Orange County Register

Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said Kirby Puckett did it for him when he was a young player just coming up with the Minnesota Twins. So Hunter has done it for “most of the rookies” that have made their way to the Angels’ active roster this season.

He hands them an envelope. Inside is his paycheck.

“It’s not to brag,” he said. “It’s to push them. Motivation.”

Right-hander Shane Loux is the latest to get the eyeful of digits. Hunter called him over and played “the check game” during this week’s homestand.

Loux has been in the big leagues before. He was up with those dreadful Tigers in 2002 and 2003. Hunter said Loux looked at the check, covered his eyes and handed it back.

Loux said he got a “heads up” from his teammates that Hunter (who is making $16 million this season plus a $2.5 million signing bonus) would be doing that. Still — Loux was impressed.

“More numbers than I’ve ever seen,” Loux said of the paycheck. “It looked like a typo.”

The sight has no doubt motivated Loux …. to become a Gold Glove centerfielder.

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