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Harmon Killebrew

April 27, 2023

"Killebrew" redirects here. For other people of the same surname, see Killebrew (surname).

Harmon Clayton Killebrew Jr. (/ˈkɪlɪbruː/; June 29, 1936 – May 17, 2011), nicknamed "The Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. He who spent most of his 22-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Minnesota Twins. A prolific power hitter, Killebrew had the fifth-most home runs in major league history at the time of his retirement. He was second only to Babe Ruth in American League (AL) home runs, and was the AL career leader in home runs by a right-handed batter.[1] Killebrew was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.

Harmon Killebrew
Killebrew in 1962
First baseman / Third baseman / Left fielder
Born: (1936-06-29)June 29, 1936
Payette, Idaho, U.S.
Died: May 17, 2011(2011-05-17) (aged 74)
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 23, 1954, for the Washington Senators
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 1975, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
Batting average.256
Hits2,086
Home runs573
Runs batted in1,584
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction1984
Vote83.1% (fourth ballot)

Killebrew was 5-foot-11-inch (180 cm) tall and 213 pounds (97 kg). His compact swing generated tremendous power and made him one of the most feared power hitters of the 1960s, when he hit at least 40 home runs in a season eight times. In total Killebrew led the league six times in home runs and three times in RBIs, and was named to 13 All-Star teams. In 1965, he played in the World Series with the Twins, who lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers. His finest season was 1969, when he hit 49 home runs, recorded 140 RBIs and won the AL Most Valuable Player Award while helping lead the Twins to the AL West pennant.

With quick hands and exceptional upper body strength, Killebrew was known for both the frequency and distance of his homers. He hit the longest home runs ever recorded at Minnesota's Metropolitan Stadium [520 ft (160 m)], and Baltimore's Memorial Stadium [471 ft (144 m)], and was the first of four players to hit a ball over the left field roof at Detroit's Tiger Stadium. Despite his nicknames and his powerful style of play, Killebrew was a quiet, kind man. Asked once what hobbies he had, Killebrew replied, "Just washing the dishes, I guess."[2]

After retiring from baseball, Killebrew became a television broadcaster for several baseball teams from 1976 to 1988. He also served as a hitting instructor for the Oakland Athletics.

Early life

Born and raised in Payette, Idaho, Killebrew was youngest of four children of Harmon Clayton Sr. and Katherine Pearl (May) Killebrew. His father, a painter and sheriff, was a member of an undefeated Millikin College football team who was later named an All-American under eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Greasy Neale.[3][4] According to family legend, Harmon Killebrew's grandfather was the strongest man in the Union Army, winning every available heavyweight wrestling championship.[4] Clayton encouraged Harmon and his brothers to stay active in various sports before his sudden death in 1953 at age 59.[4]

As a child, Killebrew played baseball at Walter Johnson Memorial Field, named after the Hall of Fame pitcher who spent part of his childhood in Idaho.[5] He worked as a farmhand in his youth, lifting ten-gallon milk cans, each weighing about 95 pounds (43 kg).[1] Killebrew earned 12 letters in various sports and was named an All-American quarterback at Payette High School; the school retired his uniform number.[3][6] He was offered an athletic scholarship by the University of Oregon, but declined the offer.[7]

In the early 1950s, Senator Herman Welker of Idaho told Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith about Killebrew, who was hitting for an .847 batting average for a semi-professional baseball team at the time.[5][8] Griffith told his farm director Ossie Bluege about the tip and Bluege flew to Idaho to watch Killebrew play.[9] The Boston Red Sox also expressed interest but Bluege succeeded in signing him to a $50,000 ($504,523 today) contract on June 19, 1954.[6][8][10]

Professional baseball career

Washington Senators

Killebrew signed his contract under Major League Baseball (MLB)'s Bonus Rule, which required that he spend two full seasons on the major league roster.[8] He made his major league debut four days after signing and six days from his 18th birthday (becoming the youngest active player in the majors at the time), running for pinch-hitter Clyde Vollmer, who had been hit by a pitch with the bases loaded by Chicago White Sox starter Jack Harshman.[11][12] On August 23, 1954, Killebrew made his first start in the second game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics, hitting two singles and a double as the Senators won, 10–3.[13] A year and one day after making his major league debut, Killebrew hit his first major league home run on June 24, 1955, in the fifth inning off Detroit Tigers starter Billy Hoeft, five days shy of his 19th birthday.[14] In his first two seasons, Killebrew struck out 34 times in only 93 at bats, contributing to a .215 batting average with four home runs.[8] Killebrew also had defensive difficulties at third base, where he played behind veteran Eddie Yost.[8]

 
Killebrew with the Senators in 1959

When Killebrew's bonus period expired in 1956, he was sent to the Senators' minor league affiliate in Charlotte of the South Atlantic League.[15] He returned to the majors in early May. On May 29, after being forced into action when regular second baseman Pete Runnels was injured early in a game against the Orioles, Killebrew hit two home runs, including only the second ball ever hit over a wire barrier in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium's center field.[16][17] Killebrew had a .115 average through June 16, and as a result was sent back to Charlotte; he finished the season there with a .325 batting average and 15 home runs in 70 games.[16][18] Killebrew spent most of the 1957 season with the Southern Association's Chattanooga Lookouts, where he hit a league-high 29 home runs with 101 RBIs and was named to the All-Star Game.[18][19] While in Chattanooga, Killebrew became the only player to hit a home run over the center field wall at Engel Stadium, 471 feet (144 m) from home plate.[20] In 1958, he was briefly promoted to Indianapolis of the American Association but struggled and was sent back to Chattanooga for most of the season.[19] Killebrew finished the season with 38 games played in Indianapolis and 86 in Chattanooga, where he hit .308 with 17 home runs.[18] He also played a combined 22 games for the Senators in 1957 and 1958.[12]

Calvin Griffith took over the Senators after his uncle Clark Griffith died in 1955, and decided Killebrew was ready to become the Senators' regular third baseman. Griffith traded the 32-year-old Eddie Yost to the Detroit Tigers on December 6, 1958, and Killebrew became the starting third baseman.[8][21] From May 1 to May 17, he had five multi-home run games and his first five-RBI game on May 12.[8] With 28 home runs by mid-season, he started the first 1959 All-Star Game and was a reserve in the second. Killebrew attracted so much attention in Washington that he was visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who frequently attended games,[22] and Griffith turned down a $500,000 offer for Killebrew from the Cincinnati Reds.[22] Killebrew finished the season with 42 home runs to tie for the American League lead; it also tied the Senators' single-season record set by his teammate Roy Sievers two years earlier.[8][23] Although 1959 proved his breakout season, he was ineligible for the Rookie of the Year Award because of his previous sparse experience. Instead, the award went to teammate Bob Allison.[24]

Killebrew was bothered by injury early in the 1960 season. In March, he had surgery for nasal irritation,[25] and a recurring hamstring injury caused him to miss most of May.[26] On his return, he remained in the lineup for the rest of the season, finishing the year with 31 home runs in 124 games.[12][15] Killebrew's arrival and home runs did little to improve the Senators' record, as they finished in the second division of the American League every year he played for Washington, including four years in last place.[27] After the 1960 season, the Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins.

Minnesota Twins

1961–1965

 
Killibrew hits a single at Metropolitan Stadium on July 30, 1964, driving in Tony Oliva.[28]

For the franchise's first year in Minnesota, Killebrew was named team captain by manager Cookie Lavagetto.[29] He responded by hitting 46 home runs, breaking the franchise record he had tied two years earlier.[23] Among his other production, Killebrew drove in a team-leading 122 RBIs, posted a career-best batting average of .288 and had a slugging percentage of over .600 for the only time in his career. In addition, he had a career-high seven triples, tying for the team lead, and led the Twins in runs, total bases and walks.[12][15] On June 12, 1961, Killebrew had the only five-hit game of his career, though in a losing effort.[30] Killebrew was named to both 1961 All-Star games. He did not play in the second, but in the first, he hit a pinch hit home run in the sixth inning.[31] After the season ended, Killebrew took part in a home run hitting contest with Jim Gentile and Roger Maris, whose 61 home runs that year broke the single-season record; Killebrew hit 20 to win the contest.[32]

