Article: Twins Bite-Sized History: Killebrew Leads A Revival

[John Bonnes]

The team that came to Minnesota included future stars like Earl Battey, Bob Allison, Camilo Pascual and Jim Kaat. But they were joined by an absolute killer.

Harmon “Killer” Killebrew was hardly a giant, just 5’ 11” with a stocky build. That physique didn’t hide his power potential. He was valuable enough to be signed for a bonus above $4,000, qualifying Killebrew as a “bonus baby”. As a way of discouraging high bonuses, this classification required the young slugger to spend two years in the majors before being sent to the minors to begin his minor league training. His two-year stint riding the major league bench delayed Killebrew from playing full time in the majors until 1959, when he was 22 years old.When Killebrew returned to the majors, he burst on the scene with a league-leading 42 home runs. He would do so another five times before his career was over, and finish in the top five an astounding 12 times. He won the American League MVP in 1969 and received votes for the first 11 years of the Twins existence, with the exception of 1968, when he was hurt.

 Part 2 of a 12-part series that breaks Twins history into fun-sized chunks.
You can find more here: Part 1
 

Killebrew had a quiet demeanor. He was known as a listener, not a screamer, someone who wasn’t comfortable setting himself apart from the other guys. But his performance couldn’t help but do so, and he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.

With Killebrew leading an already talented club, it wouldn’t be long before the Twins escaped the American League’s second division. The team won 91 games in both 1962 and 1963, climbing to second in 1962 and then finishing third in 1963. When the club slipped back to 79-83 in 1964, despite Tony Oliva’s Rookie of the Year award, the players, fans and team management were all dissatisfied. That disappointment may have provided the fuel the team needed to finally reach the World Series.

It didn't hurt that they made a key addition to their coaching staff. Joining manager Sam Mele and pitching coach John Sain was by Billy Martin, the fiery former second baseman of the New York Yankees, who had finished atop the Twins division since they had arrived in Minnesota in 1961. Martin would contribute to his former team's downfall, but the death blow to "The Damn Yankees" would be delivered by Killer.
 

Next: Part III, A Quick Rise, A Quick Fall

Click here to view the article

[Jerr]

Very nice article!!! Thanks!

[Seth Stohs]

I really think people will enjoy this series. It's fun to look at in these smaller chunks.

 

Killebrew is such a fascinating figure in Twins history. I wish I would have known more about him when he was still alive. I wish I would have had the chance to meet him. 

[JB_Iowa]

Love this series, John.  Thanks.

 

I suspect that I felt about Harmon as a child the way later fans felt about Kirby or Herbie  ......  just larger than life.

[Marv Gustafson]

In my opinion, Killebrew was unquestionably the greatest Twin ever. Especially if you take into account his off the field behavior in addition to the mighty contributions he made on the field. If you add the Senator years to the equation, I'd  rate only Walter Johnson above him. Thanks for posting this.

[HitInAPinch]

I can't access Part 1.  Error message says:  Sorry, you don't have permission for that!

[ashbury]

I can't access Part 1.  Error message says:  Sorry, you don't have permission for that!

Fixed it.  I think.  If not, I'm sure I'll hear from the Admins not to ever try a fool thing like that again.

[bird]

Loved it when the Killer powered one out to left-center, flipped the bat and stood admiring it, and then did the slow trot around the bases jawing with the pitcher.

 

Not.

[USAFChief]

Loved it when the Killer powered one out to left-center, flipped the bat and stood admiring it, and then did the slow trot around the bases jawing with the pitcher.

 

Not.

Yeah, that wasn't an intentional slow trot, that was full speed.

 

On a serious note, great article, John.

 

Minnesota Twins player lore begins with Harmon Killebrew.

[bird]

Yeah, that wasn't an intentional slow trot, that was full speed.

 

On a serious note, great article, John.

 

Minnesota Twins player lore begins with Harmon Killebrew.

 

Didn't you just love it when Cookie Lavagetto put the double steal on for Killebrew and Battey?

[HitInAPinch]

Fixed it.  I think.  If not, I'm sure I'll hear from the Admins not to ever try a fool thing like that again.

Many thanks!  Any article on Killebrew is tops on my list.  One more favor:  can you create a title for all of your articles?  Like "Twins history into fun-sized chunks  - Part 1" ? 

[HitInAPinch]

Many thanks!  Any article on Killebrew is tops on my list.  One more favor:  can you create a title for all of your articles?  Like "Twins history into fun-sized chunks  - Part 1" ? 

Oops, guessed I missed it.  TWINS BITE-SIZE HISTORY lol

[Ex-Iowegian]

Kind of miss Harmon being 'around' the Twins these days.

 

Seems like he was never that far away.