Those in attendance at Carol’s funeral included former players and coaches during the Warmath era.  Some came from out of town including Bobby Bell, the two-time All-American who more than any player was responsible for a remarkable run from 1960-62 when the Gophers won 22 of 29 games.

Like Carol, Bell lives in the Kansas City area.  He was making a public appearance in December of last year when he saw Carol.  It was a connection he will long remember and be grateful for.

Bell knew Carol when he played for the Gophers. “All the coaches just treated us like part of the family,” Bell said.

In December Carol modestly told Bell he didn’t remember her.  He replied: “Oh, yes I do.”  And then he gave her hug.

Carol remembered Bell and a long list of other Gophers who played for her father.  Even last year she was back in Minneapolis to watch the Gophers play in their new stadium.  She never forgot her alma mater and the place her dad earned so much fame.

Carol Warmath Dillow was a special Golden Gopher.  And at the funeral service to celebrate her life last Friday the processional music couldn’t have been more appropriate:

The “Minnesota Rouser!”

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Hall of famer Harmon (“Killer”) Killebrew told Sports Headliners on Wednesday that the Twins have a great hitting and fielding team, but will be tested in their weekend series that starts tonight in New York against the Yankees.

Although the Twins won the Central Division championship last year, they couldn’t defeat the Yankees in a single game during 2009 including three playoff games.  In regular season games the Twins are 14-41 against the Yankees since 2002 and 3-23 at Yankee Stadium.

Killebrew, who played 14 seasons with the Twins and remains close to the organization, doesn’t fuss over the past, emphasizing this is a new season and ballclub.  He agrees, though, the weekend series with the Yankees, a return series in Minneapolis later this month and a May 19-20 series in Boston will let the Twins know more about their ball club.

“I think so because you have to look at the Yankees as a standard in the American League,” he said. “I think they know they (the Twins) can beat any club in baseball right now.  If they can play well in this series coming up against the Yankees I think it will mean a lot for this season.”

Killebrew said “good pitching” usually bests “good hitting” and the Twins staff will likely determine how much this year’s team accomplishes.  “We have a great defensive ball club,” he said.  “We have a great hitting ball club, and we do have some really good pitchers.”

The Twins, 22-12, lead the Central Division, while New York has the same record and is in second place in the East.  There’s much opinion that the 2009 World Series champion Yankees are still among the best teams in baseball.  ESPN Power rankings list the Rays No. 1, followed by the Yankees and Twins.  https://espn.go.com/mlb/powerrankings

Killebrew is impressed with the Twins’ depth and the club has won despite injuries that have sidelined several players including pitchers Joe Nathan (out for the season), Jose Mijares and Pat Neshek, plus catcher Joe Mauer, first baseman Justin Morneau, second baseman Orlando Hudson, shortstop J.J. Hardy (on the disabled list) and third baseman Nick Punto.

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Killebrew plans to call and congratulate Jim Thome after Thome ties or exceeds Killebrew’s career home run total of 573.  What will Killebrew say?

“I passed up a lot of guys myself.  Don’t feel bad about it,” Killebrew answered.

Thome, 39, has five home runs in his first season with the Twins.  He needs four more to tie Killebrew’s 573 that ranks 10^th on baseball’s career home run list.

Killebrew, who is the Twins’ all-time home run leader, was asked about Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire, three sluggers whose names have been associated with steroids but rank first, sixth and ninth on baseball’s all-time home run list. Killebrew said the accusations “changed the whole complexion of baseball.”

“Baseball is predicated on statistics…and this has changed the history of the game forever,” he said. “I don’t know what they’re going to do.  I’ve even talked to the commissioner and he’s at a loss to know how to completely handle this situation as well.”

Killebrew said Senator Jim Bunning, a former big league pitcher, has been outspoken about players who use performance enhancing drugs.  He’s called for obliteration of their records but Killebrew said how does anyone know what statistics were compiled while using drugs?

“It’s a cloud over baseball that shouldn’t be there,” Killebrew said.  “It’s such a beautiful game and to have that over the game of baseball…it makes you sad.”

Killebrew, who makes his home in Arizona, will be in town later this month to host the 7^th Annual Kwik Trip Harmon Killebrew Classic on May 23 and 24.  The classic will benefit the Twins Community Fund and the Miracle League of Minnesota.  The fund provides resources for community baseball and softball.  The Miracle League provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league.

Tickets are available to the public for a dinner and auction starting at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 23 at the Target Field.  The cost is $150 per person or $1,000 for ten. Killebrew will greet all who attend.  Silent and live auctions will feature a variety of items including baseball memorabilia for collectors and fans.  The celebrity golf tournament  Monday, May 24 is sold out.  For more information and to see auction lists, visit www.harmonkillebrewfoundation.org.

Helping others has been part of Killebrew’s makeup for a long time.  The Miracle League inspires him.  He recalled a story told to him about a Miracle League youngster in another state who while playing in a game made it all the way to third base in a wheelchair.  Then the inspired youngster got on his belly and crawled to home plate.  “The physical therapist said it was worth a year’s work just playing that one situation with the Miracle League game,” Killebrew said.

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