After his seven-triple season, his speed began to decrease and he could no longer regularly score triples due to pulling his quadriceps during the 1962 season.[33] Killebrew moved to left field, where he started off the season slowly. He hit under .200 in both April and June, and because of this Killebrew was not selected to play in either 1962 All-Star Game, the last season he was not named an All-Star before 1972.[12][34] On July 18 in a game against the Cleveland Indians, Killebrew and Bob Allison became the first teammates since 1890 to hit grand slams in the same inning as the Twins scored 11 runs in the first.[15][35] Over the course of the season, Killebrew hit 48 home runs, 126 RBIs, and had 107 walks, all career highs at the time.[12] No one else in the AL managed even 40 home runs and he also led the league in RBIs.[36] Killebrew's 48 home runs also broke the franchise record for the second year in a row.[23] Not all his stats were positive; Killebrew's batting average dropped from .288 in 1961 to .243 and he struck out a career-worst 142 times, leading the AL.[12]

Killebrew's efforts were rewarded in 1963 when he agreed to a contract for about $40,000 ($354,043 today).[37] He started the season off slowly, and he missed the second half of April and early May due to a right knee injury that was slow to heal.[38] Killebrew continued his hitting prowess for the Twins upon his return, and at one point led them on a six-game winning streak.[39] On September 21, Killebrew hit three home runs in a game for the only time in his career in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox.[30][40] Killebrew finished the season with a .258 batting average, 45 home runs, and 96 RBI, and led the league in home runs and slugging percentage (.555).[12] He had surgery on his troublesome right knee after the season ended.[41]

Having played left field for the previous three years with a below-average throwing arm, the additional complication of Killebrew's knee surgery necessitated a move to the infield. For the remainder of his career, he played only 19 games in the outfield.[12][33][42] He finished the 1964 season with a .270 batting average, 49 home runs, and 111 RBI; he led the AL in home runs for the third consecutive year.[12]

The Twins finally won the American League pennant during the 1965 season. On July 11, the day before the All-Star break, the defending AL champion Yankees had a one-run lead over the Twins going into the bottom of the 9th inning, but Killebrew hit a two-run home run for the win.[43] Two days later, Killebrew started the All-Star Game at his home field, Metropolitan Stadium, and hit a game-tying two-run home run, erasing what had been a 5–0 National League lead.[44] Elected to play first base on his fifth All-Star team, Killebrew became the first player in All-Star game history to be elected at three different positions, having previously been selected to play third base (1959 and 1961) and left field (1963 and 1964).[45]

 
Killebrew in 1965

Killebrew drove in the tying or winning run seven times in 1965 before suffering an injury on August 2.[46] During a game against the Orioles, Twins third baseman Rich Rollins made a poor throw to first and while trying to save the play, Killebrew collided with the runner and dislocated his elbow, putting him out of action until mid-September.[47][48][49] Despite his absence, the Twins had a win–loss record of 28–19 and even extended their first place lead.[46][50] Killebrew ended the regular season with 25 home runs and 75 RBI, his lowest numbers in a full season due to the injury.[12] In the 1965 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Killebrew and Zoilo Versalles led the Twins with .286 batting averages, and Killebrew hit a home run off Don Drysdale in Game 4. Minnesota was shut out in three games and the Dodgers won the series in seven.[51]

1966–1969

At the start of the 1966 season, Killebrew hit few home runs; halfway through May, he had hit only two, his lowest total at that point of a season since 1960, when he had missed the first two months of the season.[52] He later increased his tally to 39 and finished the season with a .281 batting average and 110 RBIs. He led the AL with 103 walks and finished 4th in Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) voting after Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Boog Powell[12][53] of the American League leading Baltimore Orioles.

During the 1967 season Killebrew hit the then longest home run recorded at Metropolitan Stadium, a June 3 shot off Lew Burdette in the 4th inning that landed in the second deck of the bleachers.[54] The Twins, led by Killebrew, were in the pennant race throughout the season, and had a one-game lead as the final two games of the season began against the Boston Red Sox. Having to win only once to clinch the pennant, Killebrew hit a home run in the first game and recorded two hits in each game, but Boston won twice and Minnesota finished in a second place tie with the Detroit Tigers.[55] Killebrew finished the season with a .269 batting average and 113 RBIs, tied AL Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski with 44 home runs, and led the league with 131 walks.[12] He also finished a distant second in MVP voting to the Boston star.[56]

In April 1968 Killebrew served as a prosecution witness in a case where his name was being used to fraudulently sell stocks in Idaho.[57] The baseball season proved unsuccessful for Killebrew, whose batting average barely passed .200 most of the year; after a strong start, he hit below .200 in both May and June and his average stood at .204 with 13 home runs going into the all-star break.[58][59] Even so, he was selected as the starting first baseman in the All-Star Game and Killebrew said that, owing to his poor start, he was "surprised" and "embarrassed" by the selection.[60] During the third inning of the game he stretched for a ball thrown by shortstop Jim Fregosi, his foot slipped, and he did the splits, rupturing his left medial hamstring. He was carried from the field by a stretcher. At the time, the injury was considered career-threatening, but after missing about six weeks, he returned to limited action in September.[61][62]

After enduring seven months of rehabilitation for his injury, Killebrew remained in pain but rebounded to have his best season in 1969.[44] On July 5, Killebrew set a career-high with six RBIs in a game against the Oakland Athletics.[30][63] On September 7 he topped that mark with a three-run homer and a grand slam in the first two innings, leading the team to another defeat of the Athletics .[30][64] Killebrew led the best offense in the league and rookie manager Billy Martin's Twins won the new American League West division as a result.[65]

For the season, Killebrew set career highs in RBIs, runs, walks and on-base percentage, tied his career high with 49 home runs, and even registered eight of his 19 career stolen bases, en route to winning his only Most Valuable Player Award.[44] Playing in all 162 games, he led the majors in home runs and RBI (140), while leading the AL in on-base percentage (.427), walks (145) and intentional walks (20).[12][66] As of 2021, Killebrew's home run, RBI, and walk totals from 1969 remain team records,[15] and his 145 walks are tied for the 20th highest single season total in MLB history and 7th highest for a right-handed batter.[67] In the 1969 American League Championship Series, the Baltimore Orioles used their pitching staff, the best in the league, to defeat Minnesota and win the series three games to none.[61] Baltimore avoided Killebrew by walking him six times in the three games to avoid pitching to him, which was as many times as they walked the rest of the Twins team.[68]

1970–1974

After his MVP season, Killebrew signed a new contract with the Twins worth $90,000 ($627,995 today).[69] He was set to lead a team that had undergone a lot of change; Killebrew was one of only four Twins remaining from the 1965 pennant-winning club.[70] He spent most of the season's first half continuing his success, and found Baltimore's Brooks Robinson rivalling him for the third base spot during the All-Star voting process; the two were neck-and-neck throughout.[71] He continued his success through the second half of the year, and at season's end had hit 41 home runs with 113 RBIs and finished third in MVP voting behind teammate and runner-up Tony Oliva and Baltimore's Boog Powell.[72] In a rematch of the previous season the Twins again faced Powell and the Orioles in the 1970 American League Championship Series. Killebrew upped his performance and hit two home runs in three games, but Minnesota was again swept.[73]

Killebrew reached 40 home runs in a season for the final time in 1970 and also made his last appearance in the postseason. His contract continued to grow in value though, and before the 1971 season began he was awarded the first $100,000 ($669,104 today) contract in Twins history.[74] Killebrew appeared in his last All-Star Game in 1971, hitting a two-run home run off Ferguson Jenkins to provide the margin of victory for the AL.[12][75] He finished the season with a .254 batting average, 114 walks, 119 RBI, the latter two of which led the league, and 28 home runs.[12] Killebrew hit his 498th home run on June 22, 1971, but a sprained right toe made his run to milestone number 500 a slow one. He hit number 499 more than a month later and finally hit number 500 off a Mike Cuellar slow curveball in the first inning of an August 10 home game; at the time, he was the 10th player in history to hit 500 home runs. He then wasted no time in hitting number 501, knocking a Cuellar fastball over the fences later in the same game.[66][76]

 
Killebrew's number 3 was retired by the Minnesota Twins in 1975.

