Rod Carew's speech ~ Harmon Killebrew Memorial (May 26, 2011)

[@stever1791]

I wish these 2 guys would have won a world series.

[@newerafrican]

Wow. What a tribute. You go through life trying to do the right things. Trying to help people, being generous, being kind hoping that they, in turn, will pass it on. What a great example these two men set for the rest of us.

[@Fabioman3]

I'm a Dodger fan, and I'll say that was a real class Twin team with Killebrew and Carew!

[@BRuane-pw6xq]

I grew up in NJ but became a big Twins and Harmon fan. Still a Twins fan. Glad I picked a man of such character for my baseball hero ! RIP Harmon !

[@postatility9703]

Two great examples of what's great about baseball,and all of sports in general.Harmon Killebrew was a man of quiet dignity and class,and obviously a great role model for Rod Carew and many others.

[@brabham74]

My dad took me to see the Tigers play at Tiger Stadium, in 1968. Detroit was playing against the Twins. When Harmon Killebrew & Rod Carew came to bat, my 10 year old breath was taken away. I was in awe of them. I remember it, as if it happened yesterday, but it was 50 years ago. That was such a wonderful tribute, from Carew to Killebrew.

[@timallen609]

Those were the days my friend . Knot hole games , twi light double headers and the TCF money tree......my dad and grandfather took me to my first game in 68 if memory serves . Fond memories that live on as my 1 yr old ( birthday yesterday ) grandson and 3 yr old grandson have been to atleast 10 games so far with this crazy grandpa as the tradition lives on

[@paulgentile1024]

Talk about a great team

[@maximushuber207]

Wow. Carew's speech was amazing.

[@lloydclaussen3925]

Harmon was a super star and a true classy gentleman like many great players used to be.

[@vikingshipper]

If anyone ever asks me what my definition of a role model is, Harmon Killebrew is my answer, hands down. The HOF speech he gave will forever be etched in my memory. R.I.P. Killer.

[@jdg62269]

Mr. Carew, you're my favorite player of all time. When you left the Twins in 1979, it felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. I had that same feeling the other night when I read a newstory that your heart is giving you some problems. I'm praying heavy that a donor can be found soon. I'd like to meet you someday soon, Lord willing. I've been to a few National sportscard conventions, but either attended on a day you weren't there, or you had to cancel for personal reasons. I hope The Lord will give you many more years and if you read this, I'd be delighted and honored to hear from you with a message here on youtube. God Bless you!

[@dzanier]

+Rock Legend Films His leaving the Twins was sad. I can't blame him for wanting to leave. Calvin Griffith had treated him shabbily and truly showed a lack of appreciation for what Rod had done as a player and for the organization. Rod was a great player who could pretty much do it all. I also hope he has many years left. The dedication he showed to his craft was exemplary, and this speech was as poignant as Rod is classy.

[@jdg62269]

I agree. Griffith didn't offer him the money he deserved. I believe his Race played a factor, even though Griffith would have denied it. Most Owners and GMs have always been pathetic, only think about themselves and their best interests. I am very thankful to have witnessed Rod's season in 1977 as an 8 year old, his .388 average, and then in 1980 at the age of 11, watching George Brett hit .390. Those years were so special.

[@dzanier]

+Rock Legend Films I don't believe race played a factor for the simple fact that no Twin star under Griffith was ever well paid compared to what they should have been making. I do think that the black players like Bostock and Carew felt Calvin had a bit of a racist side. It wasn't overt, but he said some things that could have been interpreted as racist. In truth, Calvin was a bad owner and kind of a buffoon.

[@jdg62269]

ok. that's not what I read about 15 or 20 years ago though. Why did he pay big money for Frank Viola and Kent Hrbek (later) around 1987, but couldn't have paid that in 1979 to Carew.

[@paulsonj72]

Calvin didn't own the team in 1987. He sold the team to Carl Pohlad(and the Pohlad family) in 1984.

[@koshaugh2001]

Rod Carew - what a class act!

[@sauquoit13456]

On this day in 1971 {August 10th} Harmon Killebrew became the 10th major league player to hit 500 career home runs... Hammerin' Harmon finished his career with 573 homers and was A.L. MVP in 1969 when he led the league with 49 homers and 140 RBIs... He passed away on May 17th, 2011 at the age of 74... R.I.P. Mr. Killebrew...

[@gofanman8455]

Harmon and Conrad Reuland are both in heaven and they're looking down on you Carew. Bless you brother

[@mifan67karaokeandsingalong15]

One of the Best Ball Players of All Time and A Killer Batting Stance!!!

[@sylviebertran8201]

Rod Carew is a wonderful man

[@stever1791]

that stadium should not be empty. Shame on the people from Minneapolis - you all should have attended this tribute

[@willyork7297]

Carew and Killebrew were both great baseball players. And now my grandpa will get a chance to be with the killer in heaven.

[@KB-eo9bu]

ROD CAREW IS A GREAT MAN AND FATHER AND A CLASS ACT! A FEW YEARS AFTER HARMON TOOK ROD UNDER HIS WING ROD WOULD ALSO TAKE A YOUNG ROOKIE UNDER HIS! THAT ROOKIE WAS BUTCH WYNEGAR A TWENTY YEAR OLD CATCHER WHO THAT YEAR WOULD MAKE THE ALL STAR TEAM AND AT THAT TIME BE WON OF THE YOUNGEST TO START FOR MINNESOTA! THANKS ROD!

[@tomitstube]

wow, wasn't expecting that, both these men a class act. tony oliva and jim kaat should be in there too.

