How Killebrew died after 74 years

The Minnesota Twins have revealed that Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew has succumbed to esophageal cancer. The imposing slugger from Payette, Idaho, was 74 years old. The ambassador for the game of baseball games ended his days peacefully while sleeping in his Scottsdale, Ariz., home. He was accompanied in his last moments by wife Nita and their kids.

Now Killebrew is in Hospice over Mayo Clinic from before

Monday, a statement was released by Killebrew. It said the esophageal cancer is in advanced stages so the Mayo Clinic can no longer help. Killebrew stated that he would spend his final days in Hospice care. The cancer was only announced six months before.

‘The Killer’ delighted enthusiasts with bat, heart

Most pitchers were nervous about pitching to Killebrew on the right hand side of the plate. He weighed 220 pounds and was 5-foot-11. Bull-necked and burly with powerful arms and vice-like hands, the prematurely balding Harmon “The Killer” Killebrew hit majestic blasts that left enthusiasts swinging for adjectives. On the all-time list, he comes in number 11 for his 573 home runs between 1954 and 1975, or during his 22 year career. He led the RBI in home runs three times and the American League six times, five as a Minnesota Twin and one as a Washington Senator. The official Major League Baseball logo is believed to be of Killebrew’s powerful swing.

“He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy,” former Washington Senators scout Ossie Bluege once said. “And I don’t mean the infielders. I mean the outfielders.”

Killebrew was so soft-spoken in nature though. Supporters loved this.

“No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins territory than Harmon Killebrew,” Twins president Dave St. Peter said. “Killebrew’s legacy will be the class, dignity and humility he demonstrated each and every day as a Hall of Fame-quality husband, father, friend, teammate and man.”

According to Baseball games Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson, “It’s ironic that his nickname was ‘Killer,’ as he was one of the nicest, most nice individuals to ever walk the earth.”

Citations

Associated Press

nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43062969/ns/sports-baseball/

Baseball Reference

baseball-reference.com/players/k/killeha01.shtml

Boston Globe

bo.st/iLkYND

Minneapolis Star-Tribune

startribune.com/sports/twins/122004519.html

‘We’re here to love and help one other,’ said Killebrew

youtube.com/watch?v=GV9oEeKhI6s