Harmon Killebrew Passes Away at 74

by Jesse on May 17, 2011 11:58 AM EDT in News

"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let's make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own."

- Harmon Killebrew -

I'd be surprised if every eulogy that is printed regarding Harmon doesn't include that phrase somewhere. But from the moment he said it, it was going to be a quote he was known for, and today it seems uniquely poignant.

For nearly an entire generation of baseball fans, Killebrew was the face of the franchise. Not just during his tenure with the Twins, but even after. As a new generation grew to love Rod Carew and eventually Kirby Puckett, Killebrew was always going to be the original. He dwarfed Carew in stature and Puckett in production. Dave St. Peter made a statement earlier, saying: "No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota organization and millions of fans across Twins Territory.

And it's true.

In the next day or two I'll likely post a career retrospective on Harmon, and we'll talk about all of the good things he did off the field as well. But for now send your condolences and well-wishes to the Killebrew family.

Thank you to a great ballplayer and a better man. You'll always be loved and never be forgotten, and you're already missed.

Read More

Harmon Killebrew Was Inspiration for MLB Logo, Christopher Gates, SB Nation Minnesota
Harmon Killebrew Was the Gentlest of Sluggers, Rob Neyer, Baseball Nation
The Gentle Killer, Chris Jaffe, The Hardball Times
Harmon Killebrew Career Highlights, Chris Jaffe, The Hardball Times
He Was Able to Paint a Masterpiece, Michael Cuddyer

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Rest in peace, Harmon.

We miss you already.

by funnytrain on May 17, 2011 12:00 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Harmon!!!!!

We will never forget you!!!!!!

by LittleLad on May 17, 2011 12:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

RIP Killer

Say hi to Boogey when you get there, will ya?

Editor:Hockey Wilderness Editor:In Lax We Trust Now with more Twitterness: ReynoldsSBN

Rule #17: You may not impersonate representatives of Hockey Wilderness and handout NHL themed wrist bands.

by BReynolds on May 17, 2011 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

Rest in Peace

We will miss you, Killer. Say hi to Kirby for us, please.

by leo3375 on May 17, 2011 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

Rest in Peace, Harmon

by John_Locke on May 17, 2011 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

So sad.

Cancer sucks. RIP to one of the best people baseball will ever see.

WordUpThome: OUR COMPTROLLER OF SECOND BASE AFFAIRS HAS BEEN HIT IN THE SHINJO BY A METEOR
Tweet me! @jessicann713

by fischean on May 17, 2011 12:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Greatest Twin Ever

The beard abides.

by Jason Kubel's Beard on May 17, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

The original and still the best

Rest In Peace, Harmon. May you be on a farm in Iowa, playing baseball in your prime against the rest of the greats with your loved ones looking on.

(But first, would you mind haunting the Twins dugout for the rest of the season? The guys could use your help.)

by ColossusOfRhode on May 17, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Rest in peace, Harmon.

sigh

by Patrick42 on May 17, 2011 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Keep hitting those homers, Killer.

RIP Harmon.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett

by less cowbell, more 'neau on May 17, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

Rest in Peace, Mr. Killebrew

You’ll never be forgotten.

by cubfanandy on May 17, 2011 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Hall of Fame player, Hall of Fame human being

He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Harmon.

by dctwin on May 17, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Harmon

So very sad.

Watch me Tweet

by Jilliette on May 17, 2011 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

Rest in Peace Harmon

thank you for being such an amazing player and man. Enjoy playing your games on the greenest grass under beautiful sunny skies.

My thoughts and prayers to his family and to all of us his fans.

The world lost one of the good ones today

by caluofmn on May 17, 2011 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Love that quote. RIP.

by twinpirate326 on May 17, 2011 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

What a great life he lived

Very sorry to hear about his passing. Endless respect from a White Sox fan.

signature

by billyok on May 17, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you!

FREE AIRWOLF!

ROHLFING!!!!!

by d-mac on May 17, 2011 1:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Farewell to a Minnesota sports icon

One of the greats.

by DavidRF on May 17, 2011 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Killer.

He was the man and an icon.

FREE AIRWOLF!

