Harmon Killebrew

At 74 years old, Harmon Killebrew has this physical status:

Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr. (June 29, 1936 – May 17, 2011), nicknamed "The Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmony," was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder.

Killebrew was a prolific power hitter during his 22-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB), mainly with the Minnesota Twins, who had the fourth most home runs in major league history.

He finished second only to Babe Ruth in American League (AL) home runs, and he was AL career leader in home runs by a right-handed batter.

In 1984, Killebrew was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Killebrew was a powerful 5-foot-11-inch (180 cm) tall, 213-pound (297 kg) hitter with a compact swing that gave off a lot of power.

He was one of the AL's most feared power hitters of the 1960s, hitting 40 home runs in a season eight times.

In 1965, he appeared in the World Series with the Twins, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His best season came in 1969, when he hit 49 home runs, added 140 runs batted in (RBIs), and received the AL Most Valuable Player Award.

Killebrew led the league six times in home runs and three times in RBIs, and was named to thirteen All-Star teams. Killebrew was known not only for his home runs but also for their distance.

He had the longest measured home runs at Minnesota's Metropolitan Stadium, 512 ft (144 m), and Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, 471 ft (144 m), and was the first of only four batters to reach a baseball at Detroit's Tiger Stadium, 520 ft (144 m).

Killebrew was considered by his coworkers to be a quiet, kind guy despite his nicknames and his vivacious style of play.

Killebrew replied, "I guess washing the dishes." Asked once what hobbies he had. "After retiring from baseball, Killebrew spent time as a television broadcaster for several baseball franchises from 1976 to 1988, as well as a Oakland Athletics hitting instructor."

Early life

Harmon Clayton Sr. and Katherine Pearl (May) Killebrew were born and raised in Payette, Idaho. His father, a painter and sheriff, was a founding 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. Harmon Killebrew's grandfather was the most successful heavyweight wrestling title in the Union Army, winning every available heavyweight wrestling championship, according to a family legend. Before his sudden death in 1953 at the age of 59, Clayton encouraged Harmon and his brothers to remain active in various sports.

Killebrew played baseball at Walter Johnson Memorial Field as an infant, named after the Hall of Fame pitcher who spent a portion of his childhood in Idaho. In his youth, he worked as a farmhand, raising ten-gallon milk cans, each weighing about 95 pounds (43 kg). Killebrew was honoured as an All-American quarterback at Payette High School, and he was made to wear a uniform. The University of Oregon had offered him an athletic scholarship, but he turned down the invitation.

Senator Herman Welker of Idaho told Washington Senator Clark Griffith about Killebrew, who was hitting for a.847 batting average for a semi-professional baseball team at the time. Griffith told his farm manager Ossie Bluege of the tip, and the Bluege went to Idaho to watch Killebrew play. The Boston Red Sox also expressed concern, but Bluege was able to sign him to a $50,000 ($504,523 today) deal on June 19, 1954.

Personal life

Despite his nicknames and style of play, Killebrew was considered by his coworkers to be a quiet, generous guy. Killebrew, a big leaguer, became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but never smoked or drank. In an interview, he was once asked what hobbies he had, to which he replied, "Just washing the dishes."

Killebrew revealed on December 29, 2010 that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and began therapy. A Minnesota Twins press release announced on May 13, 2011 that he was stopping medical therapy and entering hospice care because his illness had progressed beyond his doctors' expectations. The Twins wore their 1961 throwback alternate jerseys at home for the remainder of the 2011 season; the Washington Nationals also praised Killebrew's name and number 3 in their home dugout. Killebrew died on May 17, 2011, at the age of 74, at his Scottsdale home. He was laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Payette, Idaho.

Following his death, the Twins made the following statement:

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Professional baseball career

Killebrew signed his deal under the Mocking Rule, which mandated that he serve two years on the major leagues. 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), starting for pinch-hitter Clyde Vollmer, who had been hit by a pitch with the bases loaded by Chicago White Sox starter Jack Harshman. Killebrew made his first appearance in a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics on August 23, 1954, hitting two singles and a double as the Senators defeated, 10–3. Killebrew's first major league home run came on June 24, 1955, five days before his 19th birthday. Killebrew struck out 34 times in just 93 at bats in his first two seasons, leading to a.215 batting average with four home runs. At third base, where he fought alongside veteran Eddie Yost, the Killebrew also had defensive difficulties.

