Killebrew Things

[JCU]

Hello everybody, I've been looking at these forums for a few weeks now and then; nice site. I've been a Killebrew fan since I was 3-4 years old so along time lol. Over the years I picked up a few cool things, primarily before I got married, I also got to meet Harmon several times over the years, he was a great guy and very knowledgable about his memorabilia. I brought him a store bat and chair back to sign one time and he remembered me from him signing a card years before. He took the bat and said "where did you find this, it's still got the sticker on it" I told him it came from the basement of a hardware store. He said that it was more rare than a game bat and he would trade me for a game used bat. I told him I would gladly trade. I asked what made it so special and he said it was his first bat they made for retail and they didn't make many. So he signed it after admiring it for some time with people piled up behind us.
Then I took my "Killer K 500" directors chair back. He said I haven't seen this in years, he gave it to his neighbor when he moved from Prior Lake. The team made 3 when he hit his 500th HR. They made 3, red, blue and black; I have the black one I got from Dick Johnkowski (voice of the gophers) one was set on home plate for an interview (mine) one in the locker room and one in the dugout. He said he had one and his kids had the other. He was such a nice genuine man. I'll post some pics if there is any interest.

[Scott Garner]

Welcome to net54!
Definitely post pictures! Many of us are into show & tell

[71buc]

Welcome aboard, Killebrew was a class act, post some pictures I would love to see them.

[TUM301]

Please post these pictures, and any other ones of Harmon K. related items. My favorite baseball player for nearly 50 years now !

[prewarsports]

LOVE Killebrew! I live about 20 miles from where he grew up in Payette, Idaho.

I saw a documentary on him a few years back and something he quoted his father saying has stuck with me. I have 4 young boys that all run around playing sports and wreck my house just like the Killebrews did. It drives my wife crazy. Harmon said when he grew up and he and his brothers would wreck the grass playing baseball and his mother would get upset, his dad would put his hand on his wife's shoulder and say "we're raising boys here, not grass". I bet I use some form of that quote once a week!

[dwr11]

Harmon was my favorite player as well. Without a doubt the classiest player I have ever met. I actually got to know him back in the early 80's. A couple of times he sent me a letter wishing me luck in the upcoming sports season. He would always let me send him whatever I wanted him to sign in the mail and he would sign it and send it right back. I am looking forward to seeing the different Killebrew items that people have. Here are a couple of items to get it started.

[ooo-ribay]

Definitely post some pictures!

You guys might like this link, too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb_m9jEQCDo

~*~*~

[JCU]

Thats a cool banner and pin, I dont think Ive seen those. Thats a perfect song, reminds me of growing up in MN; only we had an Olds lol.
Heres the pix. The bat has some wear and dings but it was stored in a barrel in a basement for 30 years. I got it in 91 I think from a guy that bought out all of the stock from the store. I mentioned Harmon when we were randomly talking baseball and he said he had something for me.
The chair came when I met Dick and we started talking memorabilia, he had the most incredible collection I've seen, it took me about 3 months to be able to afford it in 89-90. It should be somewhere so people can enjoy it, I should see if the Target Field folks would like to use it for some time.

[JCU]

He said 1960 was his first bat and he could tell by the label that it was a 1960, anyone with more info I would be happy to hear either way. The end of the bat has a 4 as well

[Nashvol]

Killebrew signed and signed at our 2009 Nashville Old Timers banquet when he was guest speaker. Wonderful man, told great stories, was approachable and very cordial. He told how he practiced his signature so it was legible and felt that players who scribbled should do the same. Killer was awesome!

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by JCU

He said 1960 was his first bat and he could tell by the label that it was a 1960, anyone with more info I would be happy to hear either way. The end of the bat has a 4 as well

So, you never made the trade for a gamer?

[JCU]

No it never happened but if he wanted it more than a gamer it means that much more. He loved it as much as I do.

[dwr11]

Here are a few more Killebrew items. I would love to see any other Killebrew items that are out there.

Some of my Killebrew Things:

[dwr11]

Very nice collection. I love the Wilson sign. Thanks for sharing.

[ooo-ribay]

^^^^^^ to all you guys....very nice!

[whiteymet]

Hi Guys:

Not a Killebrew collector myself, but I do have two neat items.