In 1972, Killebrew showed signs of slowing down. He missed his first All-Star Game since 1962, but instead of expressing disappointment in his streak ending, he noted that Twins shortstop Danny Thompson should have had the opportunity to play instead; Thompson mentioned the same thing about Killebrew.[77] Despite not making the team, Killebrew's home run total continued to climb, and by the end of July he had Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle's career marks in his sights;[78] he went on to pass both in August. Killebrew finished the season with a .231 batting average, 26 home runs, and 74 RBIs.[12] There were questions about Killebrew's health as the 1973 season began, as he had surgery twice during the offseason to fix leg problems.[79] He played through the first half of the season, but an injury to his left knee on June 25 sidelined him. A month later, the injury had not cleared up, and he underwent surgery to remove some torn cartilage; he did not return to the lineup until mid-September.[80] Killebrew played in only 69 games that season, hitting five home runs.[12]

Fully recovered for the 1974 season, Killebrew made his mark early on, hitting two home runs in a May 5 match against the Detroit Tigers; the second was career home run number 550.[81] In his honor, the Twins held Harmon Killebrew Day in August, when it was announced that they would retire his number; Killebrew responded by leading the Twins to a 5–4 victory over the Orioles.[82] He finished the season with a .222 batting average, 13 home runs, and 54 RBIs.[12] In December 1974, he was given the option of staying with the Twins as a coach and batting instructor, managing the AAA Tacoma Twins, or being released.[83] He chose to be released, ending his 21-season tenure with the Twins.[12]

Kansas City Royals

On January 24, 1975, eight days after getting his release from the Twins, Killebrew signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals. During his return to Minnesota in early May, the Twins formally retired his No. 3 jersey. In that game, Killebrew hit a home run against his former teammates and received a standing ovation from the crowd.[84] In 106 games with the Royals, he had a batting average of .199, 14 home runs, and 44 RBIs.[12] At the end of the season, the Royals released Killebrew.[85] In March 1976, he formally announced his retirement and said he would become an announcer and color commentator for Twins games. At the time of his retirement, he was fifth all-time on the home run list.[86]

Career hitting statistics

[12] Games At bats Runs Hits 2B 3B HR RBI BA OBP SLG
Totals 2435 8147 1283 2086 290 24 573 1584 .256 .376 .509

Hall of Fame

Killebrew was first eligible for the Hall of Fame in 1981 and received 239 votes, or 59.6% of the vote; 75% of the vote is required for induction.[87] While he did hit 573 home runs (5th all-time when he left the game), he amassed a relatively low hit total (2086), given the years he played, combined with a high number of strikeouts (1699), and a .256 batting average. In 1982, Killebrew received 59.3% of the vote, taking a backseat to Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson, who made it in their first year of eligibility.[87] After receiving 71.9% of the vote in 1983, Killebrew said not getting in that year was more difficult to accept than the previous two times, and asked "Why do the writers feel there only has to be a certain number inducted each time?"[88] In 1984, Killebrew received 83.1% of the vote and was elected to the Hall in his fourth year of eligibility, joining Luis Aparicio and Don Drysdale as electees.[87]

Legacy

Killebrew can knock the ball out of any park, including Yellowstone.

—Paul Richards, Baltimore Orioles manager, 1959.[89]

Killebrew hit 573 home runs (12th all time), drove in 1,584 RBIs and had 1,559 (15th all time) bases on balls during his career.[90][91] He is also the all-time home run record holder among players born in Idaho; Vance Law is second. He also finished with the record of having the most plate appearances (9,831) in his career without a sacrifice hit (since broken by Frank Thomas with 10,074 plate appearances).[12][92]

 
Mall of America entrance and Killebrew Drive

Reggie Jackson once said, "If Harmon Killebrew isn't the league's best player, I've never seen one." The street along the south side of the Mall of America, the former site of Metropolitan Stadium, in Bloomington, Minnesota, is named "Killebrew Drive" in his honor. Banners that hung above the Metrodome's outfield upper deck, resembling baseball cards, showed the retired numbers: Killebrew (3), Rod Carew (29), Tony Oliva (6), Kent Hrbek (14) and Kirby Puckett (34). In 1999, he was ranked 69th on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players[93] and nominated as a finalist for Major League Baseball's All-Century Team.[94] When the Twins moved to Target Field in 2010, Gate 3 on the southeast (center field) side of the stadium was named in his honor. There are also corresponding gates for the team's other retired numbers. Killebrew Canyon at Heavenly Mountain Resort is also named after Killebrew, who skied the resort's outer limits after his retirement from baseball.[95]

Despite rumors that Killebrew is the player depicted in the Major League Baseball logo, according to the creator, Jerry Dior, it was not patterned after any specific player.[96][97] Killebrew is the model for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, an organization he helped found in 1982.[97]

Killebrew was known as an all-around gentleman during his playing career. "He's one of the greatest of all time."[66] He was even noted as being kind to the umpires:

The Killer was one of the most feared sluggers in baseball history, but he was also one of the nicest people ever to play the game. He was one of the few players who would go out of his way to compliment umpires on a good job, even if their calls went against him. I'd call a tough strike on him and he would turn around and say approvingly, "Good call." And he was the same way in the field. And he never did this to get help on close plays, as some players do. The man hit 573 major league home runs and no umpire ever swung a bat for him.

— Ron Luciano, Umpire Strikes Back, page 59[98]
 
Killebrew's red bleacher seat showing where his 520-foot (160 m) home run was hit, overlooking the flume ride at the Mall of America's Nickelodeon Universe in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Killebrew was known for his quick hands and exceptional upper-body strength, demonstrated by frequent "tape measure" home runs he hit in the prime of his career. Killebrew said his first home run in the Majors was his favorite, coming off Billy Hoeft at Griffith Stadium. He said of it, "Frank House was the catcher. When I came to the plate, he said, 'Kid, we're going to throw you a fastball.' I didn't know whether to believe him or not. I hit it out. It was one of the longest home runs I ever hit. As I crossed the plate, House said, 'That's the last time I ever tell you what pitch is coming.'"[1]

On August 3, 1962, he was the first batter ever to hit a baseball over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium,[99] a seldom-reached target as contrasted with the old ballpark's smaller right field area. Only three others accomplished this feat during the next 37 seasons before the stadium closed.[100] On May 24, 1964, Harmon hit the longest measured homer at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, 471 feet (144 m) to deep left center. The ball landed in the far reaches of the bleachers.[101] The only player to hit one completely out of the Orioles' stadium was Frank Robinson in 1966; his blast was reported as about 451 feet (137 m), or about 20 feet (6 m) less than Killebrew's.[102] On June 3, 1967, Killebrew hit a 520-foot (158 m) home run, the longest measured home run ever hit at Metropolitan Stadium and, as of 2022, the longest in Twins history.[54][103] That event is commemorated at the Mall of America in Bloomington, which includes a plaque marking home plate, and one red-painted seat from the Met which was placed at the location and elevation of the landing spot of the home run.[54] Target Field had a statue of a Gold Glove outside Gate 34 that was exactly 520 feet (158 m) from Target Field's home plate.[104] It was moved to another location after the Twins created the Gate 34 experience. [105]

Post-career

 
Killebrew in 2007

Following his retirement, Killebrew was a television broadcaster for the Twins at WTCN TV from 1976 to 1978, the Oakland Athletics from 1979 to 1982, the California Angels in 1983 and back with Minnesota from 1984 to 1988.[106][107][108] While with Oakland, he also served as a major- and minor-league hitting instructor.[109] In the late 1980s, Killebrew had financial problems. In July 1988, his house went into foreclosure and, in 1989, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that he had fallen $700,000 into debt.[85][110] He also divorced his first wife of more than 30 years, Elaine Killebrew née Roberts, whom he had married in 1955.[110][111] Soon after, Killebrew's health failed. In May 1990, he was rushed to the hospital with a collapsed lung and damaged esophagus.[112] Together with a subsequent abscess and staph infection, Killebrew endured three surgeries and nearly died. He used a wheelchair for some time post-surgery. By December 1990, his health had improved and he married Nita Patten.[85][112]

Killebrew was involved in a Boise, Idaho insurance and securities business.[108] He moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1990, where he chaired the Harmon Killebrew Foundation, which he created in 1998.[108][113] Killebrew founded the Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament, now titled the Killebrew-Thompson Memorial in 1977 with former Idaho congressman Ralph Harding, which is played annually in late August in Sun Valley, Idaho, and has donated more than $15.6 million to leukemia and cancer research. Thompson was a Twins teammate who continued his major league career while suffering from leukemia; he died in December 1976 at the age of 29.[114]

Personal life

Despite his nicknames and style of play, Killebrew was considered by his colleagues to be a quiet, kind man.[115] While still an active major leaguer, Killebrew became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and never smoked or drank.[116] He was once asked in an interview what hobbies he had, to which he replied, "Just washing the dishes, I guess."[2]

On December 29, 2010, Killebrew announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and started treatment.[117][118] On May 13, 2011, a Minnesota Twins press release reported he was ceasing treatment and entering hospice care, because his illness had progressed beyond his doctors' expectation of cure.[119] To honor Killebrew, the Twins wore their 1961 throwback alternate jerseys at home for the remainder of the 2011 season;[120] he was also honored by the Washington Nationals, who hung a jersey with Killebrew's name and number 3 in their home dugout.[121] Killebrew died on May 17, 2011, at his home in Scottsdale at the age of 74.[122] He was interred at Riverside Cemetery in Payette, Idaho.[123]

Following his death, the Twins released the following statement:

No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins Territory than Harmon Killebrew. Harmon will long be remembered as one of the most prolific home run hitters in the history of the game and the leader of a group of players who helped lay the foundation for the long-term success of the Twins franchise and Major League Baseball in the Upper Midwest. However, more importantly Harmon's legacy will be the class, dignity and humility he demonstrated each and every day as a Hall of Fame-quality husband, father, friend, teammate and man.

