R.I.P. Harmon Killebrew

Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, who had been battling esophageal cancer until beginning hospice care on May 13th, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 17th. He was 74.  His nickname, Killer, came from his power hitting capabilities and was the opposite of his gentle, friendly nature.   Killebrew hit 573 home runs in a career that started with the old Washington Senators 1954.  He played for the Senators until 1961, when the franchise moved to Minnesota.  Killebrew played for the Twins from 1961 through 1974, and finished his career with the Kansas City Royals in 1975.

Killebrew led the American League in home runs six times from 1959 to 1969, and his 363 home runs in the 1960s were the most of any player for that decade.  His best all around year was 1969, when he hit 49 home runs and drove in 140, leading the AL in both categories.  The respect pitchers had for his ability is evident in the 145 walks he received that year, including 20 that were intentional.  Killebrew was voted the AL Most Valuable Player, getting 88% of the vote.  He was a power hitter from an era when a hitter’s power was generated by steak and potatoes and not by anabolic steroids. 

Speaking of potatoes, Killebrew was born in Payette, Idaho, in 1936.   He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.  His death is more bad news for a Minnesota Twins team that has several key injuries and is off to a horrible start.  Another one of the Nice Guys is gone. Rest in peace, Harmon.