The original mold for the 50's/60's Hartland statue and an unlisted 1962 Salada coin variation. Note the angle of the name and position as well as the number and Twins.

[Nashvol]

This is one of my prized possessions...

[dwr11]

Here are a few more Killebrew items to keep the thread going.

[hcv123]

I love that. I love finding non sports publications with popular or collected sports players on them. Thanks for sharing!

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by dwr11

Here are a few more Killebrew items to keep the thread going.

Thanks so much for keeping it going. Those are some very cool items that any player collector can enjoy (do you have anything unsigned?!?).

[ValKehl]

Karl, I didn't see a 1973 Topps Pin-Up in your fabulous Killebrew collection, but my eyes may have missed it.
Val

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Karl, I didn't see a 1973 Topps Pin-Up in your fabulous Killebrew collection, but my eyes may have missed it.
Val

Love the Pin-Up! I actually had one, but sold it a few years back. I started out collecting absolutely everything Killebrew, but the collection got too big. I couldn't display half of it, and anything I couldn't display I didn't enjoy.

Over the last few years I've narrowed my focus to 1961-1972, and with a few exceptions I've also stopped collecting publications, proofs, non-U.S. issues and card variations (however dwr11 has a few magazines I'd still love to have and have never seen elsewhere).

If the abundance of vintage Killebrew memorabilia is any indication, Harmon was a very popular and respected player during his career, especially considering he played in "flyover country". As late as 1970, I was convinced he, and not Aaron, would break Ruth's career home run record, but it was not to be. I recall keeping a scrapbook on him that year, rooting him on to what would have been his 7th HR title - but then he unbelievably hit only 1 homer in the Twins' last 30 games and lost to Howard. Broke my young heart!

Harmon then started 1971 with only 4 homers in 42 games. Despite leading the AL in RBI that year, his knees were fast becoming a serious problem, and the last few years of his career were difficult for me to watch.

From 1959-1970, however, he was flat-out amazing, averaging 45 home runs per 162 games while out-homering and out-walking everyone in the majors. For that 12-year stretch he also had nearly 300 more RBI than anyone else in the AL. And despite those numbers, he's probably more famous today for being one of the nicest and kindest athletes ever.

[Moesalty]

I have a Game used Royals hat worn and signed by him... It's a great piece. I also met him several times and he was nothing short of amazing in the way that he would interact with people.

[vintagehofrookies]

Absolutely awesome collection! Thank you for sharing. I met Harmon in Cooperstown a few years ago and he was such a great person. I have been looking forever for a signed 8x10 of Harmon in an A's uniform.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Karl Mattson

And despite those numbers, he's probably more famous today for being one of the nicest and kindest athletes ever.

And that's what's most important in the final analysis.

Harmon had an instructional booklet published in 1970 that featured ads for his line of products (most of Harmon's business ventures ultimately failed, and sadly he suffered great financial problems by the late 1980s):



[IMG][/IMG]







The booklet also featured an introduction by Al Kaline:



Here's a photo of Harmon's batting trainer (which came in a few different versions/boxes):



Not advertised in the booklet was the Snappet. This is a (unique?) promo for the Snappet toy that I bought from the Killebrew estate:

[ooo-ribay]

^^^^^ Interesting that Killebrew, Inc was located where I currently live. Any idea why?

[mcgwirecom]

I am a big ticket collector. Here are a few Killebrew highlights. Opening Day ticket from 1959 his first full season. He hits his first Opening Day homerun, career #12. Also the first Opening Day triple play. Next we have stubs from his 200th and 300th career homeruns. And finally his 500th ! I had to sell that one but still have the others.

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

^^^^^ Interesting that Killebrew, Inc was located where I currently live. Any idea why?

I don't know specifically why, but I believe Harmon's son and daughter attended BYU (and I think his daughter still lives in the SLC area). Harmon was also a practicing Mormon for at least most of his life and spent a lot of time in and around SLC - that might have led to him networking with business people in the area.

Harmon's 1971 biography was also published out of SLC.

