Harmon Killebrew

Lore & Background

Killebrew was 5 feet 11 inches and 213 pounds. His compact swing generated tremendous power and made him one of the most feared power hitters of the 1960s, when he hit at least 40 home runs per season eight times. In total Killebrew led the league six times in home runs and three times in RBIs, and was named to 13 All-Star teams. In 1965, he played in the World Series with the Twins, who lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His finest season was 1969, when he hit 49 home runs, recorded 140 RBIs and won the AL Most Valuable Player Award while helping lead the Twins to the AL West pennant. With quick hands and exceptional upper body strength, Killebrew was known for both the frequency and distance of his homers. He hit the longest home runs ever recorded at Minnesota's Metropolitan Stadium and Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, and was the first of four players to hit a ball over the left field roof at Detroit's Tiger Stadium.

Despite his nicknames and his powerful style of play, Killebrew was regarded as a quiet, kind man. After retiring from baseball, Killebrew became a television broadcaster for several baseball teams from 1976 to 1988. He also served as a hitting instructor for the Oakland Athletics.

Reader's Guide

Killebrew was born and raised in Payette, Idaho, the youngest of four children. He played baseball at Walter Johnson Memorial Field. He worked as a farmhand in his youth, lifting ten-gallon milk cans. Killebrew earned 12 letters in various sports and was named an All-American quarterback at Payette High School; the school retired his uniform number.

He was offered an athletic scholarship by the University of Oregon, but declined. In the early 1950s, Senator Herman Welker of Idaho told Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith about Killebrew, who was hitting for an .847 batting average for a semi-professional baseball team. Griffith told his farm director Ossie Bluege, who flew to Idaho to watch Killebrew play. The Boston Red Sox also expressed interest but Bluege succeeded in signing him to a $50,000 contract on June 19, 1954.

Killebrew made his major league debut four days after signing and six days from his 18th birthday. He hit his first major league home run on June 24, 1955. After the 1960 season, the Senators moved to Minnesota and became the Minnesota Twins. For the franchise's first year in Minnesota, Killebrew was named team captain by manager Cookie Lavagetto. He responded by hitting 46 home runs, breaking the franchise record he had tied two years earlier.

Career Achievements and Power Hitting

Harmon Killebrew established himself as a dominant force, leading the American League in home runs six times and RBIs three times. He was selected to 13 All-Star teams throughout his career. His peak performance occurred in 1969 when he hit 49 home runs and drove in 140 runs, earning the AL MVP award. By retirement, he held the fifth-most home runs in MLB history and stood as the AL's all-time leader among right-handed batters, trailing only Babe Ruth overall. In the 1960s alone, he hit at least 40 home runs eight times.

Defining Moments and Historic Feats

Killebrew hit the longest recorded home run at Metropolitan Stadium (520 ft) and Baltimore's Memorial Stadium (471 ft). He was one of four players to clear the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium. In 1962, he and Bob Allison became the first teammates since 1890 to hit grand slams in the same inning. His first major league home run came on June 24, 1955, just five days before his 19th birthday. He played in the 1965 World Series with the Twins against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Born in Payette, Idaho, Killebrew was the youngest of four children. His father, a former All-American football player, died suddenly in 1953. As a youth, Killebrew lifted 95-pound milk cans on a farm. He earned 12 letters in high school sports and was an All-American quarterback before declining a University of Oregon scholarship. Senator Herman Welker recommended him to Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith. Scout Ossie Bluege signed him for $50,000 on June 19, 1954.

Legacy and Life Beyond Baseball

Known as "the Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon," Killebrew was personally regarded as a quiet, kind man. After retiring in 1974, he worked as a television broadcaster from 1976 to 1988 and served as a hitting instructor for the Oakland Athletics. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.