This past Tuesday, the game of baseball lost one of it's most feared sluggers of all-time. Twins great Harmon Killebrew lost a long battle with esophageal cancer 74 years young.
Harmon earned the nickname "The Killer" for the rediculous amount of power he possessed at the dish. In a time where roids were non-existent, Killebrew mashed 573 Home Runs over a 22-year career (11th all-time)
In the 1960's, pitching dominated. Harmon Killebrew managed to hit 40 or more homers 8 seasons and hit more round trippers in the 1960's than anyone!
His home runs weren't just squeakers over the wall either, mind you..this wasn't Big Mac's 62nd home run in '98..they were absolute BOMBS! He is only one of 4 men to ever hit a ball out of Tiger Stadium and is the owner of the longest ball hit in Twins history. The ball sailed 52
0 feet back at the old Memorial Field (which is now replaced by the Mall of America). The exact spot the ball landed is still preserved to this day as you can see here.A Hall of Famer, a 13-time all-star and former Most Valuable Player. Harmon Killebrew may have been feared by pitchers everywhere, but until his death he remained one of the most all-around gentlemen and ambassador to baseball.
So if you respect the greats of this game. join me in raising your drink of choice and toast one to "The Killer"!
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