Because the date is 3/3 and Harmon Killebrew wore No. 3, the Minnesota Twins are asking fans for their favorite Harmon memory on the team's Facebook page. On the field, there are plenty of memorable Harmon moments; a big one for me are the two monumental blasts he hit at the Met on consecutive days in June 1967. The first one, a 522-foot moonshot on June 3, struck a seat in the upper deck in left field, which the Twins painted red and now hangs in roughly its original location at Mall of America.
Though that home run is considered the longest ever hit at the Met, his shot the next day may have traveled just as far. It struck the facade of the upper deck one section over toward center field, causing Twins players to debate which home run would have traveled farther if the upper deck wasn't in the way. Harmon thought the blast off the facade would have because he says he hit it harder.
But my favorite Harmon memory took place off the field. I was in the Twins' offices at the Metrodome to interview him for the Tony Oliva bio. He had just arrived from the airport, and as we walked through the office to a conference room, he stopped and greeted every employee. He called them by name, referenced a story they had shared, and was pleasant to all. It was hard not to be touched by the Hall of Famer's humility.
Harmon was a legend on the field and off the field. On another occasion, he may have been the only player, current or retired, when asked if he might sit down for an interview with me, responded with: "How about now?" He was always so kind to me, and I won't forget that either.
Though that home run is considered the longest ever hit at the Met, his shot the next day may have traveled just as far. It struck the facade of the upper deck one section over toward center field, causing Twins players to debate which home run would have traveled farther if the upper deck wasn't in the way. Harmon thought the blast off the facade would have because he says he hit it harder.
But my favorite Harmon memory took place off the field. I was in the Twins' offices at the Metrodome to interview him for the Tony Oliva bio. He had just arrived from the airport, and as we walked through the office to a conference room, he stopped and greeted every employee. He called them by name, referenced a story they had shared, and was pleasant to all. It was hard not to be touched by the Hall of Famer's humility.
Harmon was a legend on the field and off the field. On another occasion, he may have been the only player, current or retired, when asked if he might sit down for an interview with me, responded with: "How about now?" He was always so kind to me, and I won't forget that either.