— Twins President Dave St. Peter, Star Tribune[124]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b Heilman, Barbara (April 8, 1963). "Out Of The Park On A Half Swing". Sports Illustrated. 18 (14): 85–92. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Porter, p. 807.
  4. ^ a b c Thielman, p. 132.
  5. ^ a b Thielman, p. 131.
  6. ^ a b Thielman, p. 134.
  7. ^ Porter, pp. 807–808.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Porter, p. 808.
  9. ^ Thielman, p. 133.
  10. ^ "Senators Pay $50,000 To First Bonus Player". The New York Times. June 20, 1954. p. 3.
  11. ^ "June 23, 1954, Senators at White Sox Box Score and Play by Play". Baseball-Reference.com. from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Harmon Killebrew Statistics". Baseball-Reference. from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2008.
  13. ^ Povich, Shirley (September 1, 1954). "Kid Killebrew Shines at Bat in Bow as Nat". The Sporting News: 6.
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Bibliography

  • Allen, Bob; Bill Gilbert (2000). The 500 Home Run Club: Baseball's 16 Greatest Home Run Hitters from Babe Ruth to Mark McGwire. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing. ISBN 1-58261-289-7.
  • Armour, Mark L.; Daniel R. Levitt (2004). Paths to Glory: How Great Baseball Teams Got That Way. Dulles, Virginia: Brassey's. ISBN 1-57488-805-6.
  • Kalb, Elliott (2005). Who's Better, Who's Best in Baseball?. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 0-07-144538-2.
  • Leboutillier, Nate (2008). The Story of the Minnesota Twins. Mankato, Minnesota: Creative Education. ISBN 978-1-58341-493-4.
  • Markoe, Arnie (2002). The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. ISBN 0-684-80665-7.
  • Pahigian, Josh; Kevin O'Connell (2004). The Ultimate Baseball Road-trip: A Fan's Guide to Major League Stadiums. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press. ISBN 1-59228-159-1.
  • Porter, David L. (2000). Biographical Dictionary of American Sports. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0-313-31175-7.
  • Rushin, Steve (2000). The Caddie Was a Reindeer: And Other Tales of Extreme Recreation. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press. ISBN 0-87113-878-6.
  • Thielman, Jim (2005). Cool of the Evening: The 1965 Minnesota Twins. Minneapolis: Kirk House Publishers. ISBN 1-886513-71-6.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harmon Killebrew.
  • Harmon Killebrew at the Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Career statistics and player information from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs
  • Harmon Killebrew at Find a Grave  

