NEW YORK (Reuters) – Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, the brawny slugger who remains near the top of the career home runs list, said Friday he is ending his battle with esophageal cancer and will live out the final days of his life in hospice care.
The 11-times All-Star, whose 573 career home runs are the 11th most in Major League Baseball, said he looks forward to spending his finals days in comfort alongside his wife.
“It is with profound sadness that I share with you that my continued battle with esophageal cancer is coming to an end,” Killebrew, 74, said in a statement released by the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“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.”
Killebrew started his career with the Washington Senators in 1954 and relocated with the franchise to Minnesota in 1961 where they became the Twins. He played one year with the Kansas City Royals in 1975 before retiring.
Killebrew was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 1969 after a season where he recorded a career-best 140 RBIs, 49 home runs
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