When Killebrew's service period ended in 1956, he was sent by the Senators' minor league affiliate in Charlotte, South Carolina. In early May, he returned to the majors. Killebrew's center field in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium was hit with two home runs on May 29, after being pulled into action early in a game against the Orioles. Killebrew's average was.115 throughout June 16, and as a result, he was sent back to Charlotte; he finished the season with a.325 batting average and 15 home runs in 70 games. Killebrew spent the majority of his 1957 season with the Chattanooga Lookouts in the Southern Association, where he hit a career-high 29 home runs with 101 RBIs and was named to the All-Star Game. Killebrew was the only player to hit a home run over Engel Stadium's center field wall, 471 feet (144 meters) from home plate while in Chattanooga, 44 m) from home plate. He was briefly promoted to Indianapolis, Indiana, by the American Association in 1958, but the season ended and he was sent back to Chattanooga. Killebrew played in 38 games in Indianapolis and 86 in Chattanooga, where he hit.308 with 17 home runs. He appeared in a total of 22 games for the Senators in 1957 and 1958.

Since his uncle Clark Griffith died in 1955, Calvin Griffith assumed responsibility for the Senators, but Killebrew decided to be the Senators' regular third baseman. On December 6, 1958, Griffith traded Eddie Yost, 32, to the Detroit Tigers, and Killebrew became the starting third baseman. He played five multi-home run games from May 1 to May 17 and his first five-RBI game on May 12. He appeared in the first 1959 All-Star Game and was a reserve in the second with 28 home runs by mid-season. Since being visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who regularly attended games, and Griffith declined a $500,000 bid for Killebrew from the Cincinnati Reds, Killebrew attracted so much attention in Washington. Killebrew finished the season with 42 home runs, tied for the American League lead; it also tied the Senators' single-season record set by teammate Roy Sievers two years ago. Despite the fact that 1959 was his breakout year, he was ineligible for the Rookie of the Year Award because of his prior sparse service. Rather, the award went to teammate Bob Allison.

Early in the 1960s, Killebrew was bothered by injury. He had nasal irritation in March and a recurring hamstring injury that required him to miss the majority of May. On his return to the field, he stayed in the lineup for the remainder of the season, leading to 31 home runs in 124 games. Killebrew's arrival and home runs did not do much to raise the Senators' record, who finished in the second division of the American League every year, including four years in last place. The Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins in 1960 after the 1960 season.

Killebrew was named team captain by manager Cookie Lavagetto for the franchise's first year in Minnesota. He retalled by hitting 46 home runs, breaking the franchise record he had set two years ago. Killebrew had a career-best batting average of.288 and a slugging percentage of over.600 for the first time in his career. In addition, he had a career-high seven triples, tied for the team's best, and led the Twins in runs, total bases, and walks. Killebrew's first five-hit game of his career was played on June 12, 1961, but it was in vain. Killebrew was selected to both 1961 and 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. Killebrew defeated Jim Gentile and Roger Maris in a home run hitting competition that ended the season; Killebrew defeated 20 runs in the tournament.

His velocity started to decline after his seven-triple season, and he could no longer score triples due to pulling his quadriceps during the 1962 season. Killebrew has departed to left field, where he began the season slowly. He scored below.200 in both April and June, but this Killebrew was not selected to play in either 1962 All-Star Game or the last season he was not named an All-Star. Killebrew and Bob Allison became the first teammates since 1890 to reach grand slams in the same inning when the Twins scored 11 runs in the first innings on July 18. Killebrew hit 48 home runs, 126 RBIs, and had 107 walks over the course of the season, all career highs at the time. No one else in the AL had more home runs and also led the league in RBIs. For the second year in a row, Killebrew's 48 home runs tied a franchise record. Not all his statistics were positive; Killebrew's batsman's average dropped from.288 to.243, and he led the AL in a career-worst 142 times.

In 1963, Killebrew's efforts were rewarded when he agreed to a deal worth around $40,000 ($354,043 today). He started the season slowly, and he missed the second half of April and early May due to a right knee injury that was slow to recover. On his return to the Twins, Killebrew maintained his hitting prowess, leading them on a six-game winning streak at one point. In the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox on September 21, Killebrew hit three home runs for the first time in his career. Killebrew finished the season with a.258 batting average, 45 home runs, and 96 RBI, as well as the league's highest home runs and slugging percentage (.555). After the season came, he underwent surgery on his troublesome right knee.

