MarionP's Blog

May 27

Previous Minnesota Twins All-Star Harmon Killebrew has succumbed to throat cancer. The pride of Payette, Idaho, 11-time MLB All-Star and 1969 American League MVP was 74 years old. The ambassador for the game of baseball games ended his days peacefully while asleep in his Scottsdale, Ariz., home. He was accompanied in his last moments by wife Nita and their children.

Killebrew left the Mayo Clinic and entered Hospice

Monday, a statement was released by Killebrew. It said the esophageal cancer is in advanced stages so the Mayo Clinic can no longer help. Killebrew stated that he would spend his final days in Hospice care. He had announced his cancer diagnosis only six months prior.

Followers loved 'The Killer'

Pitchers were never comfortable facing the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Killebrew as he swung mightily from the right-hand side of the plate. Harmon "The Killer" Killebrew had huge arms and hands. The power in his hits was something everyone wanted to see. He led the American League six times, once as a Washington Senator and five times as a Minnesota Twin, in home runs while leading the RBI only three times in his 22 year career from 1954 to 1975 where he had 573 home runs making him number 11 on the all-time list. Killebrew's strong upper-cut swing is believed to be the batter silhouette that seems in the official Major League Baseball logo.

"He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy," former Washington Senators scout Ossie Bluege once said. "And I don't mean the infielders. I mean the outfielders."

Killebrew was so soft-spoken in nature though. Followers loved this.

"No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins territory than Harmon Killebrew," Twins president Dave St. Peter said. "Killebrew'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."

Jeff Idelson is the Baseball Hall of Fame President. He even said, "It's ironic that his nickname was 'Killer,' as he was one of the nicest, most generous individuals to ever walk the earth."

Information from

Associated Press

nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43062969/ns/sports-baseball/

Baseball Reference

baseball-reference.com/players/k/killeha01.shtml

Boston Globe

bo.st/iLkYND

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

startribune.com/sports/twins/122004519.html

'We're here to love and help one other,' said Killebrew

youtube.com/watch?v=GV9oEeKhI6s