at home in such surroundings, but he is razor-focused on his daily duties during training camp.
“I haven’t had that thought process. Right now I’m concentrating on football. I had a moment where I stopped and realized that pop’s played here. That’s cool, but right now my mind is on football,” said Hunter following Monday’s practice.
His father also played for the Anaheim Angels for five seasons and the Detroit Tigers for two years. During his career, he was elected to the all-star team five times, amassing 2,452 hits, 353 home runs and 1,391 RBIs.
“I got to see a lot of baseball growing up, more than football. Growing up and being in a locker room with Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz and those types of guys gave me guidelines on how to handle myself professionally. I saw all the work they put in behind closed doors,” explained Hunter.
He also got to meet Major League Baseball’s current top star, as he played with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “We saw each other a few times. I definitely remember us shagging balls together in the outfield when our dads were taking batting practice. We were young and running around all over the place.”
Even after spending his youth submerged in the world of baseball, Monshadrik developed a love for football.
“I was in a rebellious stage in my life. I wanted to make my own footsteps. I knew I would be compared to my dad if I played baseball. By playing football people wouldn’t know who my dad is.”
That didn’t stop him from excelling in baseball to the point where he received a dual scholarship in football and baseball.
“I got to talk to the Yankees, but I Injured my throwing arm and had a torn labrum. I had to make a decision and enjoyed tackling people, so I chose football.”
Rapid-fire
Jake Wieneke made a beautiful one-handed catch, despite tight coverage from defensive back Rodney Randle Jr. … Receivers Dante Absher, Rashaun Simonise and Eugene Lewis also caught football from Matt Shiltz and Adams Jr. … Rookie Cameron Artis-Payne dodged a number of players before crossing the goal line following a 30-yard run. His teammate William Stanback followed him on the next play with a 15-yard rushing touchdown… Rookie defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy grabbed the ball when it slipped through Eugene Lewis’ hands for an interception… The offensive line has been doing a great job protecting the quarterbacks that have plenty of time to make passes.
He said it
“There is competition at every position. Nothing is granted for our players. This is why we have scrimmages and we are on the field every day. We will have tough decisions to make Friday and until then, I know players will leave everything on the field.”
– Danny Maciocia
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