Torii Hunter returns from surprise visit to Arkansas, bats cleanup against Toronto

Torii Hunter's trip to Little Rock, Ark., on Tuesday to attend the high school graduation of his son, Cameron, turned into a surprise party.

"I didn't tell him I was coming," said the Angels center fielder, who missed Tuesday night's 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. "He was shocked. When he saw me, he almost burst into tears. It was nice to see him walk across the stage and get his diploma."

Hunter received permission from the Angels to attend the ceremony, and he returned Wednesday morning in plenty of time for Wednesday afternoon's series finale against the Blue Jays. Hunter was in the lineup and batting cleanup.

It was an expensive trip. In addition to chartering a private jet to fly him to Arkansas and back, Hunter said he will donate his salary from the game he did not play -- he grosses approximately $100,000 a game -- to charity.

"It was worth it," Hunter said. "I've been gone for 18 years of his life. I never got the chance to hang out with him. I missed a lot of his games. ... Whatever I made yesterday will go to a good cause."

-- Mike DiGiovanna

Photo: Torii Hunter. Credit: Reuters.