Harmon Killebrew Quotes & Sayings

I didn't think much about batting average when I was playing. — Harmon Killebrew

I want to say that maybe I've made some wrong decisions, but I'm still an honorable person, and I intend to take care of all of my obligations. — Harmon Killebrew

There was a time when rival teams used a shift against me. They would put the second baseman on the shortstop's side of the bag, move the shortstop into the hole to his right, and have the third baseman hug the foul line. The idea was to build an infield wall against a known right-handed pull hitter. — Harmon Killebrew

I was set to go to Oregon to play college baseball and football. — Harmon Killebrew

Joe Mauer's the real deal. He is absolutely wonderful. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great human being. He's the kind of guy you'd like to see ... be your son. — Harmon Killebrew

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, 'You're tearing up the grass'; 'We're not raising grass,' Dad would reply. 'We're raising boys.' — Harmon Killebrew

Life is precious and time is a key element. Let's make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own. — Harmon Killebrew

In baseball, you pack your uniform in the clubhouse after a ball game, and you see it hanging up in your locker when you get to your next city. — Harmon Killebrew

I spent twenty-two seasons playing professional baseball. Naturally, success in that field is measured by batting averages, number of home runs and RBIs, fielding averages, ERAs and other statistics. Fame, notoriety and the bright lights fade quickly. To me, true success in life would be to develop both physically and spiritually to our fullest and to endure to the end! — Harmon Killebrew

The people in the Upper Midwest were the same kind of people I grew up around in Idaho. — Harmon Killebrew

Society doesn't like to deal with death, but it is a natural part of living. — Harmon Killebrew

I remember one spring when I was doing the team's telecasts, Bob Allison was with me, and we were walking through the clubhouse in Orlando. This kid who was trying to make it with the Twins as an outfielder came up to me and asked who was that with me. I said that's Bob Allison, and you better hope you have as good a career as he had. — Harmon Killebrew

It's very disappointing ... Anything that harms the integrity of the game is terrible. We always thought we were immune to drugs in baseball, but we know that's not true anymore. — Harmon Killebrew

No matter what, I've always been an optimistic person. — Harmon Killebrew

Hospice is such a tremendous thing. Patients seem to reach an inner peace. — Harmon Killebrew

At Tiger Stadium, the dugouts are so low that you walk in and hit your head on the ceiling. People would say, 'Don't feel bad. Ty Cobb did the same thing.' — Harmon Killebrew

When I was 14, and for the next four years, I was lifting and hauling 10-gallon milk cans full of milk. That will put muscles on you even if you're not trying. — Harmon Killebrew

It must be nice for today's hitters when you don't have to worry about being thrown at. It's a whole different deal. When I played, getting knocked down was an accepted part of the game. — Harmon Killebrew

Pitchers are smart. They know they are much better off if they mix things up and keep you off-balance. — Harmon Killebrew

How the hell can you play here? — Harmon Killebrew

Hitting .400 is something you can do by yourself. But you have to rely on guys getting on base at the right time to drive in that many runs. — Harmon Killebrew

I always tried to watch the pitcher and his complete windup from the moment he had the ball in his glove all the way through his motion, and tried to follow it all the way out of his hand, all the way to home plate. — Harmon Killebrew

I like happy endings. — Harmon Killebrew

I speak very highly of Jim Thome. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great individual. — Harmon Killebrew

Look for the seams (on a knuckleball) and then hit in-between them. — Harmon Killebrew

I do everything in a straightforward manner. — Harmon Killebrew

I didn't have evil intentions, but I guess I did have power. — Harmon Killebrew

We're not raising grass. We're raising boys. — Harmon Killebrew

I'm not a quitter. All my career, I went through a lot of physical adversity, injuries. It's in my nature to be a battler. — Harmon Killebrew

The Mayo Clinic is one of the largest and most experienced medical centers treating esophageal cancer in the world. — Harmon Killebrew

I found out early in life that I could hit a baseball farther than most players, and that's what I tried to do. — Harmon Killebrew

It takes a lot of dedication to quit smoking, and whether you give up for good on your first try or have to give it a couple of tries - just keep swinging at it and you will succeed. — Harmon Killebrew