ROHLFING!!!!!

by d-mac on May 17, 2011 1:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

sigh

You will be missed Harmon. What an incredible life…

I don’t need anymore sadness today.

So long, Killer.

I'm still a Minnesotan at heart...

by urluckyday on May 17, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

Just went to Target Field to buy some tickets.....

Flowers are already being left at his statue and there were three TV news reporters there with cameras.

The beard abides.

by Jason Kubel's Beard on May 17, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Crap

We all knew this day was coming, but now that it’s here, I’m incredibly saddened.

I met Killer in the mid 80s at a book signing. So warm and engaging …

RIP big man.

It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

by SteadyDietOfCheese on May 17, 2011 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Killer

you will be missed

by Gotty033 on May 17, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Harmon

One of the best ever. You make me proud to be a Twins fan.

We’ll win it for you and Kirby someday.

Condolences to his friends and family.

When I was a kid, I would cover a blue futon with a white blanket, prop it up with a fan set on high, and pretend it was the Metrodome. That should tell you a lot.

by MarshalltheIrish on May 17, 2011 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Right now up in heaven,

Bob Casey’s announcing, “batting fourth and playing first base, HARMONNNNN KILLEBREWWWW!”

by Bombo Bozonoski on May 17, 2011 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Harmon

I never saw you play since I’m too young (19), but I’ve heard amazing things about you. It’s very unfortunate the world had to lose such a great man.

"Danny Valencia is a fricking stud! Hide your daughters!"
-Denard Span

by taralynn09 on May 17, 2011 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

Totally Agree

The only thing that is bad about this is that the Twins will likely tank the season the way they are playing. Harmon is in a good place.

I'm a proud fan of the Minnesota Twins and Dallas Cowboys!
"Life is precious and time is a key element. Let’s make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own." – Harmon Killebrew

by Jessy S on May 17, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Condolences, Twins fans.

Good man.

i'll limit your face to one per customer. -colintj

by homesickalien on May 17, 2011 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Harmon

I wrote a little tribute on my blog about my own personal connection/story. Except it’s mostly through my Mom, and her life-long admiration of Harmon. I haven’t even called her yet, I’m sort of afraid to. Maybe I should do that now…

What a great person. RIP Harmon Killebrew.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on May 17, 2011 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Good read.

Thanks.

by Jesse on May 17, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

"Life is precious and time is a key element."

Just perfect. RIP, Killer.

by MNWildcat on May 17, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

I'm too young

To ever have seen him play, but from everything I’ve heard from my dad and read and seen about him he will surely be missed, not just as a baseball player but a truly kind and loving person.

I also just saw this and thought I would share, it will stay for the remainder of the season.

by geoff a on May 17, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

If you haven't watched Jack Morris at today's press conference....

YOU NEED TO!!! His comments are the perfect summation of what Harmon meant to the Twins and fans of that era. Go to KSTP’s website and watch it. He’s toward the very end, after Frank Quillici (sp? who goes on way too long). I can barely see the screen to type this right now. You’ll feel the same after you view it.

by Bombo Bozonoski on May 17, 2011 8:15 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Harmon

A great ballplayer and an even better man.

Baseball reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.-Terence Mann/James Earl Jones in FoD

by Twins33 on May 17, 2011 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

Rest in peace Harmon

Words can’t do justice to how important he was as a Twin and as a person.

"Nobody wants to hear me rap." - Joe Mauer
"METEOR" - JIM THOME

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on May 17, 2011 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

RIP Harmon

Baseball is a lesser place without him.

by Desert Aaron on May 17, 2011 11:41 PM EDT reply actions

Way back when

My buddy and I intercepted Harmon before a Twins game. Even though I’m sure he had much more important things to do, he seemed genuinely happy to take a picture and talk with us for a little bit. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Rod Carew at about that same age, and the Twins truly could not have better ambassadors for the team. I know I wouldn’t be here without the willingness of people such as my father and Harmon to share their enthusiasm and love of the game with me. Even though I didn’t know Harmon personally, the simple life that he lived of family, faith, and baseball sure made it seem like I (and all of us, I think) could relate to him.

This one’s for you. Mr. Killebrew.

by JTW on May 17, 2011 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs