Killebrew, Harmon Clayton

Killebrew, Harmon Clayton,

1936–2011, American baseball player, b. Payette, Idaho. A soft-spoken slugger nicknamed "Killer," he played in the American League, beginning (1954) with the Washington Senators and staying with them after they became (1961) the Minnesota Twins; he played his last year (1975) with the Kansas City Royals. The powerful long-ball hitter belted 573 career home runs and was an all-star 13 times. Killebrew also led the league in homers six seasons, hit 40 or more home runs eight seasons, drove in 100 or more runs nine seasons, and was MVP in 1959. An adequate fielder, he played at first and third and in the outfield during his career. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.