Remembering Minnesota Twins Slugger Harmon Killebrew

Few sluggers in the 1960s – or any era – could match the raw power of Harmon Killebrew. What may have been most amazing about his slugging ability was how anyone who swung the bat as hard as Killebrew could be so productive so consistently and for so long.

In terms of bat-swinging strength, few sluggers in baseball history could match Killebrew. Yet he was more than a free swinger. His record of consistent productivity for more than a decade attested to his ability to consistently make contact. His nickname, "The Killer," reflected not his demeanor but the fact that any mis-pitch could well have "fatal" consequences to the pitcher who offered it.

Signed as a "bonus baby" in 1954, Killebrew played all but the last season of his 22-year career with the Senators/Twins organization. His first full season with the Washington Senators was 1959, and Killebrew responded by leading  the American League with 42 home runs. It was the first of 8 seasons in which Killebrew would hit 40 or more home runs. He would lead the American League in home runs 6 times altogether during his career.

During the 1960s, the Minnesota Twins featured one of the league's most potent line-ups, anchored by Killebrew in the clean-up position. The Minnesota Twins first baseman blasted more home runs (393) in the 1960s than any other player in either league. He led the American League in home runs 5 times during the decade, and almost certainly would have become the fourth player in major league history to hit 400 or more home runs in a single decade had an injury not cost him more than 50 games in 1968. (The 3 players who have hit 400 home runs in a decade are Babe Ruth, Jimmie Foxx and Mark McGwire.) Killebrew ranked fifth in slugging percentage (.546) during the 1960s. His 1,013 RBIs in that decade represent the second-highest total for the 1960s, trailing only Hank Aaron's 1,107. He drove in 100 or more run in a season 9 times during his career, leading the American League in run production 3 times.

Killebrew was one of only two players ever to hit 49 home runs twice in a season but never hit 50. The other player was Lou Gehrig. His highest RBI total came in 1969, with 140 to go with 49 homes runs, both major league highs. He was voted Most Valuable Player that year, as he also led the league in walks (145) and on-base percentage (.427).

Killebrew retired following the 1975 season, hitting 573 home runs in his career, an average of 1 home run for every 14 at-bats. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.