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EXTRA INNINGS a Life Lesson from Harmon Killebrew

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EXTRA INNINGS a Life Lesson from Harmon Killebrew EXTRA INNINGS A Life Lesson from Harmon Killebrew “Nice guys finish last” is a quote attributed to the scrappy, brash, win-at-all-costs Dodger manager, Leo “the Lip” Durocher. Leo Durocher never met Harmon Killebrew. Harmon Killebrew was a star high school athlete in the farm community of Payette, Idaho. He planned to accept a football scholarship from the University of Oregon after playing semi-pro baseball in the summer. In the meantime, Idaho Senator Herman Welker contacted the Washington Senators to tell them about this 17-year-old farm kid who was hitting an astonishing .847 in semi-pro ball. They rushed a scout to Payette where he watched Killebrew go 12-for-12 in 3 games and blast a 435-foot home run into a sugar beet field. The Red Sox were after him, too, but the Washington scout inked him to a contract in June 1954. While playing for the Washington Senators (later to become the Minnesota Twins) the 5’-11”, 220-lb. Killebrew was known for his tremendous upper body strength (“Paul Bunyan with a uniform on” according to teammate Kent Hrbek) and powerful wrists (lifting 10- gallon milk cans will do that). He smashed 573 home runs, many of them of the tape-measure variety, including a 522-foot blast in 1967. Opposing manager Paul Richards said, "The homers he hit against us would be homers in any park, including Yellowstone." Coach Ossie Bluege added, "He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy. And I don't mean infielders, I mean outfielders." He earned his nickname, “The Killer”, not for his demeanor, but for what he did to baseballs. An American League All-Star for 11 seasons and the League MVP in 1969, Killebrew was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1984. Check out this video https://vimeo.com/234028259 Killebrew was not only one of the most feared sluggers in baseball, but he was also a true gentleman, one of the nicest guys in baseball. Teammate Rod Carew said, “He was a consummate professional who treated everyone from the brashest of rookies to the groundskeepers to the ushers in the stadium with the utmost respect”. When he signed autographs for kids, he took time to chat with them. Umpire Ron Luciano said, “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. I’d call a tough strike on him and he would turn around and say approvingly, “Good call”. And from Jim Pohlad, CEO of the Minnesota Twins, “The Twins will remember Harmon for his many on-field contributions but more importantly for the impeccable quality of his character, his great integrity, and his compassion for everyone he encountered.” Several years ago, after he retired, I ran across Killebrew in the San Francisco airport. In that brief, 30-second encounter it was obvious to me that he was a very personable, kind, and classy guy. Killebrew died of esophageal cancer in 2011, but his legacy continues through his Foundation, which has helped build Miracle League sports fields for children with disabilities. With the decline of decency, civility and respect in America today, it is good to be reminded that Killebrew’s qualities are a strength, not a weakness, and that nice guys don’t have to finish last. Leo Durocher, meet Harmon Killebrew. Pete Aman 9/3/19 .
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