[@cfapps7865]

#3 RIP Killer, a year ago today we lost a great one.

[@steviebrockstar]

I watched the twins with my grandpa fir years... i love the twins. Grandpa died in 1987, just before the world series win... this ones for u grandpa..

[@erikk.5202]

Yes, all class. Very touching.

[@deanouellette1868]

I had the opportunity to watch the Twins play at Fenway in '69. Then 8 years old and a die-hard Red Sox fan, I only knew two Twins players: Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew.

[@libraryquiet]

What a beautiful tribute. I remember a game in 1969, the Twins against the Athletics. The Killer hit two homeruns, two doubles, drove in seven runs...., he was a one man offensive machine! In the post game interview he said he just got lucky that day. What a guy! We all miss you. May you rest in peace.

[@Armyofficer]

Mr. Carew gave a moving tribute. He, like Harmon Killebrew, has lived a good life off the field as we as on it. Not too late to change, Pete Rose.

[@mickeyjudge7298]

The very first game I ever saw was Yanks vs Twins, July 1967. Harmon Killebrew hit a solo shot into the left field stands, bottom of the first, off Al Downing. Stayed 1-0 until 2 outs, bottom of the 9th, when Mickey Mantle tied it up with a shot to the left field bleachers off Jim Kaat. I am so glad I got to know a little bit of Harmon's personality through KZbin videos, because as an avid Yankee fan he destroyed us. And really, the rest of the American League. He was a real slugger, always at or near the top of the league in homers, and many were tape- measure jobs. He was a gifted athlete, and obviously an even better human being. The strong, silent type. Reminds me a lot of my Dad, who took me to that first game, and encouraged my lifelong love of baseball after that game. BTW, the heavens opened with rain and the game was called before extra innings could start.

[@jacobanus5927]

I just visited his grave yesterday.... he is buried next to his dad.... that raising children not grass is on his tombstone

[@timallen609]

Killer! Man the times at the old Met watching this man was a time I will never forget . From the TCF money tree to the odd huge parking lot in the middle of nothing . You have to love the old Met!

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

RIP Harmon - These are men I want my children to look up to.

[@catherinekelly532]

Requiescat in Pace Dear Harmon....Saw you on your Day of deserving Tribute 1974. Abundant Blessings, Fr. Arturo Catholic priest

[@fromtherubble6890]

Fantastic tribute from Rod Carew... It only lacked one thing... An explanation for why he called Harmon, "Charlie".

[@SteveTheVirgin38]

I MET HIM IN 1995 AND HE WAS SO NICE TO ME

[@afriend347]

Killer, The Brew, Brew, I miss you man. Took too long to get to #500. I was convinced you'd break Babe's record. I'll bet your home runs fly far further in heaven. I use to play imagery games with a wiffel ball bat and ball at the apex of our driveway and go through the Twins lineup. The side walk was the 3rd base line and the driveway was the 1st baseline. If I hit it over the rooftop, it was a home run. I tried to make sure the Killer, never missed.

[@h2ofield]

...tears.

[@toyman81]

At 4:15, He says he was looking for Frank Howard of the Senators. Frank was always my hero next to my Dad.

[@averagegalaxygamer4430]

Harmon hill forever be the face of the Minnesota Twins

[@polytide51]

I can't imagine one of today's ballplayers being so eloquent - maybe I'm just getting hold

[@Armyofficer]

But please, do continue - Mr. Rose has done such a wonderful job with his life since getting kicked out of baseball, and he doesn't need the HOF or MLB. Right...

[@Armyofficer]

Hey, you're right. Pete's my favorite all-time player, but he's also someone who, at 72 as of April 14th, has allowed his own shortcomings to deprive him of the game he loves so much.

[@Rednation-cz2su]

helll yeahhhhh out here reppin the good ole IDAHO!!!

[@JoltinDjango]

HK, with 573 HRs, waited four years to get in the HOF?! Per that, I guess we can expect Craig Biggio, and his 3,060 hits, to be enshrined in 2016, right?!

[@tomsmith2297]

A Yankee or Dodger would have been carried into Hall by the writers with those numbers.

[@todd4317]

Shoulda been first ballot. I believe when he retired, Killebrew had hit more career home runs than any right handed hitter in American League history.

[@dietpepsivanilla3095]

Twins were a great team in the late 60s-early 70s with Killer, Carew, Tony Oliva, Cesar Tovar, Jim Kaat, Jim Perry and Dave Boswell.

[@boxcarent.3147]

Real 500 home runs not a steriod juicer like these bums.

[@wadeboyful]

Nice 👍

[@Nagy50Magyar]

"The killer did it again."

[@myjahleesa]

Why did it take four years?

[@toyman81]

who are the 2 gentlemen behind the flowers.

[@bobaustinryan]

agreed polytide, and yeah, we're getting old.

[@Armyofficer]

You're right - the HOF can be a joke, but it's a joke that Pete Rose has wanted to be a part of, as well as a part of MLB. He gambled that away, and he continues to mess up his own chances.

[@mdarrenu]

Killibrew would have hit 2,000 HRs in the steroid era. Dude was a monster.

[@aliciacheney8734]

Ok

[@Armyofficer]

Acting like the world's oldest teenager, as of the last few years, hasn't helped. Pete Rose is the one on the outside looking in - sanctimonious baloney? Sure, and I guess Stan Musial was, too.

[@sylviebertran8201]

Rod Carew is a wonderful man

[@sylviebertran8201]

Rod Carew is a wonderful man