Harmon Killebrew was scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch this afternoon for the Twins’ home opener against Oakland, but will remain at home in Arizona where he receives chemotherapy.  Longtime teammate Tony Oliva will sub for Killebrew and his grandson, Casey Killebrew, a baseball player at Apple Valley High School, will catch the ceremonial first pitch.

The Twins’ legendary slugger and Hall of Famer was diagnosed with esophageal      cancer in December.  The 74-year-old is a hero to every generation of Upper Midwest baseball fans and his appearance at Target Field today was anticipated by his many admirers.

Twins’ officials including marketing vice president Patrick Klinger received the disappointing news earlier this week that Killebrew thought it best not to travel and throw out the first pitch.  “He was my choice from the beginning, but I always knew there was a chance he might not make it here,” Klinger said.  “Chemo can knock you on your backside.”

Klinger saw Killebrew in spring training where he spent five days with the Twins.  “He looked fit, his voice was good and he was in great spirits,” Klinger said.

Killebrew’s 75^th birthday will be on June 29 and he’s scheduled to be in town for his charity golf event.  The Twins play the Dodgers at Target Field that day and Klinger said the club will recognize Killebrew’s birthday at the game.

No doubt he will receive a long standing ovation from the crowd while a regional TV audience applauds at home. The “Killer” was the face of the franchise in its early years and by the time his major league career had ended in 1975 he had 573 home runs.  Killebrew later worked on Twins’ broadcasts and has remained part of the franchise in recent years as a special assistant.

But even without all the home runs and the Hall of Fame resume, Killebrew would make you rise to your feet and wipe a tear away.  Countless ball players, media and fans know Killebrew is a wonderful person − a gracious, caring and approachable man.

Killebrew is on a short list of the best people I have encountered in professional sports.  With his everyday manner, the “Killer” might just as well be the Twins’ clubhouse attendant, not the guy who ranks No. 3 on the all-time American League home run list.

Comments Welcome

At 11:30 a.m. today a bronze statue of Oliva will be unveiled near Gate 6, adding to the Target Field tributes of the Twins’ greatest players.  Oliva, who played with Killebrew from 1962-1974, had a lifetime batting average of .304 and is one of six Twins to have his number retired.

Although he won three American League batting titles and was an eight-time All-Star, Oliva isn’t in baseball’s Hall of Fame.  Now 70 years old, Oliva’s statue at Target Field may become the most lasting tribute to a great hitter who after retirement remained in this community and is a special assistant with the Twins’ organization.

Oliva, like Killebrew, is an affable guy who so often has been willing to help others.  He will receive a lot of love from the fans and organization today.

Oliva will remember this day, too, because his son Rick Oliva, along with Maria Versalles, will perform the National Anthem before the game.  Versalles is the daughter of the late Zoilo Versalles, the American League MVP shortstop on the Twins’ 1965 pennant winner and former teammate of Killebrew and Oliva.

Some fans will be able to meet Oliva today.  At noon he will be at Gate 6 greeting fans (in recognition of his No. 6 uniform number).

Kent Hrbek will be at Gate 14, Rod Carew at 29 and the late Kirby Puckett’s children, Kirby, Jr. and Catherine, at 34.  Killebrew’s sons, Cam and Ken, will substitute for their father at Gate 3.

Comments Welcome

The Twins will be accepting donations at the gates on behalf of Feed My Starving Children and UNICEF to aid in the relief efforts in Japan.

John Gordon, beginning his final season as the team’s radio play-by-play announcer, will raise the Twins Territory Flag before the game.  Gordon began broadcasting Twins games in 1987.

The sixth-annual “Friday Night at the Frozen Four” is tonight from 4:30-9:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.  The event includes the presentation of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and the Hockey Humanitarian Award, plus appearances by 24 college hockey legends.  Among that group will be former Gopher and Hobey Baker winner Neal Broten.

Fans can skate on the ice with the celebrities and also receive autographs.  Tickets are $13 ($8 for students, seniors (55+) and available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

FOX Sports North analyst Kevin Gorg told Sports Headliners that Edina native Anders Lee, playing for the Notre Dame team that lost to Minnesota Duluth last night in the Frozen Four, has a “ton of potential” including scoring skills and is a sure NHL prospect.  Lee, 6-3, is a freshman center for the Irish.

Wild prospect Sean Lorenz (fourth round, 2008 NHL Entry Draft) also plays for Notre Dame.  He was named CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year.

Another Wild prospect, Mikael Granlund (first round, 2010 NHL Entry Draft), set an SM-liiga record when he earned five points (two goals, three assists) in 12 minutes, 38 seconds. It was the fastest five points in SM-liiga history and the first five point period in Finnish Elite League playoff history. The performance led HIFK Helsinki to a 7-1 win and advancement to the SM-liiga finals.  Overall, Granlund leads the league with 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 11 playoff games.

It wouldn’t be surprising if there is an announcement soon after the Wild’s final regular season game on Sunday regarding the future of coach Todd Richards.

Everyone expects the Lynx to choose Connecticut sensation Maya Moore with the first pick in Monday’s WNBA draft.  Moore is the NCAA’s first ever three-time Wade Trophy winner.  During Moore’s college career the Huskies’ record was 150-4, the best for any player in men’s or women’s NCAA history.

NBA star Kevin Durant said this on ESPN earlier this week: “She does things on the court that you see Kobe (Bryant) or LeBron (James) do.”

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve sees Moore, a forward, as a player with exceptional passion and multiple skills including shooting.  “I think she was even honored on the all-defensive side of things,” Reeve said.  “A player that does a little of everything and is determined to be the best.”

Former Benilde-St. Margaret’s player and Iowa Hawkeye prospect Kachine Alexander is expected to be drafted during the second or third round.  She is projected as a shooting guard in the WNBA.

Gophers football coach Jerry Kill has designated quarterback MarQueis Gray as the team’s player representative on a media teleconference call next week involving Big Ten programs.

 

Comments Welcome