Inside The Twins

A's rookie Denzel Clarke robs a homer so wild it floored Torii Hunter

Hunter won nine straight Gold Gloves while starring for the Twins and Angels in the 2000s.

Joe Nelson

July 9, 2007; St. Louis, MO), USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds talks with Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter during the All Star Workout Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-Imagn Images Copyright © Scott Rovak
July 9, 2007; St. Louis, MO), USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds talks with Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter during the All Star Workout Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-Imagn Images Copyright © Scott Rovak / Scott Rovak-Imagn Images
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Torii Hunter robbed as many home runs in his career as anyone ever has, but even the former Minnesota Twins defensive star was blown away from the unreal catch Oakland Athletic's center fielder Denzel Clarke made Monday night.

Clarke, the 25-year-old rookie whose cousins are Cleveland Guardians brothers Bo and Josh Naylor, made the catch of the year when he scaled the wall and reached to rob Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel of a homer.

"This has to be one of the best catches I've ever seen, and I've seen my share of home run robberies," Hunter reacted.

Hunter won nine Gold Glove awards during his 19-year career. More specifically, Hunter won a Gold Glove every season from 2001 to 2009.

Hunter robbed Albert Belle of a homer at the Metrodome, he climbed the wall and stole a homer from Barry Bonds during the 2002 All-Star Game, and he made a leaping catch at the wall to steal at least a double from Alex Rodriguez during a playoff game at Yankee Stadium. Those are just a few of the highlight-reel catches Hunter made during his time with the Twins (1997-2007).

The best comp we can come up with for Clarke's catch, however, is the sensational grab made by former Texas Rangers outfielder Garry Matthews Jr. in a game against the Houston Astros in 2006. If you don't know what we're talking about, here you go.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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