Harmon Killebrew: Where Does Minnesota Twins Slugger Rank Among All-Time Greats?

Harmon Killebrew, the longtime sweet-swinging first baseman for the Minnesota Twins, has entered into hospice care after unsuccessful treatment of his esophageal cancer. As part of his decision, the longtime slugger released a statement to Major League Baseball. 

Per Killebrew's statement: 

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"It is with profound sadness that I share with you that my continued battle with esophageal cancer is coming to an end. With the continued love and support of my wife, Nita, I have exhausted all options with respect to controlling this awful disease. My illness has progressed beyond my doctors' expectation of cure.

I am comforted by the fact that I am surrounded by my family and friends. I thank you for the outpouring of concern, prayers and encouragement that you have shown me. I look forward to spending my final days in comfort and peace with Nita by my side."

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Killebrew was diagnosed with the disease late last year, and from the sound of things, his fight is coming to an end. 

The former Twin remains one of the greatest power hitters baseball has ever seen, belting 573 home runs and driving in 1,584 runs over the course of his 22-year career. He was a career .256 hitter, but remained one of the most feared sluggers in the game. At the time of his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time in home runs hit and currently sits 11th overall in the category. 

Killebrew's swing was widely seen as one of the prettiest baseball has ever seen, with its smooth, powerful stroke. In fact, the Twins slugger was so iconic that when baseball created its overarching logo, it was (and is still speculated) that Harmon standing in on a fastball served as the basis for the design. While there has never been any confirmation of that as fact, it serves to prove how much of an icon he was. The fact is the story seems completely plausible. 

Harmon has long been mentioned in the same breath as players like Ralph Kiner, while his career arc is surprisingly similar to that of current Twins designated hitter (and all-around class act) Jim Thome.

But, it was never just about the statistics with Killebrew. As impressive as his numbers were, it was his personality that made him a perfect fit in the Twins' franchise and one of the most beloved sluggers of all time. 

Harmon remains one of the class acts of the sport to this day. He played the game with class and dignity and was one of the nicest stars in the history of the game. His manner endeared him to Twins fans, Minnesotans as a whole and the baseball world in general. He is an icon in Minnesota and remains one of the team's first stars. 

In recent years, Killebrew has been working to promote hospice care and its benefits. He remains one of the great ambassadors of the game, and an all around class act. 

Losing Killebrew will be a tremendous blow to the baseball world. He always conducted himself with grace and dignity and seems to be at peace with himself as he heads into the final chapter of his life. 

In the end, Harmon Killebrew is one of baseball's greatest hitters on the field and one of its classiest acts off of it. The world will be a little darker when he leaves it, and he will be missed.