Harmon Killebrew 1936-2011
Harmon Killebrew, the baseball legend nicknamed Killer, died this morning in Scottsdale, AZ, at age 74. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer four months ago.
The famous athlete issued a statement last Friday, indicating that he was discontinuing treatment and entering hospice care. His death came four days later.
During Killebrew’s 22-year major league career, he spent two decades begining with the Washington Senators in 1954, a team that became the Minnesota Twins when the franchise moved to Minneapolis in 1961. He was a first baseman, third baseman and left fielder with the team through the 1974 season. He retired at the end of 1975 after one season with the Kansas City Royals.
Check out his amazing career stats below:
Despite his powerful style of play, Killebrew was a quiet, kind man who was not much given to the partying lifestyle enjoyed by his peers. Asked once what he liked to do for fun, Killer replied: “Well, I like to wash dishes, I guess.”
When the Mall of America was built in 1992, the developers named the entrance road leading to the Minnesota Megamall … Killebrew Drive.
The last MLB superstar that Minnesota Twins fans mourned was Kirby Puckett, who died of a stroke at age 45 in 2006.
Harmon is survived by his wife Nita, their 9 children, 23 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He divorced his first wife Elaine in 1989. They had five children.
Hammerin’ Harmon was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. Check out his induction plaque and short bio video below:
Photos: WENN