More than two decades have passed since Rod Allen first met Torii Hunter.
Then coaching for the Kane County Cougars, a Midwest League affiliate in the Florida Marlins organization, Allen couldn't help but notice a raw-but-talented 18-year-old outfielder for the Fort Wayne Wizards.
"He was vibrant then," Allen, now a Detroit Tigers television analyst, said recently. "He was young. He was athletic. Had a wiry body, loved playing the game. You could see there was a lot of promise."
Hunter turns 40 on Saturday, making him one of the oldest everyday position players in Twins history.