April 27, 2023
harmon, killebrew, killebrew, redirects, here, other, people, same, surname, killebrew, surname, harmon, clayton, killebrew, june, 1936, 2011, nicknamed, killer, hammerin, harmon, american, professional, baseball, first, baseman, third, baseman, left, fielder,. Killebrew redirects here For other people of the same surname see Killebrew surname Harmon Clayton Killebrew Jr ˈ k ɪ l ɪ b r uː June 29 1936 May 17 2011 nicknamed The Killer and Hammerin Harmon was an American professional baseball first baseman third baseman and left fielder He who spent most of his 22 year career in Major League Baseball MLB with the Minnesota Twins A prolific power hitter Killebrew had the fifth most home runs in major league history at the time of his retirement He was second only to Babe Ruth in American League AL home runs and was the AL career leader in home runs by a right handed batter 1 Killebrew was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984 Harmon KillebrewKillebrew in 1962First baseman Third baseman Left fielderBorn 1936 06 29 June 29 1936Payette Idaho U S Died May 17 2011 2011 05 17 aged 74 Scottsdale Arizona U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutJune 23 1954 for the Washington SenatorsLast MLB appearanceSeptember 26 1975 for the Kansas City RoyalsMLB statisticsBatting average 256Hits2 086Home runs573Runs batted in1 584TeamsWashington Senators Minnesota Twins 1954 1974 Kansas City Royals 1975 Career highlights and awards13 All Star 1959 1959 1961 1961 1963 1971 AL MVP 1969 6 AL home run leader 1959 1962 1964 1967 1969 3 AL RBI leader 1962 1969 1971 Minnesota Twins No 3 retired Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame Washington Nationals Ring of HonorMember of the NationalBaseball Hall of FameInduction1984Vote83 1 fourth ballot Killebrew was 5 foot 11 inch 180 cm tall and 213 pounds 97 kg His compact swing generated tremendous power and made him one of the most feared power hitters of the 1960s when he hit at least 40 home runs in a season eight times In total Killebrew led the league six times in home runs and three times in RBIs and was named to 13 All Star teams In 1965 he played in the World Series with the Twins who lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers His finest season was 1969 when he hit 49 home runs recorded 140 RBIs and won the AL Most Valuable Player Award while helping lead the Twins to the AL West pennant With quick hands and exceptional upper body strength Killebrew was known for both the frequency and distance of his homers He hit the longest home runs ever recorded at Minnesota s Metropolitan Stadium 520 ft 160 m and Baltimore s Memorial Stadium 471 ft 144 m and was the first of four players to hit a ball over the left field roof at Detroit s Tiger Stadium Despite his nicknames and his powerful style of play Killebrew was a quiet kind man Asked once what hobbies he had Killebrew replied Just washing the dishes I guess 2 After retiring from baseball Killebrew became a television broadcaster for several baseball teams from 1976 to 1988 He also served as a hitting instructor for the Oakland Athletics Contents 1 Early life 2 Professional baseball career 2 1 Washington Senators 2 2 Minnesota Twins 2 2 1 1961 1965 2 2 2 1966 1969 2 2 3 1970 1974 2 3 Kansas City Royals 2 4 Career hitting statistics 2 5 Hall of Fame 2 6 Legacy 3 Post career 4 Personal life 5 See also 6 References 7 Bibliography 8 External linksEarly life EditBorn and raised in Payette Idaho Killebrew was youngest of four children of Harmon Clayton Sr and Katherine Pearl May Killebrew His father a painter and sheriff was a member of an undefeated Millikin College football team who was later named an All American under eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Greasy Neale 3 4 According to family legend Harmon Killebrew s grandfather was the strongest man in the Union Army winning every available heavyweight wrestling championship 4 Clayton encouraged Harmon and his brothers to stay active in various sports before his sudden death in 1953 at age 59 4 As a child Killebrew played baseball at Walter Johnson Memorial Field named after the Hall of Fame pitcher who spent part of his childhood in Idaho 5 He worked as a farmhand in his youth lifting ten gallon milk cans each weighing about 95 pounds 43 kg 1 Killebrew earned 12 letters in various sports and was named an All American quarterback at Payette High School the school retired his uniform number 3 6 He was offered an athletic scholarship by the University of Oregon but declined the offer 7 In the early 1950s Senator Herman Welker of Idaho told Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith about Killebrew who was hitting for an 847 batting average for a semi professional baseball team at the time 5 8 Griffith told his farm director Ossie Bluege about the tip and Bluege flew to Idaho to watch Killebrew play 9 The Boston Red Sox also expressed interest but Bluege succeeded in signing him to a 50 000 504 523 today contract on June 19 1954 6 8 10 Professional baseball career EditWashington Senators Edit Killebrew signed his contract under Major League Baseball MLB s Bonus Rule which required that he spend two full seasons on the major league roster 8 He made his major league debut four days after signing and six days from his 18th birthday becoming the youngest active player in the majors at the time running for pinch hitter Clyde Vollmer who had been hit by a pitch with the bases loaded by Chicago White Sox starter Jack Harshman 11 12 On August 23 1954 Killebrew made his first start in the second game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics hitting two singles and a double as the Senators won 10 3 13 A year and one day after making his major league debut Killebrew hit his first major league home run on June 24 1955 in the fifth inning off Detroit Tigers starter Billy Hoeft five days shy of his 19th birthday 14 In his first two seasons Killebrew struck out 34 times in only 93 at bats contributing to a 215 batting average with four home runs 8 Killebrew also had defensive difficulties at third base where he played behind veteran Eddie Yost 8 Killebrew with the Senators in 1959 When Killebrew s bonus period expired in 1956 he was sent to the Senators minor league affiliate in Charlotte of the South Atlantic League 15 He returned to the majors in early May On May 29 after being forced into action when regular second baseman Pete Runnels was injured early in a game against the Orioles Killebrew hit two home runs including only the second ball ever hit over a wire barrier in Baltimore s Memorial Stadium s center field 16 17 Killebrew had a 115 average through June 16 and as a result was sent back to Charlotte he finished the season there with a 325 batting average and 15 home runs in 70 games 16 18 Killebrew spent most of the 1957 season with the Southern Association s Chattanooga Lookouts where he hit a league high 29 home runs with 101 RBIs and was named to the All Star Game 18 19 While in Chattanooga Killebrew became the only player to hit a home run over the center field wall at Engel Stadium 471 feet 144 m from home plate 20 In 1958 he was briefly promoted to Indianapolis of the American Association but struggled and was sent back to Chattanooga for most of the season 19 Killebrew finished the season with 38 games played in Indianapolis and 86 in Chattanooga where he hit 308 with 17 home runs 18 He also played a combined 22 games for the Senators in 1957 and 1958 12 Calvin Griffith took over the Senators after his uncle Clark Griffith died in 1955 and decided Killebrew was ready to become the Senators regular third baseman Griffith traded the 32 year old Eddie Yost to the Detroit Tigers on December 6 1958 and Killebrew became the starting third baseman 8 21 From May 1 to May 17 he had five multi home run games and his first five RBI game on May 12 8 With 28 home runs by mid season he started the first 1959 All Star Game and was a reserve in the second Killebrew attracted so much attention in Washington that he was visited by President Dwight D Eisenhower who frequently attended games 22 and Griffith turned down a 500 000 offer for Killebrew from the Cincinnati Reds 22 Killebrew finished the season with 42 home runs to tie for the American League lead it also tied the Senators single season record set by his teammate Roy Sievers two years earlier 8 23 Although 1959 proved his breakout season he was ineligible for the Rookie of the Year Award because of his previous sparse experience Instead the award went to teammate Bob Allison 24 Killebrew was bothered by injury early in the 1960 season In March he had surgery for nasal irritation 25 and a recurring hamstring injury caused him to miss most of May 26 On his return he remained in the lineup for the rest of the season finishing the year with 31 home runs in 124 games 12 15 Killebrew s arrival and home runs did little to improve the Senators record as they finished in the second division of the American League every year he played for Washington including four years in last place 27 After the 1960 season the Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins Edit 1961 1965 Edit Killibrew hits a single at Metropolitan Stadium on July 30 1964 driving in Tony Oliva 28 For the franchise s first year in Minnesota Killebrew was named team captain by manager Cookie Lavagetto 29 He responded by hitting 46 home runs breaking the franchise record he had tied two years earlier 23 Among his other production Killebrew drove in a team leading 122 RBIs posted a career best batting average of 288 and had a slugging percentage of over 600 for the only time in his career In addition he had a career high seven triples tying for the team lead and led the Twins in runs total bases and walks 12 15 On June 12 1961 Killebrew had the only five hit game of his career though in a losing effort 30 Killebrew was named to both 1961 All Star games He did not play in the second but in the first he hit a pinch hit home run in the sixth inning 31 After the season ended Killebrew took part in a home run hitting contest with Jim Gentile and Roger Maris whose 61 home runs that year broke the single season record Killebrew hit 20 to win the contest 32 After his seven triple season his speed began to decrease and he could no longer regularly score triples due to pulling his quadriceps during the 1962 season 33 Killebrew moved to left field where he started off the season slowly He hit under 200 in both April and June and because of this Killebrew was not selected to play in either 1962 All Star Game the last season he was not named an All Star before 1972 12 34 On July 18 in a game against the Cleveland Indians Killebrew and Bob Allison became the first teammates since 1890 to hit grand slams in the same inning as the Twins scored 11 runs in the first 15 35 Over the course of the season Killebrew hit 48 home runs 126 RBIs and had 107 walks all career highs at the time 12 No one else in the AL managed even 40 home runs and he also led the league in RBIs 36 Killebrew s 48 home runs also broke the franchise record for the second year in a row 23 Not all his stats were positive Killebrew s batting average dropped