Up
on the blog today, my pick for the American League first baseman of the
1960s, Minnesota Twins legend Harmon Killebrew, powerhouse slugger who
would homer his way to the Hall of Fame:
First off, I will state right now that I do realize that he didn't play solely first base throughout the decade of the
1960's.
Killebrew also had periods where he played in the outfield and
third base regularly. But I felt that of the guys who DID play solely
first base in 1960's, Killebrew STILL had a better run during his stint
at first base.
What a monster he was during the '60's!
In the 10-years from 1960
and 1969, he posted eight seasons of 30+ home runs, with SIX of those
years over 40!
He capped off the decade with an M.V.P. in 1969, with another four seasons where he finished in the top-5 in voting.
All told, he was an all-star eight out of ten years in the 1960's,
and led the American League in homers five times, runs batted in twice,
and walks three times.
Playing for Washington, Minnesota and a final season in Kansas City
between 1954 and 1975, Killebrew mashed 573 home runs to go along with
1584 R.B.I.'s, winning an M.V.P. award along the way in 1969 while
finishing in the top five in voting five other seasons.
In 1984 he was inducted in the Hall of Fame, capping off a stellar career that sometimes gets lost among the Mantles, Mays, Clementes and Aarons that were garnering all the attention in the same era.
In 1984 he was inducted in the Hall of Fame, capping off a stellar career that sometimes gets lost among the Mantles, Mays, Clementes and Aarons that were garnering all the attention in the same era.
