Twins Hall Of Famer Harmon Killebrew Battles Esophageal Cancer

Former Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins star Harmon Killebrew has esophageal cancer and is being treated at the Mayo Clinic near his home in Arizona, he said in a statement released Thursday.
Killebrew, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984 after a career that included 11 All-Star Game selections and the 1969 Most Valuable Player award, said he was recently diagnosed with the disease.
Killebrew, 74, currently ranks 11th on the all-time major league home run list with 573, and his eight seasons with 40 or more homers still is tied for second in league history with Babe Ruth.
Killebrew spent 21 seasons with the Senators and Twins, in addition to one final season with the Kansas City Royals.
"With my wife, Nita, by my side, I have begun preparing for what is perhaps the most difficult battle of my life," Killebrew said in the statement. "I am being treated by a team of medical professionals at the Mayo Clinic. While my condition is very serious, I have confidence in my doctors and the medical staff, and I anticipate a full recovery.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, esophageal cancer is relatively uncommon in the United States, though it is more prevalent in other parts of the world. The esophagus carries food from the throat to the stomach so that it can be digested. Killebrew said he is optimistic about his chances for recovery.
Killebrew is one of the most beloved players in Twins history, as much for his gentle and approachable nature off the field as for the towering home runs he hit during his playing days.
"I tell everybody he's too nice to be a baseball player," former teammate Tony Oliva said Thursday. "He's a gentleman."
Twins designated hitter Jim Thome passed Killebrew on the career home run list in August, belting two at brand-new Target Field. After the feat, Killebrew issued a gracious congratulatory message to Thome.

"I speak very highly of Jim Thome," Killebrew said in September. "Not only is he a great player, but he's a great individual. I think he was a little apprehensive about passing me up. I said, 'Jim, I passed a lot of guys up myself along the way. I hope you hit 100 more.' "
Killebrew now makes his home in Phoenix area, but has maintained a regular presence with the Twins for years.
Killebrew's No. 3 jersey is retired, and he made several appearances at the Twins' new outdoor ballpark last season, including during their playoff series against the Yankees.
He is one of the biggest draws at the team's annual Twins Fest, a fan festival in January that serves as a buildup to spring training.
"I thank everyone for their outpouring of prayers, compassion and concern," he said. "Nita and I ask for privacy during this difficult journey."
Oliva said he was "shocked" when he found out about the diagnosis.
"You heard the word 'cancer' and it's a very tough word, but right now everything's so advanced that he's probably going to be all right," Oliva said in a phone interview. "The doctors do a great, great job."
Oliva saw Killebrew in September for the team's 50th season celebration that honored the franchise's best.
"He was looking fine, in beautiful shape," Oliva said. "He looked like he was in better shape than when he played.
"Everybody's pulling for him. Our prayers are going to be with him and his family," Oliva added.

Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.
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Ailing Killebrew on the minds of many as Twins celebrate 2010

By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com | 01/28/11 1:50 AM EST


MINNEAPOLIS -- Bert Blyleven was the toast of this year's annual Diamond Awards for the Twins. But the club didn't forget about another one of their Hall of Famers who could not be in attendance for the event.
On the night that the Twins celebrated Blyleven's election into Cooperstown by announcing that they would retire his No. 28 in mid-July, Rod Carew also called upon Twins fans to lend their support to legendary slugger Harmon Killebrew, who had to miss the event as he is currently battling esophageal cancer. "What I'd like each and every one of you to do is to take a minute, write to Harmon in care of the Minnesota Twins and he will get it," Carew said, as the program drew to a close. "I know that it will bring a smile to his face. Please do that in honor of one of the greatest people and players that has ever put on a Twins uniform."

Killebrew was on the minds of many, as the Twins celebrated their 2010 season on Thursday night with the sixth annual Diamond Awards, which took place at Target Field. And on a night when past, present and future Twins stars gathered to honor the winners of the awards handed out by the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, it was the research efforts for other illnesses that were the main focus of the event.
The proceeds from the Diamond Awards go toward the University of Minnesota's research to fight various neurological diseases -- including ataxia, Parkinson's disease, ALS, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
When the Diamond Awards began almost five years ago, all of the proceeds went to the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center, in memory of the former Twins player who passed away from the disease. But in recent years, the event expanded to include the other neurological disorders -- many of which are close to the club's heart. Two of Minnesota's former players -- Blyleven and Kert Hrbek -- each lost their fathers to Parkinson's and ALS, respectively.
So being able to give back to this particular cause is something that all of the players said makes this event a special one.
"It's a great event because it's positive in a lot of ways," said Michael Cuddyer. "Obviously first and foremost, the money that we raise helps so many people with ataxia, ALS and all these diseases that we're trying to find cures for and trying to raise awareness for. This event helps that. And it's also great for the players to be recognized for their hard work and achievements they were able to accomplish over the course of the season."
A total of 13 awards were given out and nearly all of the award winners were in attendance for the event. Extending what is expected to be a year-long celebration of his Hall of Fame election, Blyleven took home two awards on Thursday night. He was selected as the recipient of the Kirby Puckett Award for alumni community service, for his work with Parkinson's disease. He was also awarded with the Herb Carneal Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cuddyer and Joe Mauer each walked away with two honors. Mauer was honored with the Twins MVP Award and the Upper Midwest Player of the Year. Cuddyer was named the Bob Allison Leadership Award winner and also took home the Mike Augustin Media Good Guy Award.
Other award winners honored during the night included: Danny Valencia, Rookie of the Year; Delmon Young, Most Improved Twin; Joe Benson, Minor League Player of the Year; and Kyle Gibson, Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Carl Pavano could not attend the event due to some family matters, but he pre-taped his Pitcher of the Year Award acceptance speech.
One of the evening's pleasant surprises was that Jesse Crain, who signed a three-year deal with the White Sox this offseason, returned to accept the Carl R. Pohlad Community Service Award. Crain choked up slightly with emotion when he talked about what his time with the Twins meant to him.
"This is the only place I've ever been," said Crain, who was drafted by the Twins in the second round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. "I'd like to thank the Twins organization from the scouts, to the coaches, to the front office, to the players, of course. I've had the time of my life here. And I'm definitely going to miss everybody. But it is part of the game, and you're going to move on."
Twins CEO Jim Pohlad and manager Ron Gardenhire commended Crain for taking part in the event, and Crain drew a round of applause from those in attendance when he accepted his award. Of course, there had to be a few jokes with Crain, as well -- particularly since he will be the last Twins player to wear No. 28, now that the Twins are retiring it in Blyleven's honor.
"Hey Jesse, that's why you went to Chicago?" Blyleven said with a laugh after the announcement was made.
Over 565 people attended the event and helped to raise more than $100,000 for the University of Minnesota's research efforts. The event's chair, Patty Beadle, commended all of the people who were able to come and help out the cause. Dr. Jerrold Vitek, the University of Minnesota's new head of neurology, spoke about what this event means to the research. "This is really an event that affects so many people in so many ways," Vitek said. "You think about all these diseases, and there are millions of people around the world affected by these diseases. This event has drawn a lot of attention to that, and it's continued to accomplish a lot of new goals every year."