from 288 in 1961 to 243 and he struck out a career worst 142 times leading the AL 12 Killebrew s efforts were rewarded in 1963 when he agreed to a contract for about 40 000 354 043 today 37 He started the season off slowly and he missed the second half of April and early May due to a right knee injury that was slow to heal 38 Killebrew continued his hitting prowess for the Twins upon his return and at one point led them on a six game winning streak 39 On September 21 Killebrew hit three home runs in a game for the only time in his career in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox 30 40 Killebrew finished the season with a 258 batting average 45 home runs and 96 RBI and led the league in home runs and slugging percentage 555 12 He had surgery on his troublesome right knee after the season ended 41 Having played left field for the previous three years with a below average throwing arm the additional complication of Killebrew s knee surgery necessitated a move to the infield For the remainder of his career he played only 19 games in the outfield 12 33 42 He finished the 1964 season with a 270 batting average 49 home runs and 111 RBI he led the AL in home runs for the third consecutive year 12 The Twins finally won the American League pennant during the 1965 season On July 11 the day before the All Star break the defending AL champion Yankees had a one run lead over the Twins going into the bottom of the 9th inning but Killebrew hit a two run home run for the win 43 Two days later Killebrew started the All Star Game at his home field Metropolitan Stadium and hit a game tying two run home run erasing what had been a 5 0 National League lead 44 Elected to play first base on his fifth All Star team Killebrew became the first player in All Star game history to be elected at three different positions having previously been selected to play third base 1959 and 1961 and left field 1963 and 1964 45 Killebrew in 1965 Killebrew drove in the tying or winning run seven times in 1965 before suffering an injury on August 2 46 During a game against the Orioles Twins third baseman Rich Rollins made a poor throw to first and while trying to save the play Killebrew collided with the runner and dislocated his elbow putting him out of action until mid September 47 48 49 Despite his absence the Twins had a win loss record of 28 19 and even extended their first place lead 46 50 Killebrew ended the regular season with 25 home runs and 75 RBI his lowest numbers in a full season due to the injury 12 In the 1965 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Killebrew and Zoilo Versalles led the Twins with 286 batting averages and Killebrew hit a home run off Don Drysdale in Game 4 Minnesota was shut out in three games and the Dodgers won the series in seven 51 1966 1969 Edit At the start of the 1966 season Killebrew hit few home runs halfway through May he had hit only two his lowest total at that point of a season since 1960 when he had missed the first two months of the season 52 He later increased his tally to 39 and finished the season with a 281 batting average and 110 RBIs He led the AL with 103 walks and finished 4th in Most Valuable Player Award MVP voting after Frank Robinson Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell 12 53 of the American League leading Baltimore Orioles During the 1967 season Killebrew hit the then longest home run recorded at Metropolitan Stadium a June 3 shot off Lew Burdette in the 4th inning that landed in the second deck of the bleachers 54 The Twins led by Killebrew were in the pennant race throughout the season and had a one game lead as the final two games of the season began against the Boston Red Sox Having to win only once to clinch the pennant Killebrew hit a home run in the first game and recorded two hits in each game but Boston won twice and Minnesota finished in a second place tie with the Detroit Tigers 55 Killebrew finished the season with a 269 batting average and 113 RBIs tied AL Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski with 44 home runs and led the league with 131 walks 12 He also finished a distant second in MVP voting to the Boston star 56 In April 1968 Killebrew served as a prosecution witness in a case where his name was being used to fraudulently sell stocks in Idaho 57 The baseball season proved unsuccessful for Killebrew whose batting average barely passed 200 most of the year after a strong start he hit below 200 in both May and June and his average stood at 204 with 13 home runs going into the all star break 58 59 Even so he was selected as the starting first baseman in the All Star Game and Killebrew said that owing to his poor start he was surprised and embarrassed by the selection 60 During the third inning of the game he stretched for a ball thrown by shortstop Jim Fregosi his foot slipped and he did the splits rupturing his left medial hamstring He was carried from the field by a stretcher At the time the injury was considered career threatening but after missing about six weeks he returned to limited action in September 61 62 After enduring seven months of rehabilitation for his injury Killebrew remained in pain but rebounded to have his best season in 1969 44 On July 5 Killebrew set a career high with six RBIs in a game against the Oakland Athletics 30 63 On September 7 he topped that mark with a three run homer and a grand slam in the first two innings leading the team to another defeat of the Athletics 30 64 Killebrew led the best offense in the league and rookie manager Billy Martin s Twins won the new American League West division as a result 65 For the season Killebrew set career highs in RBIs runs walks and on base percentage tied his career high with 49 home runs and even registered eight of his 19 career stolen bases en route to winning his only Most Valuable Player Award 44 Playing in all 162 games he led the majors in home runs and RBI 140 while leading the AL in on base percentage 427 walks 145 and intentional walks 20 12 66 As of 2021 Killebrew s home run RBI and walk totals from 1969 remain team records 15 and his 145 walks are tied for the 20th highest single season total in MLB history and 7th highest for a right handed batter 67 In the 1969 American League Championship Series the Baltimore Orioles used their pitching staff the best in the league to defeat Minnesota and win the series three games to none 61 Baltimore avoided Killebrew by walking him six times in the three games to avoid pitching to him which was as many times as they walked the rest of the Twins team 68 1970 1974 Edit After his MVP season Killebrew signed a new contract with the Twins worth 90 000 627 995 today 69 He was set to lead a team that had undergone a lot of change Killebrew was one of only four Twins remaining from the 1965 pennant winning club 70 He spent most of the season s first half continuing his success and found Baltimore s Brooks Robinson rivalling him for the third base spot during the All Star voting process the two were neck and neck throughout 71 He continued his success through the second half of the year and at season s end had hit 41 home runs with 113 RBIs and finished third in MVP voting behind teammate and runner up Tony Oliva and Baltimore s Boog Powell 72 In a rematch of the previous season the Twins again faced Powell and the Orioles in the 1970 American League Championship Series Killebrew upped his performance and hit two home runs in three games but Minnesota was again swept 73 Killebrew reached 40 home runs in a season for the final time in 1970 and also made his last appearance in the postseason His contract continued to grow in value though and before the 1971 season began he was awarded the first 100 000 669 104 today contract in Twins history 74 Killebrew appeared in his last All Star Game in 1971 hitting a two run home run off Ferguson Jenkins to provide the margin of victory for the AL 12 75 He finished the season with a 254 batting average 114 walks 119 RBI the latter two of which led the league and 28 home runs 12 Killebrew hit his 498th home run on June 22 1971 but a sprained right toe made his run to milestone number 500 a slow one He hit number 499 more than a month later and finally hit number 500 off a Mike Cuellar slow curveball in the first inning of an August 10 home game at the time he was the 10th player in history to hit 500 home runs He then wasted no time in hitting number 501 knocking a Cuellar fastball over the fences later in the same game 66 76 Killebrew s number 3 was retired by the Minnesota Twins in 1975 In 1972 Killebrew showed signs of slowing down He missed his first All Star Game since 1962 but instead of expressing disappointment in his streak ending he noted that Twins shortstop Danny Thompson should have had the opportunity to play instead Thompson mentioned the same thing about Killebrew 77 Despite not making the team Killebrew s home run total continued to climb and by the end of July he had Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle s career marks in his sights 78 he went on to pass both in August Killebrew finished the season with a 231 batting average 26 home runs and 74 RBIs 12 There were questions about Killebrew s health as the 1973 season began as he had surgery twice during the offseason to fix leg problems 79 He played through the first half of the season but an injury to his left knee on June 25 sidelined him A month later the injury had not cleared up and he underwent surgery to remove some torn cartilage he did not return to the lineup until mid September 80 Killebrew played in only 69 games that season hitting five home runs 12 Fully recovered for the 1974 season Killebrew made his mark early on hitting two home runs in a May 5 match against the Detroit Tigers the second was career home run number 550 81 In his honor the Twins held Harmon Killebrew Day in August when it was announced that they would retire his number Killebrew responded by leading the Twins to a 5 4 victory over the Orioles 82 He finished the season with a 222 batting average 13 home runs and 54 RBIs 12 In December 1974 he was given the option of staying with the Twins as a coach and batting instructor managing the AAA Tacoma Twins or being released 83 He chose to be released ending his 21 season tenure with the Twins 12 Kansas City Royals Edit On January 24 1975 eight days after getting his release from the Twins Killebrew signed a one year contract with the Kansas City Royals During his return to Minnesota in early May the Twins formally retired his No 3 jersey In that game Killebrew hit a home run against his former teammates and received a standing ovation from the crowd 84 In 106 games with the Royals he had a batting average of 199 14 home runs and 44 RBIs 12 At the end of the season the Royals released Killebrew 85 In March 1976 he formally announced his retirement and said he would become an announcer and color commentator for Twins games At the time of his retirement he was fifth all time on the home run list 86 Career hitting statistics Edit 12 Games At bats Runs Hits 2B 3B HR RBI BA OBP SLGTotals 2435 8147 1283 2086 290 24 573 1584 256 376 509Hall of Fame Edit Killebrew was first eligible for the Hall of