Originally Posted by mcgwirecom

I am a big ticket collector. Here are a few Killebrew highlights. Opening Day ticket from 1959 his first full season. He hits his first Opening Day homerun, career #12. Also the first Opening Day triple play. Next we have stubs from his 200th and 300th career homeruns. And finally his 500th ! I had to sell that one but still have the others.

Those Killebrew milestone tickets are WAY cool. Thanks for sharing!

The Idaho Fishing & Hunting Guide was already mentioned upthread, but here's a pic of my copy that includes an interior shot of Harmon and his hunting partner Linda Moulton.

Moulton was the reigning Miss Idaho at the time, and she went on to become a pretty well-known ufologist, conspiracy theorist and cattle mutilation "expert". She's appeared in a number of History Channel and Discovery Channel UFO shows and written books on alien abductions and crop circles.

[batsballsbases]

Nice PM10 stadium pin 1 3/4 size you dont see that often..

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by batsballsbases

Nice PM10 stadium pin 1 3/4 size you dont see that often..

Now that's a thing of beauty!

[doug.goodman]

Scored scorecard from Harmon's 2nd career HR

[doug.goodman]

Scored scorecard from Harmon's 1st career HR

A couple of gas station giveaways (the 1964 booklet uses a Senators photo from at least 5 years earlier; the 1968 booklet's picture has been painted/obscured and reversed, but it's clearly Harmon):

[JCU]

Those are some incredible collections.

1965 Twins coloring book, with Killebrew cover and interior Killebrew page; also a 1970 Twins schedule with Harmon on the front:

[Mark70Z]

Thanks so much for posting all of the cool Killebrew items. I really enjoyed viewing all of the items so far, but I especially like the odd-ball magazines that I've never seen before.

For you guys collecting Killebrew, what is the most difficult item, or is it multiple items? As a single player collector I know you'll never have it all... What are you searching for currently?!?

Keep the items coming; love viewing!

There are still 16 publications from 1961-71 on my want list. I know someone who owns most of them, but they're not leaving his collection any time soon. IMO, here are 6 of the tougher ones:



Killebrew doesn't have the collector following today that a lot of other HOFers have, but he was more popular and respected during the 1960s than some people today realize. I've documented over 50 publications on which Harmon was cover-featured just from his playing days (1955-1975), and I'm sure my list isn't complete. This is a montage I posted on net54 a few years back right after Harmon died:

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Karl Mattson

There are still 16 publications from 1961-71 on my want list. I know someone who owns most of them, but they're not leaving his collection any time soon. IMO, here are 6 of the tougher ones:

Killebrew doesn't have the collector following today that a lot of other HOFers have, but he was more popular and respected during the 1960s than some people today realize. I've documented over 50 publications on which Harmon was cover-featured just from his playing days (1955-1975), and I'm sure my list isn't complete. This is a montage I posted on net54 a few years back right after Harmon died:

Thanks so much for posting the publications; really enjoyed the view. Appreciate you posting the hard to find issues as well. WOW; he's on a lot of covers that's for sure and you're missing 16 issues that you know of during the '61-71 time frame. Do you happen to know if he's on any foreign issues? I collect Brooks and those are some of the hardest to come by w/him pictured. Also, some of the newspaper inserts are rather tough as well.

During the '60's as well as now I've been a Killebrew fan, even though I'm a die hard O's fan. He was just the best of his team, along w/Oliva. He sure was scary when he was at the plate; could change the game in an instant. You sure picked a great HOF to collect and even a better human being.

[dwr11]

Originally Posted by Karl Mattson

There are still 16 publications from 1961-71 on my want list. I know someone who owns most of them, but they're not leaving his collection any time soon. IMO, here are 6 of the tougher ones:



Killebrew doesn't have the collector following today that a lot of other HOFers have, but he was more popular and respected during the 1960s than some people today realize. I've documented over 50 publications on which Harmon was cover-featured just from his playing days (1955-1975), and I'm sure my list isn't complete. This is a montage I posted on net54 a few years back right after Harmon died:

Thanks for sharing. The TV Times and TV Digest are very tough to track down. I have had the Family Weekly and seen the Minnesota Sports magazine on a few occasions.

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Do you happen to know if he's on any foreign issues?

