He was carried from the field by a stretcher. For the franchise's first year in Minnesota, Killebrew was named team captain by manager Cookie Lavagetto. On June 12, 1961, Killebrew had the only five-hit game of his career in a losing effort by the Twins. He also divorced his first wife of over 30 years, Elaine, who he had married in 1955. Despite this, the season was unsuccessful for Killebrew, whose batting average barely passed .200 most of the year; after a strong start, he hit below .200 in both May and June and his average stood at .204 with 13 home runs going into the all-star break. [20] In 1958, he was briefly promoted to Indianapolis of the American Association but struggled and was sent back to Chattanooga for most of the season. A month later, the injury had not cleared up, and he underwent surgery to remove some torn cartilage; he did not return to the lineup until mid-September. SUMMARY Career WAR 60.3 AB 8147 H 2086 HR 573 BA .256 R He hit number 499 more than a month later and finally hit number 500 off a Mike Cuellar slow curveball in the first inning of an August 10 home game; at the time, he was the 10th player in history to hit 500 home runs. From May 1 to May 17, he had five multi-home run games and his first five-RBI game on May 12. Killebrew was first eligible for the Hall of Fame in 1981 and received 239 votes, or 59.6% of the vote; 75% of the vote is required for induction. [112] Together with a subsequent abscess and staph infection, Killebrew endured three surgeries and nearly died. Although 1959 proved his breakout season, he was ineligible for the Rookie of the Year Award because of his previous sparse experience. [47][48][49] Despite his absence, the Twins had a winloss record of 2819 and even extended their first place lead. He finished the season with a .254 batting average, 114 walks, 119 RBI, the latter two of which led the league, and 28 home runs. "He's one of the greatest of all time. For the remainder of his career, he played only 19 games in the outfield. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Killebrew started the 1968 season in a different venue; he served as a prosecution witness in a case where his name was being used to sell stocks in Idaho, unknown to him. He used a wheelchair for some time post-surgery. He also served as a hitting instructor for the Oakland Athletics. Killebrew earned 12 letters in various sports and was named an All-American quarterback at Payette High School; his uniform number was later retired by the school. [77] Despite not making the team, Killebrew's home run total continued to climb, and by the end of July he had Jimmie Foxx and Mickey Mantle's career marks in his sights;[78] he went on to pass both in August. [45], Killebrew drove in the tying or winning run seven times in 1965 before suffering an injury on August 2. In the late 1980s, Killebrew had financial problems. Baltimore avoided Killebrew by walking him six times in the three games to avoid pitching to him, which was as many times as they walked the rest of the Twins team. 5 out of 5 stars (414) $ 15.75. He then wasted no time in hitting number 501, knocking a Cuellar fastball over the fences later in the same game. Killebrew died Tuesday of esophageal cancer. 0 references. Harmon Killebrew was a baseball legend for his exploits on the field alone. Killebrew attracted so much attention in Washington that he was visited by President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower, who frequently attended games, and Griffith turned down a $500,000 offer for Killebrew from the Cincinnati Reds. Killebrew was known as an all-around gentleman during his playing career. [44] On July 5, Killebrew set a career-high with six RBIs in a game against the Oakland Athletics. "[2], On December 29, 2010, Killebrew announced that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and started treatment. His family tree includes great-grandfather Ray Boone, grandfather Bob Boone, and father Bret Boone. Harmon Clayton Killebrew Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr. Born. [37] He started the season off slowly, and he missed the second half of April and early May due to a right knee injury that was slow to heal. On Tuesday, esophageal cancer claimed the life of. At the time of his retirement Killebrew had the fifth-most home runs in major league history. American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder, Born on June 29, 1936 Among his other accomplishments over the course of the season, Killebrew accumulated a team-leading 122 RBIs, achieved a career-best batting average of .288 and had a slugging percentage of over .600 for the only time in his career. Killebrew was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in December 2010, and died five months later. . family name. At the time, the injury was considered career-threatening, but after missing about six weeks, he