Fame in 1981 and received 239 votes or 59 6 of the vote 75 of the vote is required for induction 87 While he did hit 573 home runs 5th all time when he left the game he amassed a relatively low hit total 2086 given the years he played combined with a high number of strikeouts 1699 and a 256 batting average In 1982 Killebrew received 59 3 of the vote taking a backseat to Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson who made it in their first year of eligibility 87 After receiving 71 9 of the vote in 1983 Killebrew said not getting in that year was more difficult to accept than the previous two times and asked Why do the writers feel there only has to be a certain number inducted each time 88 In 1984 Killebrew received 83 1 of the vote and was elected to the Hall in his fourth year of eligibility joining Luis Aparicio and Don Drysdale as electees 87 Legacy Edit Killebrew can knock the ball out of any park including Yellowstone Paul Richards Baltimore Orioles manager 1959 89 Killebrew hit 573 home runs 12th all time drove in 1 584 RBIs and had 1 559 15th all time bases on balls during his career 90 91 He is also the all time home run record holder among players born in Idaho Vance Law is second He also finished with the record of having the most plate appearances 9 831 in his career without a sacrifice hit since broken by Frank Thomas with 10 074 plate appearances 12 92 Mall of America entrance and Killebrew Drive Reggie Jackson once said If Harmon Killebrew isn t the league s best player I ve never seen one The street along the south side of the Mall of America the former site of Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington Minnesota is named Killebrew Drive in his honor Banners that hung above the Metrodome s outfield upper deck resembling baseball cards showed the retired numbers Killebrew 3 Rod Carew 29 Tony Oliva 6 Kent Hrbek 14 and Kirby Puckett 34 In 1999 he was ranked 69th on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players 93 and nominated as a finalist for Major League Baseball s All Century Team 94 When the Twins moved to Target Field in 2010 Gate 3 on the southeast center field side of the stadium was named in his honor There are also corresponding gates for the team s other retired numbers Killebrew Canyon at Heavenly Mountain Resort is also named after Killebrew who skied the resort s outer limits after his retirement from baseball 95 Despite rumors that Killebrew is the player depicted in the Major League Baseball logo according to the creator Jerry Dior it was not patterned after any specific player 96 97 Killebrew is the model for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association an organization he helped found in 1982 97 Killebrew was known as an all around gentleman during his playing career He s one of the greatest of all time 66 He was even noted as being kind to the umpires The Killer was one of the most feared sluggers in baseball history but he was also one of the nicest people ever to play the game He was one of the few players who would go out of his way to compliment umpires on a good job even if their calls went against him I d call a tough strike on him and he would turn around and say approvingly Good call And he was the same way in the field And he never did this to get help on close plays as some players do The man hit 573 major league home runs and no umpire ever swung a bat for him Ron Luciano Umpire Strikes Back page 59 98 Killebrew s red bleacher seat showing where his 520 foot 160 m home run was hit overlooking the flume ride at the Mall of America s Nickelodeon Universe in Bloomington Minnesota Killebrew was known for his quick hands and exceptional upper body strength demonstrated by frequent tape measure home runs he hit in the prime of his career Killebrew said his first home run in the Majors was his favorite coming off Billy Hoeft at Griffith Stadium He said of it Frank House was the catcher When I came to the plate he said Kid we re going to throw you a fastball I didn t know whether to believe him or not I hit it out It was one of the longest home runs I ever hit As I crossed the plate House said That s the last time I ever tell you what pitch is coming 1 On August 3 1962 he was the first batter ever to hit a baseball over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium 99 a seldom reached target as contrasted with the old ballpark s smaller right field area Only three others accomplished this feat during the next 37 seasons before the stadium closed 100 On May 24 1964 Harmon hit the longest measured homer at Baltimore s Memorial Stadium 471 feet 144 m to deep left center The ball landed in the far reaches of the bleachers 101 The only player to hit one completely out of the Orioles stadium was Frank Robinson in 1966 his blast was reported as about 451 feet 137 m or about 20 feet 6 m less than Killebrew s 102 On June 3 1967 Killebrew hit a 520 foot 158 m home run the longest measured home run ever hit at Metropolitan Stadium and as of 2022 the longest in Twins history 54 103 That event is commemorated at the Mall of America in Bloomington which includes a plaque marking home plate and one red painted seat from the Met which was placed at the location and elevation of the landing spot of the home run 54 Target Field had a statue of a Gold Glove outside Gate 34 that was exactly 520 feet 158 m from Target Field s home plate 104 It was moved to another location after the Twins created the Gate 34 experience 105 Post career Edit Killebrew in 2007 Following his retirement Killebrew was a television broadcaster for the Twins at WTCN TV from 1976 to 1978 the Oakland Athletics from 1979 to 1982 the California Angels in 1983 and back with Minnesota from 1984 to 1988 106 107 108 While with Oakland he also served as a major and minor league hitting instructor 109 In the late 1980s Killebrew had financial problems In July 1988 his house went into foreclosure and in 1989 the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that he had fallen 700 000 into debt 85 110 He also divorced his first wife of more than 30 years Elaine Killebrew nee Roberts whom he had married in 1955 110 111 Soon after Killebrew s health failed In May 1990 he was rushed to the hospital with a collapsed lung and damaged esophagus 112 Together with a subsequent abscess and staph infection Killebrew endured three surgeries and nearly died He used a wheelchair for some time post surgery By December 1990 his health had improved and he married Nita Patten 85 112 Killebrew was involved in a Boise Idaho insurance and securities business 108 He moved to Scottsdale Arizona in 1990 where he chaired the Harmon Killebrew Foundation which he created in 1998 108 113 Killebrew founded the Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament now titled the Killebrew Thompson Memorial in 1977 with former Idaho congressman Ralph Harding which is played annually in late August in Sun Valley Idaho and has donated more than 15 6 million to leukemia and cancer research Thompson was a Twins teammate who continued his major league career while suffering from leukemia he died in December 1976 at the age of 29 114 Personal life EditDespite his nicknames and style of play Killebrew was considered by his colleagues to be a quiet kind man 115 While still an active major leaguer Killebrew became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and never smoked or drank 116 He was once asked in an interview what hobbies he had to which he replied Just washing the dishes I guess 2 On December 29 2010 Killebrew announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and started treatment 117 118 On May 13 2011 a Minnesota Twins press release reported he was ceasing treatment and entering hospice care because his illness had progressed beyond his doctors expectation of cure 119 To honor Killebrew the Twins wore their 1961 throwback alternate jerseys at home for the remainder of the 2011 season 120 he was also honored by the Washington Nationals who hung a jersey with Killebrew s name and number 3 in their home dugout 121 Killebrew died on May 17 2011 at his home in Scottsdale at the age of 74 122 He was interred at Riverside Cemetery in Payette Idaho 123 Following his death the Twins released the following statement No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins Territory than Harmon Killebrew Harmon will long be remembered as one of the most prolific home run hitters in the history of the game and the leader of a group of players who helped lay the foundation for the long term success of the Twins franchise and Major League Baseball in the Upper Midwest However more importantly Harmon s legacy will be the class dignity and humility he demonstrated each and every day as a Hall of Fame quality husband father friend teammate and man Twins President Dave St Peter Star Tribune 124 See also Edit Biography portal Baseball portal500 home run club List of baseball players who went directly to Major League Baseball List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders List of Major League Baseball home run records Major League Baseball titles leadersReferences Edit a b c Goldstein Richard May 17 2011 Harmon Killebrew Twins Hall of Fame Slugger Dies at 74 The New York Times Archived from the original on February 8 2016 Retrieved May 17 2011 a b Heilman Barbara April 8 1963 Out Of The Park On A Half Swing Sports Illustrated 18 14 85 92 Retrieved June 29 2020 a b Porter p 807 a b c Thielman p 132 a b Thielman p 131 a b Thielman p 134 Porter pp 807 808 a b c d e f g h Porter p 808 Thielman p 133 Senators Pay 50 000 To First Bonus Player The New York Times June 20 1954 p 3 June 23 1954 Senators at White Sox Box Score and Play by Play Baseball Reference com Archived from the original on December 29 2010 Retrieved May 19 2011 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Harmon Killebrew Statistics Baseball Reference Archived from the original on July 1 2008 Retrieved June 28 2008 Povich Shirley September 1 1954 Kid Killebrew Shines at Bat in Bow as Nat The Sporting News 6 June 24 1955 Tigers at Senators Play by Play and Box Score Baseball Reference Archived from the original on July 9 2011 Retrieved May 19 2011 a b c d e Minnesota Twins Retired numbers 3 Harmon Killebrew MLB com Archived from the original on June 29 2008 Retrieved July 23 2008 a b The 1956 WAS A Regular Season Batting Log for Harmon Killebrew Retrosheet Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved June 28 2008 Thielman p 136 a b c Harmon Killebrew Minor League Statistics amp History Baseball Reference Archived from the original on May 22 2011 Retrieved September 3 2010 a b Thielman p 137 Murrell I C Harmon Killebrew Baseball s killer The Idaho Press Tribune Archived from the original on June 18 2008 Retrieved July 13 2008 Eddie Yost Statistics Baseball Reference com Archived from the original on June 22 2008 Retrieved June 28 2008 a b Allen p 76 a b c Club home run leaders Season Baseball Digest 62 6 80 June 2003 Archived from the original on August 11 2020 Retrieved July 20 2008 Thielman p 143 Killebrew to Undergo Knife Gadsden Times March 27 1960 p 6 To Complete the Report Chicago Tribune May 12 1960 p D3 Minnesota