Killebrew's knee surgery necessitated a move to the infield after playing left field for the previous three years with a below-average throwing arm. He played just 19 games in the outfield for the remainder of his career. He finished the 1964 season with a.270 batting average, 49 home runs, and 111 RBI; for the third year in a row, he led the AL in home runs.

During the 1965 season, the Twins finally captured the American League pennant. On July 11, the defending AL champion Yankees had a one-run lead over the Twins going into the bottom of the 9th inning, but Killebrew ran a two-run home run for the victory. Killebrew launched the All-Star Game at his home field, Metropolitan Stadium, two days later, winning a game-tying two-run home run, erasing what had been a 5–0 National League lead. Killebrew was the first player to be elected at three different positions in All-Star games history, having previously been selected to play third base (1959 and 1961) and left field (1963 and 1964).

In 1965, the Killebrew rode in the tying or winning run seven times before suffering an injury on August 2. Rich Rollins, the third baseman of the Twins, made a bad throw to first, and while attempting to save the game, Killebrew collided with the runner and dislocated his elbow, taking him out of action until mid-September. Despite his absence, the Twins had a win-loss record of 28-19 and even extended their first place lead. Killebrew had 25 home runs and 75 RBI in the regular season, his lowest figures in a full season due to injury. Killebrew and Zoilo Versalles led the Twins with.286 batting averages, with Killebrew and Zoilo Versalles, and Killebrew struck a home run off Don Drysdale in Game 4. Minnesota was shut out in three games, and the Dodgers took the series in seven games.

Killebrew had few home runs at the start of the season in 1966; halfway through May, he had only two runs, his lowest total figure at this time since 1960, when he had missed the first two months of the season. He later boosted his tally to 39 while still finishing the season with a.281 batting average and 110 RBIs. Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Boog Powell of the American League's top Baltimore Orioles led the AL with 103 walks and finished fourth in Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) voting.

Killebrew's first home run at Metropolitan Stadium occurred in 1967, when they fired Lew Burdette off the field in the 4th inning, landing in the second deck of the bleachers. The Twins, led by Killebrew, had been in the pennant race all season and had a one-game lead in the final two games of the season against the Boston Red Sox. Killebrew had only won once to clinch the pennant, but Boston defeated twice and Minnesota finished in a second place tie with the Detroit Tigers, with Boston winning twice and Minnesota finishing in second place. Killebrew finished the season with a.269 batting average and 113 RBIs, tied AL Triple Crown champion Carl Yastrzemski with 44 home runs, and led the league in with 131 walks. He also came in second second in MVP voting to Boston's John Kerry.

Killebrew appeared in court in April 1968 when his name was used to fraudulently sell stocks in Idaho. Killebrew's baseball season was disappointing; he dropped below.200 in both May and June, and his all-star average stood at.204 in.204 going into the all-star break. Nonetheless, he was selected as the starting first baseman in the All-Star Game and Killebrew, who said he was "surprised" and "embarrassed" by the selection, despite that poor start. His foot slipped and he did the splits during the third inning of the game, rupturing his left medial hamstring. A stretcher carried him from the field. At the time, the injury was thought to be career-threatening, but after being out for about six weeks, he returned to limited involvement in September.

Killebrew stayed in pain after being out for seven months of recovery from his injury, but he returned to his best season since 1969. Killebrew scored six RBIs in a game against the Oakland Athletics on July 5, setting a new career record. He set the record of three runs homer and a grand slam in the first two innings on September 7, triggering the team's second defeat of the Athletics. Killebrew led the best offense in the league, and rookie Billy Martin's Twins won the new American League West division as a result.

Killebrew set career highs in RBIs, runs, walks, and on-base percentages, tying his career high with 49 home runs, while still missing eight of his 19 career stolen bases, en route to his first Most Valuable Player Award. He was a leader in home runs and RBI (140), while leading the AL in on-base percentage (4.47), walks (145), and intentional walks (20). Killebrew's home run, RBI, and walk totals from 1969 remain team records, and his 145 walks are among the 20th highest single season totals in MLB history and seventh highest for a right-handed batter. The Baltimore Orioles defeated Minnesota and lost the series three games to none in the 1969 American League Championship Series, the best in the league. Baltimore avoided Killebrew by walking him six times in the three games to prevent him from pitching to him, which was as many times as the Twins team walked.