returned to limited action in September. [12][66] As of 2021, Killebrew's home run, RBI, and walk totals from 1969 remain team records,[15] and his 145 walks are tied for the 20th highest single season total in MLB history and 7th highest for a right-handed batter. Harmon Killebrew, the Hall of Famer who developed the strength to hit home runs by lifting 10-gallon milk cans as an Idaho farmhand and grew up to be one of the most feared sluggers of his. The plan was to construct 18 luxury homes on each hole of a golf course designed by . [38] Killebrew continued his hitting prowess for the Twins upon his return, and at one point led them on a six-game winning streak. This was about 36% of all the recorded Killebrew's in USA. [69] He was set to lead a team that had undergone a lot of change; Killebrew was one of only four Twins remaining from the 1965 pennant-winning club. The Twins finally won the American League pennant during the 1965 season. During his return to Minnesota, the Twins formally retired his #3 jersey on May 4, 1975. Harmon was born June 29, 1936, the fifth child of Katherine Pearl May Killebrew and Clayton Killebrew, Sr. in a house in Payette, ID. ", Ron Luciano, Umpire Strikes Back, page 59, Harmon Killebrew's red bleacher seat showing where his 520-foot (160 m) home run was hit, overlooking the flume ride at the MOA's Nickelodeon Universe in Bloomington, Minnesota.Killebrew was known for his quick hands and exceptional upper-body strength, demonstrated by several "tape measure" home runs that he hit in the prime of his career. $69.99. Funeral . While still an active major leaguer, Killebrew became a Mormon, and never smoked or drank. He was second only to Babe Ruth in American League (AL) home runs, and was the AL career leader in home runs by a right-handed batter. [12] He had surgery on his troublesome right knee after the season ended. Banners that hung above the Metrodome's outfield upper deck, resembling baseball cards, showed the retired numbers: Killebrew (3), Rod Carew (29), Tony Oliva (6), Kent Hrbek (14) and Kirby Puckett (34). MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Harmon Killebrew, the affable, big-swinging Hall of Famer whose tape-measure home runs made him the cornerstone of the Minnesota Twins and perhaps the most popular player in the team's 51-year history, died Tuesday after battling esophageal cancer. of 1. "Killebrew" redirects here. With 28 home runs by mid-season, he started the first 1959 All-Star Game and was a reserve in the second. [12], On January 24, 1975, eight days after getting his release from the Twins, Killebrew signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals. Harmon Clayton Killebrew Jr. was born on June 29, 1936, in Payette, Idaho. He led the AL with 103 walks and finished 4th in Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) voting to Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Boog Powell. [44] Playing in all 162 games, he led the majors in home runs and RBI (140), while leading the AL in on-base percentage (.427), walks (145) and intentional walks (20). $179.99. [110][111] Soon after, Killebrew's health failed. [12][33][42] He finished the 1964 season with a .270 batting average, 49 home runs, and 111 RBI; he led the AL in home runs for the third consecutive year. Born in Payette, Idaho, Harmon Killebrew was youngest of four children to Harmon Clayton, Sr. and Katherine Pearl (May) Killebrew. Towel on his shoulder, Killebrew is surveying his bat options and picking just the right one. With quick hands and exceptional upper body strength, Killebrew was known for both the frequency and distance of his homers. After the season ended, Killebrew took part in a home run hitting contest with Jim Gentile and Roger Maris, whose 61 home runs that year broke the single-season record; Killebrew hit 20 to win the contest. [12][15] Killebrew's arrival and home runs did little to improve the Senators' record, as they finished in the second division of the American League every year he played for Washington, including four years in last place. [16][17] Killebrew had a .115 average through June 16, and as a result was sent back to Charlotte; he finished the season there with a .325 batting average and 15 home runs in 70 games. [5][8] Griffith told his farm director Ossie Bluege about the tip and Bluege flew to Idaho to watch Killebrew play. The Twins again faced Powell and the Orioles in the 1970 American League Championship Series, a rematch of the previous season. Griffith traded the 32-year-old Eddie Yost to the Detroit Tigers on December 6, 1958, and Killebrew became the starting third baseman. [14] In his first two seasons, Killebrew struck out 34 times in only 93 at bats, contributing to a .215 batting average with four home runs. For other people of the same surname, see, Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, List of baseball players