Twins History amp Encyclopedia Baseball Reference Archived from the original on March 2 2011 Retrieved June 29 2008 Baltimore Orioles at Minnesota Twins Box Score July 30 1964 Baseball Reference Retrieved October 3 2022 Thielman p 16 a b c d Top Performances for Harmon Killebrew Retrosheet Archived from the original on April 15 2013 Retrieved July 20 2008 July 11 1961 All Star Game Play By Play Baseball Reference Archived from the original on April 28 2011 Retrieved May 17 2011 Killebrew Puts Maris In Shade In Homer Derby Lewiston Morning Tribune October 16 1961 p 6 a b Thielman p 146 The 1962 MIN A Batting Splits for Harmon Killebrew Retrosheet Archived from the original on April 15 2013 Retrieved July 15 2008 Minnesota Twins 14 Cleveland Indians 3 Retrosheet Archived from the original on April 15 2013 Retrieved July 26 2008 1962 American League Expanded Leaderboards Baseball Reference Archived from the original on July 15 2008 Retrieved July 15 2008 Harmon Killebrew Okays Record Senators Pact The Hartford Courant February 18 1963 p 18A Twins Bench Killebrew and 105 Bat Chicago Tribune April 16 1963 p B1 Hackleman Jim June 29 1963 Killebrew on Hit Spree The Portsmouth Times p 11 Minnesota Twins 13 Boston Red Sox 4 1 Retrosheet Archived from the original on April 15 2013 Retrieved July 20 2008 Harmon Killebrew Has Knee Surgery Lewiston Morning Tribune December 13 1963 p 14 Thielman p 145 Thielman pp 128 130 a b c Allen p 79 Neal III Lavelle E May 18 2011 Killebrew was Paul Bunyan with a uniform on Star Tribune Archived from the original on May 20 2011 Retrieved May 18 2011 a b Thielman p 102 Minnesota Twins 6 Baltimore Orioles 5 Retrosheet Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved June 29 2008 The 1965 MIN A Regular Season Batting Log for Harmon Killebrew Retrosheet Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved June 29 2008 Thielman pp 169 170 1965 Minnesota Twins Schedule Baseball Reference Archived from the original on August 29 2008 Retrieved June 29 2008 1965 World Series LAD vs MIN Baseball Reference com Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on October 3 2009 Retrieved July 4 2008 Harmon Killebrew Off to Slow Start in Home Run Department St Joseph News Press May 19 1966 p 6D Baseball Awards Voting for 1966 Baseball Reference com Archived from the original on February 23 2009 Retrieved July 4 2008 a b c Rushin pp 195 196 1967 Minnesota Twins Schedule Baseball Reference Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on July 26 2008 Retrieved July 4 2008 Baseball Awards Voting for 1967 Baseball Reference Archived from the original on February 12 2010 Retrieved July 4 2008 Killebrew Testifies at Boise Fraud Trial Year Lewiston Morning Tribune April 10 1968 p 15 The 1968 MIN A Batting Splits for Harmon Killebrew Retrosheet Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved July 1 2008 The 1968 MIN A Regular Season Batting Log for Harmon Killebrew Retrosheet Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved July 1 2008 Elliot Jim June 28 1968 Killebrew Finds Choice Surprise The Baltimore Sun p C1 a b Armour p 192 Killebrew Out for 6 8 Weeks With Injury Los Angeles Times July 11 1968 p D18 Minnesota Twins 13 Oakland 1 Retrosheet Archived from the original on April 15 2013 Retrieved July 21 2008 Minnesota Twins 16 Oakland Athletics 4 Retrosheet Archived from the original on April 15 2013 Retrieved July 21 2008 1969 Minnesota Twins Batting Pitching and Fielding Statistics Baseball Reference Archived from the original on August 8 2011 Retrieved June 30 2011 a b c Allen p 80 Single Season Leaders amp Records for Bases on Balls Baseball Reference com Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on April 28 2011 Retrieved May 18 2011 1969 AL Championship Series BAL vs MIN Baseball Reference Archived from the original on June 22 2008 Retrieved July 4 2008 Frank Robinson Killebrew Sign Up The Free Lance Star February 26 1970 p 5 Armour p 193 Harmon Brooks Battle For Third Spartanburg Herald Journal June 20 1970 p 9 Baseball Awards Voting for 1970 Baseball Reference Archived from the original on February 22 2009 Retrieved July 4 2008 1970 AL Championship Series BAL vs MIN Baseball Reference com Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on June 23 2008 Retrieved July 4 2008 100 000 Pact For Killebrew Daytona Beach Morning Journal February 17 1971 p 7 American League 6 National League 4 Retrosheet Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved July 6 2008 Baltimore Orioles 4 Minnesota Twins 3 Retrosheet Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved July 6 2008 Killebrew Not Upset Over Star Deletion Schenectady Gazette July 25 1972 p 16 Harmon eyes Foxx and Mantle The Calgary Herald July 24 1972 p 17 Health of Killebrew Oliva Keys To Twins Chances in AL West The Morning Record March 26 1973 p 13 Surgery Sidelines Harmon Killebrew For Six Weeks Lewiston Morning Tribune July 24 1973 p 14 Harmon Killebrew Still Has His Big Moments The Evening News May 6 1974 p 8B Killebrew Says Thanks With Bat The Milwaukee Journal August 12 1974 p 12 Griffith Offers 3 Options Spartanburg Herald Journal December 13 1974 p 9 Killebrew Connects in Return to Minn The Nevada Daily Mail May 5 1975 p 8 a b c Allen p 81 Harmon Killebrew Retires Broadcasting Career Next Lakeland Ledger March 4 1976 p 2B a b c Hall of Fame Votes By Player National Baseball Hall of Fame Archived from the original on June 9 2012 Retrieved July 5 2008 Reusse Patrick January 31 1983 Killebrew Faces More Frustration The Sporting News 43 Thursby Keith May 18 2001 Harmon Killebrew dies at 74 Hall of Famer was one of baseball s premier home run hitters Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on November 7 2012 Retrieved July 2 2011 Career Leaders amp Records for Bases on Balls Baseball Reference Archived from the original on October 21 2012 Retrieved May 18 2011 Players by birthplace Idaho Baseball Stats and Info Baseball Reference com Archived from the original on November 13 2012 Retrieved August 5 2009 Frank Thomas Statistics and History Baseball Reference com Archived from the original on March 1 2014 Retrieved June 30 2011 Baseball s 100 Greatest Players The Sporting News 20 April 1999 All Century Team final voting ESPN com Associated Press October 23 1999 Archived from the original on June 19 2009 Retrieved March 5 2009 Heavenly Resort turns 50 Reno Gazette November 13 2005 p E1 Davis David October 23 2008 The Man Behind the MLB Logo The Wall Street Journal Archived from the original on June 2 2013 Retrieved June 30 2011 a b Campbell Dave May 19 2011 Legend of MLB logo Designer Says Not Killebrew ABC News Archived from the original on April 3 2012 Retrieved June 30 2011 Luciano Ron 1984 Umpire Strikes Back Bantam p 59 ISBN 978 0 553 24846 3 Killebrew hits 27th Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Associated Press August 4 1962 p 8 Pahigian and O Connell p 253 Baseball Today MLB com Archived from the original on October 26 2012 Retrieved August 22 2008 May 1966 Chronology Baseball Library Archived from the original on January 14 2008 Retrieved August 22 2008 Leboutillier p 28 Gabler Jean June 15 2011 Harmon Killebrew The Minnesota Twins say goodbye to a legend Twin Cities Daily Planet Archived from the original on June 18 2011 Retrieved June 17 2011 Collins Bob January 3 2019 Target Field s Gate 34 makeover Minnesota Public Radio Retrieved June 29 2020 Twins All Time Broadcasters MLB Advanced Media L P Archived from the original on November 3 2012 Retrieved September 3 2010 Baseball Hall of Fame Frick Voting Retired Broadcasters National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Archived from the original on July 21 2011 Retrieved September 3 2010 a b c Markoe p 515 Gammons Peter April 19 1981 Uneasy Peace on Sox Bench Boston Globe a b Kalb p 350 Dozer Richard August 16 1959 That s Harmon Killebrew Washington Senators 23 Year Old Home Run Hitter Chicago Tribune p F20 a b Kalb p 351 Harmon Killebrew Foundation The Lowertown Group Archived from the original on May 14 2008 Retrieved August 22 2008 Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament Danny Thompson Memorial Foundation Archived from the original on July 6 2008 Retrieved August 22 2008 Caple Jim May 17 2011 Harmon Killebrew was a treasure ESPN Archived from the original on November 7 2012 Retrieved July 4 2011 Miller Stephen May 18 2011 Modest Killer Let Bat Do His Talking The Wall Street Journal Archived from the original on November 11 2012 Retrieved May 19 2011 Twins great Harmon Killebrew diagnosed with cancer KARE December 30 2010 Archived from the original on September 13 2012 Retrieved December 30 2010 Harmon Killebrew says he has cancer ESPN com January 14 2011 Archived from the original on August 11 2014 Retrieved May 13 2011 Statement from Harmon Killebrew MLB com Press release May 13 2011 Archived from the original on May 16 2011 Retrieved May 13 2011 Rhett Bollinger May 14 2011 Twins vintage jerseys will honor Killebrew MLB com Archived from the original on May 20 2011 Retrieved May 17 2011 Boren Cindy May 16 2011 Nationals Twins pay tribute to Harmon Killebrew The Washington Post Archived from the original on November 13 2012 Retrieved August 22 2011 Harmon Killebrew dies at 74 ESPN com May 17 2011 Archived from the original on November 6 2012 Retrieved May 17 2011 Harmon C Killebrew Jr 29 Jun 1936 17 May 2011 BillionGraves com Retrieved September 16 2021 Quotes about the death of Twins great Harmon Killebrew Naples News May 17 2011 Archived from the original on April 3 2012 Retrieved June 30 2011 Bibliography Edit Allen Bob Bill Gilbert 2000 The 500 Home Run Club Baseball s 16 Greatest Home Run Hitters from Babe Ruth to Mark McGwire Champaign Illinois Sports Publishing ISBN 1 58261 289 7 Armour Mark L Daniel R Levitt 2004 Paths to Glory How Great Baseball Teams Got That Way Dulles Virginia Brassey s ISBN 1 57488 805 6 Kalb Elliott 2005 Who s Better Who s Best in Baseball New York McGraw Hill Professional ISBN 0 07 144538 2 Leboutillier Nate 2008 The Story of the Minnesota Twins Mankato Minnesota Creative Education ISBN 978 1 58341 493 4 Markoe Arnie 2002 The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives New York Charles Scribner s Sons ISBN 0 684 80665 7 Pahigian Josh Kevin O Connell 2004 The Ultimate Baseball Road trip A Fan s Guide to Major League Stadiums Guilford Connecticut Lyons Press ISBN 1 59228 159 1 Porter David L 2000 Biographical Dictionary of American Sports Westport Connecticut Greenwood Publishing Group ISBN 0 313 31175 7 Rushin Steve 2000 The Caddie Was a Reindeer And Other Tales of Extreme Recreation New York Atlantic Monthly Press ISBN 0 87113 878 6 Thielman Jim 2005 Cool of the Evening The 1965 Minnesota Twins Minneapolis Kirk House Publishers ISBN 1 886513 71 6 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harmon Killebrew Harmon Killebrew at the Baseball Hall of Fame Career statistics and player information from MLB or Baseball Reference or Fangraphs Harmon Killebrew at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Harmon Killebrew amp oldid 1151854576, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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