The Greatest Twin Ever

[JoltinJoe]

One of the great power hitters of all time, Harmon Killebrew, has announced that he has lost his battle with esophageal cancer and will spend his last days in hospice care. His statement is really a courageous good-bye.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/ ... to-an-end/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One of my favorite all-time baseball cards:

[TwinTownBisonFan]

The man is purest class. Even as he's facing death, he does it with dignity and honor.

damn shame though...

[JoltinJoe]

The man is purest class. Even as he's facing death, he does it with dignity and honor.

damn shame though...

Yes. I look at that card now and see two guys who really showed genuine strength and grace as they approached their final days -- really earning the title "Superstar."

[bandl]

I've got that baseball card! Got alot of those Topps superstar cards from the 60's-80's actually. Used to be worth a good amount last time I checked...maybe $200? I have no idea now.

Never saw him play though, that was before my time.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

The man is purest class. Even as he's facing death, he does it with dignity and honor.

damn shame though...

Yes. I look at that card now and see two guys who really showed genuine strength and grace as they approached their final days -- really earning the title "Superstar."

Mickey's final act may have been one of the most amazing of all time. To have the courage to own your mistakes and misdeeds, and to hold yourself up as an example of what not to do... took serious stones.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

by the by... Harmon was actually the model for the MLB Logo. He mentioned it at the unveiling of his statue in Minneapolis.

[JoltinJoe]

Yes. I look at that card now and see two guys who really showed genuine strength and grace as they approached their final days -- really earning the title "Superstar."

Mickey's final act may have been one of the most amazing of all time. To have the courage to own your mistakes and misdeeds, and to hold yourself up as an example of what not to do... took serious stones.

Mantle's best days were the 18 months he had after kicking the bottle. First, he became an advocate for staying clean and treating alcoholism and then for organ donation. His last appearance at Yankee Stadium was by video at old timers' day in 1995. He was too sick to attend in person, but he said he wanted everyone to know that he was not a hero -- the hero was the guy who had given him a second chance at life.

He was miserable as a drunk, and a miserable drunk, by his own acknowledgement.

[JoltinJoe]

I've got that baseball card! Got alot of those Topps superstar cards from the 60's-80's actually. Used to be worth a good amount last time I checked...maybe $200? I have no idea now.

Never saw him play though, that was before my time.

Probably a bit more in good condition. It's a great card.

[dbackjon]

Very sad

[SuperHornet]

Had anyone asked my opinion on the greatest Twin ever, I would have said Bert Blyleven, completely forgetting about Killebrew. What a dummy. Killebrew wins that argument hands down.

I think I'd have to rank them:

1. Killebrew
2. Blyleven
3. Puckett
4. Hrbeck
5. Gaetti

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Had anyone asked my opinion on the greatest twin ever, I would have said Bert Blyleven, completely forgetting about Killebrew. What a dummy. Killebrew wins that argument hands down.

I think I'd have to rank them:

1. Killebrew
2. Blyleven
3. Puckett
4. Hrbeck
5. Gaetti

1. Killebrew
2. Carew
3. Oliva
4. Puckett
5. Blyleven
6. Hrbek
7. Santana
8. Viola
9. Gaetti
10. Brunansky

maybe some movement on 8-10 some other names like Allison, Molitor, Reardon, Nathan, Mauer and Morneau to be considered...

[JoltinJoe]

3. Oliva

Should be in the Hall.

[andy7171]

Hrbeck always made me confident in calling myself an athlete.

[Ivytalk]

3. Oliva

Should be in the Hall.

Oliva was a great hitter. Career shortened by hobbling injuries. Tony was Rookie of the Year the same year as Phillie Richie ("Call me Dick") Allen.

Killebrew could mash 'em. That '65 Twins lineup was awesome. Guys like Killebrew, Oliva, Mincher, Versalles, Allison, Hall...

[SuperHornet]

TTBF:

Perhaps this comes from my coming at it from so late, but I eliminated Carew from that discussion because I've always remembered him as an Angel.

Of course, that might just be my WCB coming through.

Molitor is probably better mentioned for his time with the Brewers. It might be a bit soon to include Morneau in the discussion, but he will DEFINITELY be included one day. And had I taken the list to 10 as you did, Viola would DEFINITELY have made it. And if one starts talking managers, Kelly just about HAS to be at the top of the list, right?

[TwinTownBisonFan]

TTBF:

Perhaps this comes from my coming at it from so late, but I eliminated Carew from that discussion because I've always remembered him as an Angel.

Of course, that might just be my WCB coming through.

Molitor is probably better mentioned for his time with the Brewers. It might be a bit soon to include Morneau in the discussion, but he will DEFINITELY be included one day. And had I taken the list to 10 as you did, Viola would DEFINITELY have made it. And if one starts talking managers, Kelly just about HAS to be at the top of the list, right?

He may be better remember as an Angel by you... he's in the Hall of Fame wearing a TC cap. Moreover - my evaluation is based on the players time in uniform... There are 5 numbers retired by the team: Killebrew, Carew, Oliva, Puckett, Hrbek and soon a sixth, Blyleven.

Morneau and Mauer should both end up on this list someday... but that's only if they can overcome their health problems...

as for Managers, TK will always be first in hearts and minds... Gardenhire is becoming an almost tragic figure whose inability to win in the post-season is becoming a punchline.

[Ivytalk]

as for Managers, TK will always be first in hearts and minds... Gardenhire is becoming an almost tragic figure whose inability to win in the post-season is becoming a punchline.

I'm old enough to remember Sam Mele.

[JoltinJoe]

as for Managers, TK will always be first in hearts and minds... Gardenhire is becoming an almost tragic figure whose inability to win in the post-season is becoming a punchline.

I'm old enough to remember Sam Mele.

Who?

[SuperHornet]

I'm old enough to remember Sam Mele.

Who?

You of all people should know this, Joe. I had to look it up myself.

Mele was the Twinkies' manager when they broke the Yankees' stranglehold on the AL Pennant in 1965.

[grizzaholic]

Personally..I kind of liked the Left DoubleMint Twin the best. She might have been one of the best Twin's ever.

[SuperHornet]

Personally..I kind of liked the Left DoubleMint Twin the best. She might have been one of the best Twin's ever.

[bulldog10jw]

Killebrew could mash 'em. That '65 Twins lineup was awesome. Guys like Killebrew, Oliva, Mincher, Versalles, Allison, Hall...

Shows how great Koufax was, shutting out that lineup twice in the '65 series, the second time on 2 days rest.

[AZGrizFan]

Esophageal cancer.....chewing tobacco.....connection?

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Esophageal cancer.....chewing tobacco.....connection?

Except that Harmon didn't use chaw...

Harmon is a Mormon, so no tobacco, no alcohol, no caffeine... (he does endorse a brand of root beer that is very popular at Target Field - but I suspect there is no link between that and esophageal cancer)

[DJH]

Had anyone asked my opinion on the greatest twin ever, I would have said Bert Blyleven, completely forgetting about Killebrew. What a dummy. Killebrew wins that argument hands down.

I think I'd have to rank them:

1. Killebrew
2. Blyleven
3. Puckett
4. Hrbeck
5. Gaetti

1. Killebrew
2. Carew
3. Oliva
4. Puckett
5. Blyleven
6. Hrbek
7. Santana
8. Viola
9. Gaetti
10. Brunansky

maybe some movement on 8-10 some other names like Allison, Molitor, Reardon, Nathan, Mauer and Morneau to be considered...

Mauer and Morneau both have MVPs. That alone almost has to put them on the list, even this early in their careers. How many on your list have won an MVP with the Twins?