Hunter hits career homer No. 300

MINNEAPOLIS -- Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter hit career home run No. 300 on Sunday in the city where it all began.

"It's special," Hunter said. "Just hitting my first home run in old Tigers Stadium against the Tigers with the Twins, to hit 300 against the Twins in the Tigers uniform at Target Field -- it's special. It's kind of weird, but it's special. I'm glad I got that monkey off my back."

Hunter, who played for the Twins from 1997-07, hit a two-run shot to left field in the first inning at Target Field. The homer, which scored Austin Jackson, went an estimated 376 feet off of right-hander P.J. Walters.

Finally got that 300th HR. It's feels great to do it on Father's Day. #monkeyoffmyback???

- Torii Hunter (@toriihunter48) June 16, 2013

"That's quite an accomplishment, and he did it against his own team," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "I think that it was kind of a neat scenario with the Minnesota fans [who] love him and they got to see him do that. It probably wasn't special for [Ron Gardenhire and the Twins today] but it was probably special for some of the fans."

Hunter, who now has three homers this season -- his previous on May 26 against the Twins -- hit the first 192 home runs of his career as a member of the Twins

"He's killing me," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Not exactly happy when he does it against you, but I'm proud. He's started in this organization and has had a heck of a career. Three hundred home runs is a lot and he still plays with the same enthusiasm as he had when he played here. So you always tip your cap to him, because he's one of the classiest guys in the game."