There was word earlier this week that Harmon Killebrew — who has been battling esophageal cancer — was going to throw the first pitch out at the Twins’ home opener on Friday. Now it seems that he won’t make it due because he doesn’t want to interrupt his treatment schedule. Tony Oliva will do the honors in his place, with Killebrew’s grandson catching.
Apologies if I sound like an emotional spaz about this, but this kind of makes me worry. I’m guessing the treatment schedule has been in place a while, including when he first agreed to throw the pitch. He says that his treatment is going well and he hopes to make a full recovery. I hope that’s true and this doesn’t mean that his health won’t permit him to travel to Minnesota.
Sorry. I just have an irrational love of Harmon Killebrew, built mostly on the power of baseball cards I had when I was a kid and stories I’ve heard people who have had the privilege to know him well have told me. I’m going to be a bit more wobbly with him than I might be with other ex-ballplayers.
Get well soon, Harmon.
