A sad day for the MN Twins and baseball fans every where

Plymouth · Post by **Plymouth** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:28 am

Harmon Killebrew has entered hospice care.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... n&c_id=min

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri May 13, 2011 5:57 am

A VERY sad day and I was just going to post this. Let's all say a prayer for this classy guy and his wife.

In 2005 we invited Harmon Killebrew to be our guest speaker at the Fantasy Sports Trade Conference in Las Vegas and he agreed to speak. It was at the Flamingo and Harmon said he would speak but only if we got him a room at the Mirage because his wife just loved that hotel. I had no problem with that request as he also requested that we pick up airline tickets for himself and his wife. It was only from Phoenix, so it was easy but he did it more because he wanted to be with his wife during all of this rather than just flying up, speaking and flying out. I loved that about him.

He gave a great speech, did Q&A with industry leaders for a long time and sat around afterwards to take pictures and talk some more. I sat next to him during dinner and just enjoyed the whole conversation. He was a true gentleman and a great, great hitter. Look up his stats and you'll be amazed at what this guy did. He still has powerful forearms and the competitive desire.

I wish Harmon best of luck and will always remember the time he took to talk baseball with us six years ago. What a great man and what a class act.

This is the statement released by Killebrew:

“It is with profound sadness that I share with you that my continued battle with esophageal cancer is coming to an end. With the continued love and support of my wife, Nita, I have exhausted all options with respect to controlling this awful disease. My illness has progressed beyond my doctors’ expectation of cure.

"I have spent the past decade of my life promoting hospice care and educating people on its benefits. I am very comfortable taking this next step and experiencing the compassionate care that hospice provides.

"I am comforted by the fact that I am surrounded by my family and friends. I thank you for the outpouring of concern, prayers and encouragement that you have shown me. I look forward to spending my final days in comfort and peace with Nita by my side.”

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Fri May 13, 2011 6:37 am

Harmon Killebrew was a man's man.

He led the league in homers six times.

Had over 40 homers eight times.

Led the A.L. in rbi three times

His durabilty was legendary. He played in over 150 games, eight seasons. In three years of a four year span, he played in 162, 163, and 162 games.

He was a hitter who had a mammoth swing. Despite that, he averaged less than 100 strike outs per season.

Above all the records though. He honored the game and it was an honor to see him play the game.

TOXIC ASSETS · Post by **TOXIC ASSETS** » Sun May 15, 2011 2:05 am

Before my time, but one of the best sluggers ever.

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Sun May 15, 2011 1:44 pm

The Nats did a nice little tribute at the game today.

Rainiers · Post by **Rainiers** » Mon May 16, 2011 8:45 am

Harmon was a childhood idol of mine. What a fantastic role model. And what a masher. They say chicks dig the long ball, well so do little boys.

Harmon was a big part of the tremendous success of the Minnesota Twins when they moved from DC in 1962.

His likeable personality was a perfect fit for the folks in the Upper Midwest who embraced baseball with a passion that disregarded things like the crudely remodeled AAA baseball stadium where they played.

The ballpark didn't matter, we would have sat in a corn field or a cow pasture just for the chance to see Killebrew hit one 500+ feet.

We absolutely loved Harmon. We came in droves from all over the state of Minnesota and the Dakotas and Iowa to watch him play.

The Twins were so popular that they led the league in attendance during their first five years of existence. It's no accident that this was when Harmon was in his prime.

P.S: I really enjoyed all your comments above.

[ May 16, 2011, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Rainiers ]

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue May 17, 2011 5:44 am

Harmon Killebrew died today.

Killebrew liked telling a story from his youth. How he and his brother would go out to play ball on the lawn with their father. After awhile, his mom came out on the porch and yelled at them that they were tearing up the grass. Mr Killebrew turned to his wife with a smile and said, "Honey, we're not raising grass, we're raising boys!"

Killebrew was the face of the Twins. The first years that the state of Minnesota had a ball club, Killebrew hammered 46, 48, 45, and 49 home runs.

Killebrew only swung the bat one way, vicious. The baseball version of 'grip it and rip it'.

