Remembering the Late Harmon Killebrew

I have the unfortunate duty of passing along, or at the very least admitting that today is a very sad day for the game of baseball. Former power-hitting Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins star player, Harmon Killebrew passed away today after a long battle with esophageal cancer.
Killebrew was just 18 in 1954 when he made his debut for the Senators and went on to play for 21 seasons for the franchise that later moved to Minnesota. He played his final season as a Kansas City Royal. Killebrew led the majors in home runs 6 times in his career, led in RBI 3 times, and was considered one of the most feared hitters of his era. He won league MVP in 1969 with 49 homers, and 140 RBI, both league bests, and also a league best on base percentage of .427. Killebrew was an 11 time All-Star, at 3 different positions in 1B, 3B and LF. He was a weak fielder with a big bat when he first entered the majors, but developed into a solid first baseman. He's 11th all-time in homers (including roiders), 15th in walks, 8th in at bats per home run, and 57th all-time in adjusted OPS. He was the first of four hitters to ever hit the roof in left field of old Tiger Stadium, as he often set off tape measure shot only rivaled by guys like Mickey Mantle. Killebrew's only trip to the World Series was in 1965, where his Twins lost to the LA Dodgers in 7 games. He hit .286 in the Series with 1 homer and 2 RBI.
What attributes most to "the Killer"'s legacy was his longevity. Players like Billy Williams, Frank Howard, and Johnny Callison were some of his contemporaries and also power hitters, but they couldn't sustain the power over the years the way that Killebrew did. He was the quintessential throwback power hitter , and his best year's came in an era dominated by pitching.
Off the field Killebrew was a quiet, calmly-spoken man, which was much unexpected by the way he was able to attack a baseball. He was very much not one for the partying lifestyle of many of his peers. After retirement, he became chairman of a charity and golf tournament that has raised nearly $9 million for leukemia research.
Harmon Killebrew was 74 years old.
(photo courtesy of tchuddle.com)