Harmon Killebrew - R.I.P

A sad day for baseball fans as Harmon Killebrew succombs to his battle with cancer. As great as a player as he was perhaps it is fitting that he will be remembered for the person that he was off the field. In the sportsworld there are many anti-hero's but Harmon Killebrew was not one of them. As the statement from Twins President Dave St. Peter says, his legacy will the class, dignity and humility that he demonstrated throughout his life. Harmon Killebrew, requiescat in pace.

May 17, 2011 – Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew has passed away at age 74 after a long-running battle with esophageal cancer.

"No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins Territory than Harmon Killebrew. Harmon will long be remembered as one of the most prolific home run hitters in the history of the game and the leader of a group of players who helped lay the foundation for the long-term success of the Twins franchise and Major League Baseball in the Upper Midwest. However, more importantly Harmon’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. The Twins extend heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the Killebrew family at this difficult time."

- Dave St. Peter, President, Minnesota Twins Baseball Club

“Harmon was a Hall of Famer on and off the field. He was baseball's version of Paul Bunyan, with his prodigious home run power, leading by example in the clubhouse and on the field. Off the field, he emanated class, dignity, and warmth, and he was a great humanitarian. He was so down-to-earth, you would never realize he was a baseball legend. It’s ironic that his nickname was ‘Killer,’ as he was one of the nicest, most generous individuals to ever walk the earth.”

- Jeff Idelson, Hall of Fame President

A native of Idaho, Killebrew made his name in baseball in the nation's capital near the end of the '50s, underscored it many times in 14 summers playing for the Twins in Minnesota, wrapped up his career with one final season in Kansas City, and eventually found a permanent baseball address in Cooperstown, N.Y., among the most prominent names in the game's long history.