(snip)

During the '60's as well as now I've been a Killebrew fan, even though I'm a die hard O's fan. He was just the best of his team, along w/Oliva. He sure was scary when he was at the plate; could change the game in an instant. You sure picked a great HOF to collect and even a better human being.

I don't know of any foreign publications, but I'm afraid there are still a lot of Killebrew collectibles I've yet to unearth.

While I've always been a Twins fan, my second favorite team during the late '60s and early '70s was the Orioles. Those teams had everything - power, speed, pitching, defense, good management, team leaders. I loved to watch and follow Don Buford (I was 5'9" 150 lbs. in high school and dreamed of being a pro ballplayer, so besides Killebrew my idols were small guys who "played big", like Buford, Cesar Tovar, Joe Morgan and Jimmy Wynn).

I also (casually) collect radio broadcasts of pre-1970 baseball games, and have about a half-dozen in which Killebrew connects. Killebrew had a reputation for hitting "no-doubters", and sure enough virtually all of the home run calls I have on audio basically go like this: "Holy crap! There it goes! It's WAAAAY out of here!" (Well, the announcers don't really say "crap", but they want to). Love it.

Speaking of Baltimore, here's a Baltimore Sun newspaper insert "poster" from 1972 of the Killer:

Some oddball slabbed cards from my collection, most of which are "condition rarities", at least according to PSA (the next highest Killebrew Key Chain and Tatoo cards on the pop report are "2s", the next highest Scratch-Off is an "8", and the '63 Bazooka is the only "10").

The Trade Bloc card comes from a game called "Focus the Twins" that was sold at the old Met in 1965; the Key Chain card was sold with key chains and/or a "lucky rabbit's foot" at dime stores like Woolworth's in 1961.

[JCU]

Nice, Ive got the Bazooka over cut the scratch off and a pop up that are very nice. I cant find my nice rookie card but I have the one he autographed for me. I just gave a Amaco can to a friend that loves the twins. I hope it wasnt worth $1000.00 lol

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Karl Mattson

Some oddball slabbed cards from my collection, most of which are "condition rarities", at least according to PSA (the next highest Killebrew Key Chain and Tatoo cards on the pop report are "2s", the next highest Scratch-Off is an "8", and the '63 Bazooka is the only "10").

The Trade Bloc card comes from a game called "Focus the Twins" that was sold at the old Met in 1965; the Key Chain card was sold with key chains and/or a "lucky rabbit's foot" at dime stores like Woolworth's in 1961.

I've seen most of these issues before, but just not in the condition you have posted. Those are "extremely" nice looking Killebrew items. Thanks for sharing these very cool items.

In the past I have seen a picture of a Brooks Key Chain, but don't have one. I'd really like to pick one up "someday". I really didn't know how they were distributed.

The one card I've never seen before is the Trade Bloc card; such a neat item.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Karl Mattson

I don't know of any foreign publications, but I'm afraid there are still a lot of Killebrew collectibles I've yet to unearth.

While I've always been a Twins fan, my second favorite team during the late '60s and early '70s was the Orioles. Those teams had everything - power, speed, pitching, defense, good management, team leaders. I loved to watch and follow Don Buford (I was 5'9" 150 lbs. in high school and dreamed of being a pro ballplayer, so besides Killebrew my idols were small guys who "played big", like Buford, Cesar Tovar, Joe Morgan and Jimmy Wynn).

I also (casually) collect radio broadcasts of pre-1970 baseball games, and have about a half-dozen in which Killebrew connects. Killebrew had a reputation for hitting "no-doubters", and sure enough virtually all of the home run calls I have on audio basically go like this: "Holy crap! There it goes! It's WAAAAY out of here!" (Well, the announcers don't really say "crap", but they want to). Love it.

Yeah; you gotta love Don Buford! Many never heard of him before, but as an O's fan he was key. Earl called him "the best leadoff man in the game"; I like it! Of course the other guys you mentioned were pretty decent as well, Ha!

Hmm... Never thought to collect radio broadcasts. Sounds like some good listening.

Love the Killebrew newspaper insert!

[quitcrab]

Wow
What a education on Killebrew items ! I also have never seen the trade bloc card. Where did that issue come from ? Was it a board game ?
I have a 1968 topps plak of Killebrew for sale if anyone needs it Thanks. Scott