HARMON KILLEBREW

Harmon Killebrew became the Senators’ first “bonus baby,” in 1954, signing a week before his 18th birthday on the recommendation of a U.S. senator from his home state of Idaho. Killebrew went on to tie or lead the American League in home runs six times, belted 40 or more homers on eight occasions and knocked in 100 or more runs nine times. A quiet, soft-spoken individual, the Idaho native was nicknamed “Killer” because of his raw power. He still ranks in the top ten all-time home run hitters. Killebrew, a nine-time All Star, won the American League MVP Award in 1969, when he led the league in home runs, RBI, walks and on-base percentage.

G2435 AB8147 R1283 H2086 2B290 3B24 HR573 RBI1584 AVE.256

Text and images courtesy of Dick Perez’s The Immortals - An Art Collection of Baseball’s Best