Biography harmon killebrew

Harmon Killebrew was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1960s – and when he retired in 1975, he had accumulated more home runs than any right-handed batter in American League history.

Said former Washington Senators player, manager and coach Ossie Bluege: "He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy. And I don't mean infielders, I mean outfielders."

It was on the high school ball fields of the small town of Payette Idaho, where Killebrew was discovered by the Senators in 1954. The 17-year-old slugger signed on with the club for a large bonus and the rules of the day dictated that the team had to keep the youngster on the major league roster for two years or risk losing him to another team.

In 1959, at age 23, Killebrew had a breakout year at the hot corner, hitting an AL-best 42 home runs to go with 105 RBI. He was named to the first two of his 13 All-Star Games that year.

It was the nature of his tape measure home runs combined with the first

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Harmon Clayton Killebrew, Jr.
Born: June 29, 1936, in Payette, Idaho.
Signed: Washington Senators 1954 (17 yrs)
Primary position: 1st Baseman
Primary team: Minnesota Twins
Inducted to the Hall of Fame in: 1984

Did You Know?

Harmon Killebrew was regarded as one of the most feared sluggers of the 1960s. By 1975, when he retired, Killebrew hit more home runs than any right-handed batter in American League history. Said former Washington Senators player, manager and coach Ossie Bluege “He hit line drives that put the opposition in jeopardy. And I don’t mean infielders, I mean outfielders.”

In 1959, at age 23, Killebrew had a breakout year at the hot corner hitting 42 home runs with 105 RBI. Orioles manager Paul Richards marveled at his immense power and prestigious blasts, “Killebrew can knock the ball out of any park, including Yellowstone”.

June 3, 1967 – Kellebrew’s hit a home run estimated to have traveled more than 520 feet