Killebrew signed a new deal with the Twins worth $90,000 ($627,995 today), following his MVP season. Killebrew was expected to lead a team that had undergone a lot of changes; the 1965 pennant-winning team had only four Twins remaining; he was one of only four. Throughout the year, he spent the majority of his time in the first half of the season, and Brooks Robinson of Baltimore found him fighting for third base during the All-Star voting process; the two were neck-and-neck throughout. He continued his good play in the second half of the year, with 113 RBIs and finished third in MVP voting, behind teammate and runner-up Tony Oliva and Baltimore's Boog Powell. In a rematch of the previous season, the Twins will face Powell and the Orioles in the 1970 American League Championship Series. Killebrew stepped up his game and scored two home runs in three games, but Minnesota was defeated once more.

Killebrew played in 40 home runs in a season for the first time since 1970, as well as his last appearance in the postseason. His deal continued to increase in value, though, and before the 1971 season, he was granted the first $100,000 ($669,104 today) deal in Twins history. Killebrew's last All-Star Game in 1971 was held off Ferguson Jenkins to give the AL the advantage. He ended the season with a.254 batting average, 114 walks, 119 RBI, and 28 home runs. On June 22, 1971, Killebrew ran his 498th home run, but a sprained right toe made his run to the milestone number 500 a slow one. In the first inning of an August 10 home game, he was ranked 499 more than a month later and finally hit number 500 off a Mike Cuellar slow curveball; at the time, he was the 10th player in history to reach 500 home runs. In the ensuing game, he wasted no time in ratling a Cuellar fastball over the fences.

Killebrew was seen as sluggish in 1972. He skipped his first All-Star Game since 1962, but Thompson said the Twins shortstop Danny Thompson should have had the opportunity to play instead; Thompson wrote the same thing about Killebrew. Despite not making the team, Killebrew's home run total soared, and by the end of July, he had Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle's career marks in mind; he continued to pass both in August. Killebrew finished the season with a.231 batting average, 26 home runs, and 74 RBIs. Killebrew's health was questioned early in the 1973 season, after he underwent surgery twice to address leg pains during the offseason. He made it through the first half of the season, but his left knee injury on June 25 sidelined him. The injury had not resolved a month earlier, and he underwent surgery to repair some torn cartilage; he did not return to the field until mid-September. Killebrew played in only 69 games this season, with five of them going home.

Killebrew made his mark early on in a May 5 match against the Detroit Tigers, his second was his first home run number 550. The Twins celebrated Harmon Killebrew Day in August, the first time the Twins announced that they would no longer be named; Killebrew responded by leading the Twins to a 5–4 victory over the Orioles in honor. He finished the season with a.222 batting average, 13 home runs, and 54 RBIs. He was either staying with the Twins as a coach and batting instructor, directing the AAA Tacoma Twins, or being released. He wanted to be released, capping his 21-year with the Twins.

Killebrew signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals on January 24, 1975, eight days after being released from the Twins. The Twins officially retired his No. 61 during his return to Minnesota in early May. 3 Jersey is a jersey. Killebrew earned a standing ovation from the crowd as a result of his home run against his former coworkers in that game. He had a batting average of.199, 14 home runs, and 44 RBIs in 106 games with the Royals. Killebrew was announced by the Royals at the end of the season. He officially announced his resignation in March 1976 and said he'd be a announcer and color commentator for Twins games. He was fifth on the home run list at the time of his retirement.

Killebrew first applied for the Hall of Fame in 1981, receiving 239, or 56% of the vote; 75% of the vote is required for induction. Although he did reach 573 home runs (5th all-time) before leaving the game, he still had a modest hit total (2086), which combined with a high number of strikeouts (1699) and a.256 batting average. Killebrew gained 53% of the vote in 1982, behind Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson, who both made it in their first year of eligibility. Killebrew said not getting into that year was more difficult to accept than the previous two years, and asked, "Why do the writers believe there is only a certain number of people inducted each time?" after receiving 79% of the vote in 1983. Killebrew received 83.1% of the vote in 1984 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in his fourth year of eligibility, joining Luis Aparicio and Don Drysdale as electees.

