In journalism school they taught us to be objective in our reporting. Write the news with accuracy, balance and fairness. No biases…keep your personal feelings out of the news.
With Harmon Killebrew it’s an impossible assignment. He’s been a hero to Minnesotans for six decades and deservedly so. The greatest slugger in Minnesota Twins history commanded our attention with his work on and off the field, but now he’s in the news because esophageal cancer will end his life.
Killebrew is in hospice and issued this statement late last week: “It is with profound sadness that I share with you that my continued battle with esophageal cancer is coming to an end. With the continued love and support of my wife, Nita, I have exhausted all options with respect to controlling this awful disease. My illness has progressed beyond my doctors’ expectation of cure.
“I have spent the past decade of my life promoting hospice care and educating people on its benefits. I am very comfortable taking this next step and experiencing the compassionate care that hospice provides.
“I am comforted by the fact that I am surrounded by my family and friends. I thank you for the outpouring of concern, prayers and encouragement that you have shown me. I look forward to spending my final days in comfort and peace with Nita by my side.”
The statement reflects the character of Killebrew. The words are consistent with the grace and class with which he lived his life. Unlike so many athletes, Killebrew was a man who thought not just of himself, but how he could acknowledge and serve others including through the nonprofit Harmon Killebrew Foundation.
During the last several years Killebrew, who lives in Arizona, came here to help the Twins Community Fund and the Miracle League of Minnesota, a charitable organization providing children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball on a team in an organized league. Miracle League rules stipulate that every child must bat and score a run in a game. “You should see the smiles on their faces when they do that,” Killebrew told Sports Headliners in 2009. “It’s just great. …”