Killebrew played most of his career in the 1960's. THE era in baseball. Mays, Mantle, Aaron, Clemente, Robinson, the names go on.

But, nobody had more home runs during that golden decade then Harmon Killebrew.

Killebrew was injured once and would miss a few games. Teammate and catcher Earl Battey said, " This team, without Harmon Killebrew, is like dressing up for a formal affair with white tie and tails, and then wearing muddy shoes"

Some players come along, and we think there'll never be another player like that one. Same could be said for Killebrew.

There will never be another one like him.

[ May 17, 2011, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Outlaw · Post by **Outlaw** » Tue May 17, 2011 6:38 am

A Great Man, A Great Player, A Great American! Rest in Peace!

Plymouth · Post by **Plymouth** » Tue May 17, 2011 11:18 am

I grew up on a dairy farm on the MInnesota side of the St. Croix River and every evening during baseball season the radio would be on WCCO in the barn as we milked the herd of 42 Holstein's we had at the time. Dairy farming was hard work but listening to Herb Carneal, Halsey Hall, and numerous other Twins broadcasters describe the action was always one of the days highlights for me and my brother. Listening to Herb describe a majestic Killebrew home run or Oliva smashing a line drive to the alley was something I will never forget. I remember manager Sam Mele was asked during an interview once what his favorite batting order was since he often switched Killebrew and Oliva in the 3 and 4 hole. His response was "I love them both, it is an OK or a KO and how can you go wrong with either one". KIllebrew was the only player I know that when I was at Met stadium and the Twins were losing late in the game and fans were streaming to the exits, everyone would stop and turn around to watch when Harmon stepped to the plate because you never knew when Harmon would get a hold of one and send it high and deep. Many folks would go home satisfied that they had seen Killebrew hit a home run if if the Twins lost the game. Rest in peace Harmon and thank you so much for all the wonderful memories.

Rainiers · Post by **Rainiers** » Tue May 17, 2011 8:35 pm

Originally posted by Plymouth:

I grew up on a dairy farm on the MInnesota side of the St. Croix River and every evening during baseball season the radio would be on WCCO in the barn as we milked the herd of 42 Holstein's we had at the time. Dairy farming was hard work but listening to Herb Carneal, Halsey Hall, and numerous other Twins broadcasters describe the action was always one of the days highlights for me and my brother. Listening to Herb describe a majestic Killebrew home run or Oliva smashing a line drive to the alley was something I will never forget. I remember manager Sam Mele was asked during an interview once what his favorite batting order was since he often switched Killebrew and

Oliva in the 3 and 4 hole. His response was "I love them both, it is an OK or a KO and how can you go wrong with either one". KIllebrew was the only player I know that when I was at Met stadium and the Twins were losing late in the game and fans were streaming to the exits, everyone would stop and turn around to watch when Harmon stepped to the plate because you never knew when Harmon would get a hold of one and send it high and deep. Many folks would go home satisfied that they had seen Killebrew hit a home run if if the Twins lost the game. Rest in peace Harmon and thank you so much for all the wonderful memories. Your reminded me of something. Do you remember that "we're gonna win Twins" jingle they would play at the beginning of every radio broadcast of the Twins' games? I loved that song...it meant the start of a brand new game for the Twins, and time to turn the radio up! I bet some of the lyrics were written specifically about Killebrew, especially the "watch that baseball soar" and " crack out a home run" stanzas. I wonder if they still play that song today.

It is really, really, hard to fathom the totality of the legacy he left behind, the number of people he influenced, entertained and mentored...

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Wed May 18, 2011 4:05 am

It's been fun to watch some of the older Killebrew video highlights on MLB Network and ESPN this past week. The Killer really hit some bombs to left field. Since I wasn't a Twins fan at the time and didn't see him much, I have to ask the question: Did he hit many home runs to right field? He sure looked like a dead pull hitter, but I might be wrong.

I also saw a clip of him returning to Minnesota in 1975 as a member of the Royals. I don't remember him playing one season in Kansas City, but he played 106 games there and hit just .199-14-44. He was 39 and in his 22nd MLB season.