who went directly to Major League Baseball, List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders, List of Major League Baseball career total bases leaders, List of Major League Baseball home run records, "Harmon Killebrew, Twins' Hall of Fame Slugger, Dies at 74", "June 23, 1954, Senators at White Sox Box Score and Play by Play", "June 24, 1955, Tigers at Senators Play by Play and Box Score", "Minnesota Twins Retired numbers3: Harmon Killebrew", "The 1956 WAS A Regular Season Batting Log for Harmon Killebrew", "Harmon Killebrew Minor League Statistics & History", "Baltimore Orioles at Minnesota Twins Box Score, July 30, 1964", "July 11, 1961 All-Star Game Play-By-Play", "Killebrew Puts Maris In Shade In Homer Derby", "The 1962 MIN A Batting Splits for Harmon Killebrew", "Minnesota Twins 14, Cleveland Indians 3", "1962 American League Expanded Leaderboards", "Minnesota Twins 13, Boston Red Sox 4 (1)", "Killebrew was 'Paul Bunyan with a uniform on', "The 1965 MIN A Regular Season Batting Log for Harmon Killebrew", "Harmon Killebrew Off to Slow Start in Home Run Department", "Killebrew Testifies at Boise Fraud Trial Year", "The 1968 MIN A Batting Splits for Harmon Killebrew", "The 1968 MIN A Regular Season Batting Log for Harmon Killebrew", "Minnesota Twins 16, Oakland Athletics 4", "1969 Minnesota Twins Batting, Pitching, and Fielding Statistics", "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Bases on Balls", "1969 AL Championship SeriesBAL vs. MIN", "1970 AL Championship SeriesBAL vs. MIN", "Health of Killebrew, Oliva Keys To Twins Chances in AL West", "Surgery Sidelines Harmon Killebrew For Six Weeks", "Harmon Killebrew Still Has His Big Moments", "Harmon Killebrew Retires, Broadcasting Career Next", "Harmon Killebrew dies at 74; Hall of Famer was one of baseball's premier home-run hitters", "Career Leaders & Records for Bases on Balls", "Players by birthplace: Idaho Baseball Stats and Info", "Legend of MLB logo: Designer Says Not Killebrew", "Harmon Killebrew: The Minnesota Twins say goodbye to a legend", "Baseball Hall of FameFrick VotingRetired Broadcasters", "Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament", "Twins great Harmon Killebrew diagnosed with cancer", "Twins' vintage jerseys will honor Killebrew", "Nationals, Twins pay tribute to Harmon Killebrew", "Harmon C. Killebrew Jr.: 29 Jun 1936 - 17 May 2011", "Quotes about the death of Twins great Harmon Killebrew", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harmon_Killebrew&oldid=1136759811, June 23,1954,for theWashington Senators, September 26,1975,for theKansas City Royals, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 1 February 2023, at 00:10. He also finished a distant second in MVP voting to Boston's Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski. Despite his nicknames and his powerful style of play, Killebrew was considered by his colleagues to be a quiet, kind man. [16][18] Killebrew spent most of the 1957 season with the Southern Association's Chattanooga Lookouts, where he hit a league-high 29 home runs with 101 RBIs and was named to the All-Star Game. He was offered an athletic scholarship by the University of Oregon, but opted to attend the College of Idaho instead. Asked once what hobbies he had, Killebrew replied, "Just washing the dishes, I guess."[2]. Even so, he was selected as the starting first baseman in the All-Star Game and Killebrew stated that, owing to his poor start, he was "surprised" and "embarrassed" by the selection. Killebrew was known for his quick hands and exceptional upper-body strength, demonstrated by frequent "tape measure" home runs he hit in the prime of his career. Killebrew founded the Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament in 1977 with former Idaho congressman Ralph Harding, which is played annually in late August in Sun Valley, Idaho, and has donated more than $8.6 million to leukemia and cancer research. Making his major league debut four days after signing and six days from his 18th birthday (becoming the youngest active player in the majors at the time), Killebrew was called on to run for Clyde Vollmer, who had drawn a bases loaded walk off of Chicago White Sox starter Jack Harshman while pinch hitting for Senators reliever Chuck Stobbs. It was one of the longest home runs I ever hit. Harmon was born June 29, 1936,. Killebrew only played in 69 games that season, hitting five home runs. [41], Having played left field for the previous three years with a below-average throwing arm, the additional complication of Killebrew's knee surgery necessitated a move to the infield. Despite his nicknames and style of play, Killebrew was considered by his colleagues to be a quiet, kind man. in Payette, Idaho , United States, Died on May 17, 2011 Tennessee had the highest population of Killebrew families in 1840. Killebrew finished the season with a .269 batting average and 113 