The Harmon Killebrew Tribute tomorrow night at Target Field will attract one of the largest gatherings ever to attend a memorial service in Minnesota. “We’re preparing for 15,000,” Twins marketing executive Patrick Klinger said. “It’s one of those things where we just don’t know (how many) but we will be well staffed.”
The Twins will be ready to accommodate even more than 15,000, perhaps attracting an audience that approaches or exceeds the 20,000 that reportedly attended the 2002 memorial service for the late Paul Wellstone at the University of Minnesota. A 2006 memorial service for Kirby Puckett at the Metrodome had attendance of about 15,000.
The Killebrew public tribute will begin at 7:10 p.m. and well-wishers can enter the ballpark beginning at 6 p.m. Seating is general admission and while concession stands will be open no alcohol will be available.
Klinger said “in excess of 30 members” of Killebrew’s family will attend the tribute and nine speakers will be part of the 90 minute program including Killebrew’s widow, Nita. Other speakers will include MLB commissioner Bud Selig, Killebrew Twins teammate Rod Carew, and current Twins players Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer.
Musical tributes will come from Killebrew’s former teammate Jim “Mudcat” Grant, and Jeff Arundel, author of the Harmon Killebrew song, and The Minnesota Chorale. The Twins, who have invested hundreds of man-hours in preparation for the event, will offer various video tributes to Killebrew.
“It (the memorial event) will be touching,” Klinger said. “We’ve put together a nice plan.”
To recognize Killebrew’s accomplishments at Metropolitan Stadium, the Twins will wrap a light rail train with graphics honoring him. Former teammates will gather at the Mall of America around the location of Metropolitan Stadium’s home plate. Then the group will board the specially-named No. 3 Hiawatha light rail train and proceed to Target Field, stopping by the Metrodome to pick up additional Twins alumni.
In lieu of flowers, the Killebrew family is requesting that fans donate to the Harmon Killebrew Family Memorial Fund: Wells Fargo Acct#3471335038, c/o Minnesota Twins, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN 55403.