During his career, Killebrew hit 573 home runs (12th all time), drove in 1,584 RBIs and had 1,559 (15th all time) bases on balls. He is also the all-time home run record holder for players born in Idaho; the second infraction is second. He also finished with the most plate appearances (9,831) in his career (since broken by Frank Thomas with 10,074 plate appearances).

"If Harmon Killebrew isn't the league's best player, I've never seen one," Reggie Jackson said once. In his honor, the street along the south side of Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, has been named "Killebrew Drive." The retired figures were shown by banners hanging above the Metrodome's outfield upper deck, resembling baseball cards: Killebrew (3), Rod Carew (29), Kent Hrbek (14) and Kirby Puckett (34). He was ranked 69th on the Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players in 1999 and was selected as a finalist for Major League Baseball's All-Century Team. In 2010, the Twins brought Gate 3 on the southeast (center field) side of the stadium in honor. In addition, there are also gates for the team's other recalled individuals. After Killebrew's release from baseball, the resort's outer limits were also named.

Despite rumors that Killebrew is the player depicted in the Major League Baseball logo, Jerry Dior, the designer, insists that it was not patterned after any particular player. Killebrew is the representative of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, which he helped found in 1982.

During his playing career, Killebrew was known as an all-around guy. "He's one of the finest of all time." He was even referred to as being kind to the umpires.

Killebrew was known for his quick hands and outstanding upper-body strength, as shown by his regular "tape measure" home runs during his career. Killebrew said his first home run in the Majors was his favorite, beating Billy Hoeft at Griffith Stadium. "Frank House was the catcher," he said of it. "Kid, we're going to throw you a fastball," he said as I came to the plate. I didn't know whether to believe him or not. I had to knock it out. It was one of the longest home runs I had ever seen. "It's the last time I ever tell you what pitch is coming," House Speaker Paul Ryan said as I crossed the plate.'

He was the first batter to strike a baseball over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium on August 3, 1962, a rarely recalled target despite the old ballpark's smaller right field area. During the next 37 seasons, only three others achieved this feat before the stadium was closed. Harmon's longest measured homer at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, 471 feet (144 m) to deep left center on May 24, 1964. The ball landed in the bleachers' far reaches. Frank Robinson, the only player to strike one completely out of the Orioles' stadium in 1966, died of a blast of about 451 feet (137 m), or about 20 feet (6 m) less than Killebrew's. Killebrew's longest measured home run ever hit at Metropolitan Stadium on June 3, 1967, and the longest in Twins history, at 2022. The family's return to Bloomington, Texas, is commemorated with a plaque commemorating home plate and one red-painted seat from the Met, which was placed at the location and elevation of the home run's landing site. Outside Gate 34, a Gold Glove statue stood out at a distance of Target Field's home plate. After the Twins introduced the Gate 34 experience, it was relocated to another location.

Post-career

Killebrew, a television broadcaster for the Twins from 1976 to 1978, was a television broadcaster for the Minnesota Athletics from 1979 to 1982, and the Minnesota Angels from 1984 to 1988. He also worked as a major- and minor-league hitting instructor while at Oakland. Killebrew had financial difficulties in the late 1980s. His house went into foreclosure in July 1988, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune announced that he had fallen $700,000 into debt in 1989. Elaine Killebrew née Roberts, who had married in 1955, divorced his first wife of more than 30 years. Killebrew's health worsened soon after. He was admitted to the hospital in May 1990 with a collapsed lung and a cracked esophagus. Killebrew underwent three surgeries and almost died as a result of a subsequent absces and staph infection. Post-surgery, he used a wheelchair for a period of time. His health had improved by December 1990, and Nita Patten married him.

Killebrew was active in the insurance and banking industries in Boise, Idaho. In 1990, he moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he chaired the Harmon Killebrew Foundation, which he founded in 1998. Killebrew created the Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament, now named the Killebrew-Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament, which is played annually in Sun Valley, Idaho, and has contributed more than $25.6 million to leukemia and cancer research. Thompson, a Minnesota teammate who died of leukemia in December 1976 at the age of 29.

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