RBIs, and led the AL with 44 home runs and 131 walks. [6][8][10], Killebrew signed his contract under Major League Baseball (MLB)'s Bonus Rule, which required that he spend two full seasons on the major league roster. He later increased his tally to 39 and finished the season with a .281 batting average and 110 RBIs. He also finished with the record of having the most plate appearances (9,831) in his career without a sacrifice hit (since broken by Frank Thomas with 10,074 plate appearances). May 17, 2011. After retiring from baseball, Killebrew became a television broadcaster for several baseball teams from 1976 to 1988, and also served as a hitting instructor for the Oakland Athletics. In that game, Killebrew hit a home run against his former teammates and received a standing ovation from the crowd. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. The new Target Field has a statue of a Gold Glove outside Gate 34 and it is exactly 520 feet (160 m) from Target Field's home plate. In his first two seasons, Killebrew struck out 34 times in only 93 at bats, contributing to a .215 batting average with four home runs. 4 references. On August 3, 1962, he was the first batter ever to hit a baseball over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium, a seldom-reached target as contrasted with the old ballpark's smaller right field area. The Twins, led by Killebrew, were in the pennant race throughout the season, and had a one-game lead as the final two games of the season began against the Boston Red Sox. behind Ruth and ahead of Reggie Jackson, his partner in a Minnesota car dealership. An error has occured while loading the map. Over the course of the season, Killebrew hit 48 home runs, 126 RBIs, and had 107 walks, all career highs at the time. Harmon Killebrew. [55] Killebrew finished the season with a .269 batting average and 113 RBIs, tied AL Triple Crown winner Carl Yastrzemski with 44 home runs, and led the league with 131 walks. [121] Killebrew died on May 17, 2011, at his home in Scottsdale at the age of 74. Here's Catherine's post from Sunday,. The music world came to a stop last Sunday when country music legend Charley Pride passed away at the age of 86 from COVID complications. [12][92], Reggie Jackson once said, "If Harmon Killebrew isn't the league's best player, I've never seen one." He hit number 499 more than a month later and finally hit number 500 off a Mike Cuellar slow curveball in the first inning of an August 10 home game; at the time, he was the 10th player in history to hit 500 home runs. [117][118] On May 13, 2011, a Minnesota Twins press release reported he was ceasing treatment and entering hospice care, because his illness had progressed beyond his doctors' expectation of cure. In your natal chart, Harmon Killebrew, the ten main planets are distributed as follows: The three most important planets in your chart are Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn. 29 June 1936. I hit it out. 3 jersey. Killebrew moved to left field, where he started off the season slowly. In his honor, the Twins held a Harmon Killebrew Day in August, where it was announced that they would retire his number; Killebrew responded by leading the Twins to a 54 victory over the Orioles. [70] He spent most of the season's first half continuing his success, and found Baltimore's Brooks Robinson rivalling him for the third base spot during the All-Star voting process; the two were neck-and-neck throughout. As of 2011, Killebrew's home run, RBI, and walk totals from 1969 remain team records, and his 145 walks are tied for the 20th highest single season total in MLB history and 7th highest for a right-handed batter. He was one of the few players who would go out of his way to compliment umpires on a good job, even if their calls went against him. Harmon Killebrew was regarded as one of the most feared sluggers of the 1960s. Thomas Killebrew son About Culver Killebrew According to family legend, Culver was the strongest man in the Union Army, winning every available heavyweight wrestling . Harmon Killebrew (Harmon Clayton Killebrew Jr.) was born on 29 June, 1936 in Payette, Idaho, USA, is an Actor. [8] With 28 home runs by mid-season, he started the first 1959 All-Star Game and was a reserve in the second. In 1840 there were 5 Killebrew families living in Tennessee. Thompson was a Twins teammate who continued his major league career while suffering from leukemia; he died in December 1976 at the age of 29. Genealogy for Katherine Pearl Killebrew (May) (1895 - 1990) family tree on Geni, with over 240 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. 9 October 2017 . 