Killebrew hit only .256 for his career, but he had a lifetime .376 OBP as he led the league in walks four times and had seven seasons of 100+ walks. He led the league in homers six times and had nine seasons of 39 or more HRs. I can't imagine seeing him stealing bases, but in his memorable 1969 season at the age of 33 he played all 162 games and hit .276 with 49 homers, 140 RBIs, 106 runs and EIGHT stolen bases. He finished with 19 stolen bases in 22 seasons, but eight of them came in 1969.

RIP Harmon. What a beautiful career and life.

BigHurt · Post by **BigHurt** » Wed May 18, 2011 4:33 am

Originally posted by Rainiers:

Your reminded me of something. Do you remember that "we're gonna win Twins" jingle they would play at the beginning of every radio broadcast of the Twins' games? I loved that song...it meant the start of a brand new game for the Twins, and time to turn the radio up! I bet some of the lyrics were written specifically about Killebrew, especially the "watch that baseball soar" and " crack out a home run" stanzas. I wonder if they still play that song today.

They still play it at the park, but I don't think they do on the radio anymore.

Rainiers · Post by **Rainiers** » Wed May 18, 2011 5:32 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

It's been fun to watch some of the older Killebrew video highlights on MLB Network and ESPN this past week. The Killer really hit some bombs to left field. Since I wasn't a Twins fan at the time and didn't see him much, I have to ask the question: Did he hit many home runs to right field? He sure looked like a dead pull hitter, but I might be wrong.

I also saw a clip of him returning to Minnesota in 1975 as a member of the Royals. I don't remember him playing one season in Kansas City, but he played 106 games there and hit just .199-14-44. He was 39 and in his 22nd MLB season.

Killebrew hit only .256 for his career, but he had a lifetime .376 OBP as he led the league in walks four times and had seven seasons of 100+ walks. He led the league in homers six times and had nine seasons of 39 or more HRs. I can't imagine seeing him stealing bases, but in his memorable 1969 season at the age of 33 he played all 162 games and hit .276 with 49 homers, 140 RBIs, 106 runs and EIGHT stolen bases. He finished with 19 stolen bases in 22 seasons, but eight of them came in 1969.

RIP Harmon. What a beautiful career and life. Your guess was right, he was a dead pull hitter. Opposing teams would put the the right-handed shift on him, loading up the left side of the infield.

He was not fleet-a-foot, but he had good instincts. 1969 was Billy Martin's first year as a manager, and only year as manager of the Twins (too many bar room brawls for the Griffith's liking) Boy, did he have everybody running, even Harmon. That was the year Rod Carew had 7 steals of home, and was thrown out trying to get his eighth, which would have tied him with Ty Cobb for the single season record....

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:12 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Did he hit many home runs to right field? He sure looked like a dead pull hitter, but I might be wrong.Up until players started working out during the off season, the balls were wound a little tighter, and bats improved in quality and the choice of wood, opposite field home runs were rare.

They didn't keep stats for them back then like they do now. Although sports writers retraced all of Roger Maris' home runs from 1961 and discovered that none went to left field.

The only player from the golden era who hit more than a handfull of home runs to right field was Willie Mays. Mays played at Candlestick Park where the wind always blew from left to right field. Mays himself, was mostly a pull hitter too, but he would occasionally take outside pitches for a ride on the wind.

I don't have the stats in front of me to verify, but David Wright and Ryan Howard hit the most that I've seen nowadays.

Last year, Bautista was in the high 40's before he hit his first home run to the opposite field.

It's funny how a baseball fan can get used to something rare such as opposite field home runs. During the steroid era, they were met with a shrug of the shoulders.

The longest opposite field home run that I've ever seen was hit just last year, and by a 17 year-old. Our town hosts the Junior College World Series every year.

Last year, Bryce Harper hit a ball that landed past the sixth hole putting surface on the golf course that sits 100 feet beyond the left field fence. Going to a lot of high school, college, and JUCO games, I had only witnessed one RIGHT HANDER do that.