Classic Photos of Harmon Killebrew

SI Staff | May 17, 2011

Classic Photos of Harmon Killebrew

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Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew warms up in the on-deck circle. Killebrew played for the Twins from 1961 to 1974.

Killebrew, then with the Senators, poses with the Yankees' Bill Skowron and Casey Stengal. Killebrew led the majors with 42 home runs during the season.

Hammerin' Harmon fouls off a pitch during the first inning of a game with the Yankees. The Twins fell 6-0 on the day, which wasn't a big surprise -- Minnesota, in its inaugural season, finished 70-90, while New York won a league-best 109 games and took the World Series title.

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No. 3 takes a cut. Minnesota retired his number in 1975. He was the first Twins player to receive this honor.

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Killebrew only hit .256 during his career, but thanks to 1,559 walks during his career (15th best all-time), his on-base percentage of .376 was more respectable.

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Killebrew ranks 11th all-time with 573 home runs. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1984 in his fourth year on the ballot.

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Killebrew prepares for a pitch. The Twins slugger led the majors in home runs six times during his career, including with a career-high 49 in 1964 and 1969.

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The power hitter holds up baseballs No. 500 and 501 after becoming the 10th major leaguer to break into the 500-homer club. His 500th came off Baltimore's Mike Cuellar and traveled into the left-field bleachers.

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Then home run king Hank Aaron and Killebrew (then fifth in career homers) sit in the dugout after engaging in a home run hitting contest before an Atlanta-Minnesota exhibition game. Each hit three homers during the contest.

Killebrew poses with a statue of himself after its unveiling near Target Field in Minneapolis.