Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, 'You're tearing up the grass'; 'We're not raising grass,' Dad would reply. 'We're raising boys.'

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

Life is precious and time is a key element. Let's make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

Pitchers are smart. They know they are much better off if they mix things up and keep you off-balance.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

No matter what, I've always been an optimistic person.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

Joe Mauer's the real deal. He is absolutely wonderful. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great human being. He's the kind of guy you'd like to see... be your son.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I'm not a quitter. All my career, I went through a lot of physical adversity, injuries. It's in my nature to be a battler.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I do everything in a straightforward manner.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I like happy endings.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I didn't think much about batting average when I was playing.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I speak very highly of Jim Thome. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great individual.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I didn't have evil intentions, but I guess I did have power.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I found out early in life that I could hit a baseball farther than most players, and that's what I tried to do.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

When I was 14, and for the next four years, I was lifting and hauling 10-gallon milk cans full of milk. That will put muscles on you even if you're not trying.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I was set to go to Oregon to play college baseball and football.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I always tried to watch the pitcher and his complete windup from the moment he had the ball in his glove all the way through his motion, and tried to follow it all the way out of his hand, all the way to home plate.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

It takes a lot of dedication to quit smoking, and whether you give up for good on your first try or have to give it a couple of tries - just keep swinging at it and you will succeed.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

I want to say that maybe I've made some wrong decisions, but I'm still an honorable person, and I intend to take care of all of my obligations.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

In baseball, you pack your uniform in the clubhouse after a ball game, and you see it hanging up in your locker when you get to your next city.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

There was a time when rival teams used a shift against me. They would put the second baseman on the shortstop's side of the bag, move the shortstop into the hole to his right, and have the third baseman hug the foul line. The idea was to build an infield wall against a known right-handed pull hitter.

Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew

It must be nice for today's hitters when you don't have to worry about being thrown at. It's a whole different deal. When I played, getting knocked down was an accepted part of the game.