Harmon Killebrew (1936-2011)

Image via WikipediaHarmon Killebrew, the Minnesota Twins' first superstar, died Tuesday in an Arizona hospice at the age of 74.  This came only a few days after he announced that he was no longer seeking treatment for his esophogeal cancer, which he was diagnosed with in December.

The pride of Payette, Idaho began his career signed as a 17-year old to the Washington Senators, then moved with the team to Minnesota in 1961.  Killebrew led the Twins to an American League pennant in 1965, followed by division titles in 1969 and '70.  He ended his career after a one-season stint with the Kansas City Royals in 1975.

Killebrew was 11th on the all-time home run list with 573.  Most of them came in the pre-steroid era of the 1960s, when Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays (among others) were also prodigious in the art of hitting one out of the park.  Killebrew was the American League's home run champion six times, and led the league in runs batted in three times.  He was the league's most valuable player in 1969.  Then came the induction into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1984.

Enough with the statistics and titles.  Harmon Killebrew was an icon to an Upper Midwest that was just getting to know major league sports.  Whenever he came to the plate, people attending a game at Metropolitan Stadium or watching on their black-and-white TVs expected him to hit one of those baseballs not just over the fence, but into the next county.  Usually, he delivered.

Life for Killebrew wasn't that great after he left baseball.  He had a series of problems involving his health, his marriage and with his money.  But as an ambassador to the Twins, whether it's spring training in Florida or visits to the Twin Cities, he was in his element.  Current players and longtime fans still remembered who he was, and they brought their kids to make sure they knew him too.

A dark shadow has been cast over Target Field, the Twins' current home.  It also hangs over the Mall of America in Bloomington, where Met Stadium once stood.  That shadow is wearing pinstripes with a Number 3 on its back, stepping up to the plate as "We're Gonna Win, Twins" is heard from a distant organ.  Wait!  Isn't that Bob Casey announcing his name?  Herb Carneal, Ray Scott and Halsey Hall at the mike?  Calvin Griffith watching from his suite?  Maybe Harmon Killebrew wants to hit one into the next county one more time.