1971 Topps Baseball - Pick A Card - Cards 486-630. Born and raised in Payette, Idaho, Killebrew was youngest of four children of Harmon Clayton Sr. and Katherine Pearl (May) Killebrew. Joe Orlando - May 5, 2000. That event is commemorated at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, which includes a plaque marking home plate, and one red-painted seat from the Met which was placed at the location and elevation of the landing spot of the home run. On July 11, the day before the All-Star break, defending AL champion Yankees had a one-run lead over the Twins going into the bottom of the 9th inning, but Killebrew hit a two-run home run for the win. Despite his absence, the Twins had a win-loss record of 2819 and even extended their first place lead. Houston: Harmon Killebrew, first baseman for the American League's Minnesota Twins, is removed from the dugout to the clubhouse on a cart after he. He passed away today May 17, 2011. Killebrew's arrival and home runs did little to improve the Senators' record, as they finished in the second division of the American League every year he played in Washington, including four years in last place. Username and password are case sensitive. In 1982, Killebrew received 59.3% of the vote, taking a backseat to Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson, who made it in their first year of eligibility. He continued his success through the second half of the year, and at season's end Killebrew had hit 41 home runs with 113 RBIs and finished third in MVP voting behind teammate Tony Oliva and Baltimore's Boog Powell, who won the award. He did not play in the second, but in the first, he hit a pinch hit home run in the sixth inning. Research genealogy for Harmon Clayton Killebrew of Nebo, Pike, Illinois, as well as other members of the Killebrew family, on Ancestry. On May 29, after being forced into action when regular second baseman Pete Runnels was injured early in a game against the Orioles, Killebrew hit two home runs, including only the second ball ever hit over a wire barrier in Baltimore's Memorial Stadium's center field. [72] In a rematch of the previous season the Twins again faced Powell and the Orioles in the 1970 American League Championship Series. [46] During a game against the Orioles, Twins third baseman Rich Rollins made a poor throw to first and while trying to save the play, Killebrew collided with the runner and dislocated his elbow, putting him out of action until mid-September. He worked as a farmworker in his youth, where he lifted 10-gallon milk cans, each can weighing about 95 lb (43 kg). Find a Grave memorial ID. In 1999, he was ranked 69th on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players and was nominated as a finalist for Major League Baseball's All-Century Team. Killebrew's 573 home runs ranks him #2 all-time in the A.L. Killebrew continued his hitting prowess for the Twins upon his return, and at one point led them on a six-game winning streak. With quick hands and exceptional upper-body strength, Killebrew was known not just for the frequency of his home runs but also for their distance. [52] He later increased his tally to 39 and finished the season with a .281 batting average and 110 RBIs. He returned to the majors in early May. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Killebrew led the league six times in home runs and three times in RBIs, and was named to eleven All-Star teams. [85][110] He also divorced his first wife of more than 30 years, Elaine Killebrew ne Roberts, whom he had married in 1955. GK252. 1990 March 30, 1990. The 11-time All-Star was the American League's Most Valuable Player . "[66] He was even noted as being kind to the umpires: The Killer was one of the most feared sluggers in baseball history, but he was also one of the nicest people ever to play the game. His finest season was 1969, when he hit 49 home runs, recorded 140 runs batted in (RBI), and won the AL Most Valuable Player Award. In December 1974, he was given the option of staying with the Twins as a coach and batting instructor, managing the AAA Tacoma Twins, or being released. Killebrew was bothered by injury early in the 1960 season. He missed his first All-Star Game since 1962, but instead of expressing disappointment in his streak ending, he noted that Twins shortstop Danny Thompson should have had the opportunity to play instead; Thompson mentioned the same thing about Killebrew. Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on May 17, 2011 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He said of it, "Frank House was the catcher. Harmon Sr., who preferred to be called Clay, had a big, burly type of build and was a fine athlete. A favorite charitable project of Killebrew's was raising funds to build Miracle League fields for physically disadvantaged children. Thompson was a Twins teammate who continued his major league career while suffering from leukemia; he died in December 1976 at the age of 29. As part of his decision . He missed his first All-Star Game since 1962, but instead of expressing disappointment in his streak ending, he noted that Twins shortstop Danny Thompson should have had the opportunity to play instead; Thompson mentioned the same thing about Killebrew. [73], Killebrew reached 40 home runs in a season for the final time in 1970 and also made his last appearance in the postseason. [12], Killebrew's efforts were rewarded in 1963 when he agreed to a contract for about $40,000 ($354,043 today). Pride was a remarkable trailblazer in the music world but . [87] While he did hit 573 home runs (5th all-time when he left the game), he amassed a relatively low hit total (2086), given the years he played, combined with a high number of strikeouts (1699), and a .256 batting average. [90][91] He is also the all-time home run record holder among players born in Idaho; Vance Law is second. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. I'd call a tough strike on him and he would turn around and say approvingly, "Good call." [13] A year and one day after making his major league debut, Killebrew hit his first major league home run on June 24, 1955, in the fifth inning off Detroit Tigers starter Billy Hoeft, five days shy of his 19th birthday. [39] On September 21, Killebrew hit three home runs in a game for the only time in his career in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox. ''Harmon was a Hall of Famer on and off the field. Died. [58][59] Even so, he was selected as the starting first baseman in the All-Star Game and Killebrew said that, owing to his poor start, he was "surprised" and "embarrassed" by the selection. He hit under .200 in both April and June, and because of this Killebrew was not selected to play in either 1962 All-Star Game, the last season he was not named an All-Star before 1972. In March, he had surgery for nasal irritation, and a recurring hamstring injury caused him to miss most of May. In 1982, Killebrew received 59.3% of the vote, taking a backseat to Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson, who made it in their first year of eligibility. On May 24, 1964, Harmon hit the longest measured homer at Baltimore Memorial Stadium, 471 feet (144 m) to deep left center. This relationship is not possible based on . Killebrew died on May 17, 2011 at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 74, a month and a half short of his 75th birthday. By December 1990, his health was improved and he was remarried to Nita. [60] During the third inning of the game he stretched for a ball thrown by shortstop Jim Fregosi, his foot slipped, and he did the splits, rupturing his left medial hamstring. 9 October 2017. stated in. [36] Killebrew's 48 home runs also broke the franchise record for the second year in a row. We encourage you to research and examine these records . Said former Washington Senators player, manager and coach Ossie Bluege: "He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy. When I came to the plate, he said, 'Kid, we're going to throw you a fastball.' [82] He finished the season with a .222 batting average, 13 home runs, and 54 RBIs. In addition, he had a career-high seven triples, tying for the team lead, and led the Twins in runs, total bases and walks. Skip Ancestry main . The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. He was the oldest player still active in the American League at the age of 38 in 1974, his last with the Twins, and in 1975, when he played out his string with the Kansas City Royals. Reported! His wife, Nita, and family were with him . Do-Hyoung Park. [23] Not all his stats were positive; Killebrew's batting average dropped from .288 in 1961 to .243 and he struck out a career-worst 142 times, leading the AL. Killebrew finished the season with 42 home runs to tie for the American League lead; it also tied the Senator's single-season record set by his teammate Roy Sievers two years earlier. Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on May 17, 2011 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Not all of his stats were positive; Killebrew's batting average dropped from .288 in 1961 to .243 and he struck out a career-worst 142 times, leading the AL. (Photo by Louis Requena/MLB Photos) Harmon Killebrew, surrounded by family . [89], Killebrew hit 573 home runs (12th all time), drove in 1,584 RBIs and had 1,559 (15th all time) bases on balls during his career. Killebrew was known as an all-around gentleman during his playing career. Family tree of Harmon KILLEBREW Baseball Born Harmon Clayton KILLEBREW American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder Born on June 29, 1936 in Payette, Idaho , United States Died on May 17, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona , United States Born on June 29 49 Deceased on May 17 33 Baseball 44 Family tree Report an error [12], The Twins finally won the American League pennant during the 1965 season. (CBS/AP) The death of beloved baseball great Harmon Killebrew has saddened the sports world and cast a spotlight on a rare and deadly disease.