Harmon Killebrew Day

photo courtesy of Jim Mone/ASSOCIATED PRESS

There are a great many Twins fans heading into downtown to join with others to commemorate the life of Harmon Killebrew. Here’s all the details if you want to join Knuckleballs’ own JimCrikket and the rest. My advice is to get there as early as possible.

What: Public memorial

When: 7:10 p.m. today (broadcast coverage on FSN will begin at 6:00 pm)

Where: Target Field (gates open at 6)

Scheduled speakers: MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, Rod Carew, Paul Molitor, Jim Kaat, Tony Oliva, Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau

What fans should know: Event is free and open to everyone. General admission seating. Concession stands will be open. All attendees will receive a commemorative program.

Due to the solemnity of the day, Governor Dayton has declared today to be Harmon Killebrew Day here in Minnesota. I thought I would share his declaration here in it’s entirety.

Whereas:

Minnesota Twins legend and Hall of Famer, Harmon Clayton Killebrew, passed away on May 17, 2011, at the age of 74 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer; and

Whereas:

Mr. Killebrew’s Hall-of-Fame career began when he was signed out of the ball fields of Payette, Idaho by the Washington Senators, who moved to Minnesota in 1961 and became the Minnesota Twins; and

Whereas:

Thanks to quick hands and extraordinary upper-body strength, Mr. Killebrew developed into one of the most feared power hitters of all time, amassing a staggering 573 home runs throughout his career; and

Whereas:

Mr. Killebrew dominated the game, racking up 11 all-star game appearances, named American League Most Valuable Player in 1969, and, in 1965 led the Minnesota Twins to their first World Series appearance; and

Whereas:

After retiring, Mr. Killebrew’s illustrious career was recognized by Major League Baseball, when he was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1984; and

Whereas:

Much of Mr. Killebrew’s retirement was devoted to his foundation, the Harmon Killebrew Foundation, where he worked with the Minnesota Twin Community Fund and the Miracle League to bring the joy of baseball to children; and

Whereas:

Mr. Killebrew’s life should serve as an inspiration to everyone, and his work on the baseball diamond and through his foundation will never be forgotten; and

Whereas:

Today the citizens of Minnesota join with Mr. Killebrew’s surviving family members, his many friends, and his passionate legion of fans in celebrating the man an all he accomplished throughout his life, on an off the diamond.

Now, Therefore, I, Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim May 26, 2011 to be:

Harmon Killebrew Day

That was a truly amazing and moving service. If you were unable to watch it or attend, FSN has it divided into clips for you watch. I encourage you to take the opportunity.

Harmon Killebrew Memorial

Hi all, JC here… I agree with Babs, if you weren’t able to watch the Memorial, I highly recommend it. I was there and just thought I’d post a handful of pictures below.

Team mates, current players and other MLB & Twins execs along the 3rd base line, and members of the Killebrew family down the 1st base line

Rod Carew and wife Rhonda with (L to R) Michael Cuddyer, Jim Kaat, Henry Aaron

Harmon Killebrew's Autograph on the RCF wall

Jim "Mudcat" Grant sing's "What A Wonderful World", accompanied by Ric Oliva

The newly painted Killebrew watertower in behind Minnie and Paul

Killebrew team mate Jim Kaat speaks, with co-emcee Dick Bremer looking on

The Twins Tower with Killebrew's image

Killebrew's Legacy, kids who've benefitted from Miracle Field program circled the bases for Killer's 574th HR

Jim Thome shows us where Killebrew's "longest HR at Met Stadium" would have landed at Target Field.

Rest In Peace #3

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