MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Reaction to the death Tuesday of Twins slugger and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew:

"When I learned the news about Harmon today, I felt like I lost a family member. He has treated me like one of his own. It's hard to put into words what Harmon has meant to me. He first welcomed me into the Twins family as an 18-year-old kid and has continued to influence my life in many ways. He is someone I will never forget and will always treasure the time we spent together. Harmon will be missed but never forgotten."
- Joe Mauer.

"This is a sad day for all of baseball and even harder for those of us who were fortunate enough to be a friend of Harmon's. Harmon Killebrew was a gem. I can never thank him enough for all I learned from him. He was a consummate professional who treated everyone from the brashest of rookies to the groundskeepers to the ushers in the stadium with the utmost of respect. I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for Harmon Killebrew. He was a Hall of Famer in every sense of the word."
- Rod Carew.

"No individual has ever meant more to the Minnesota Twins organization and millions of fans across Twins Territory than Harmon Killebrew. Harmon will long be remembered as one of the most prolific home run hitters in the history of the game and the leader of a group of players who helped lay the foundation for the long-term success of the Twins franchise and Major League Baseball in the Upper Midwest. However, more importantly Harmon's legacy
will be the class, dignity and humility he demonstrated each and every day as a Hall of Fame-quality husband, father, friend, teammate and man. The Twins extend heartfelt sympathies and prayers to the Killebrew family at this difficult time."
- Dave St. Peter, Twins president.

"Harmon Killebrew personified Hall of Fame excellence in every aspect of his dynamic life. He will forever be remembered for his 573 career home runs and as the 1969 American League Most Valuable Player, and as one of the greatest hitters of his era. Since joining the Hall of Fame family in 1984, Harmon was a beacon of light among his fellow Hall of Famers, always smiling, always enjoying every moment that life delivered at his doorstep. We have so many fond memories of this wonderful baseball hero, and we will
miss him enormously."
- Jane Forbes Clark, chairman, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

"Harmon was a Hall of Famer on and off the field. He was baseball's version of Paul Bunyan, with his prodigious home run power, leading by example in the clubhouse and on the field. Off the field, he emanated class, dignity, and warmth, and he was a great humanitarian. He was so down-to-earth, you would never realize he was a baseball legend. It's ironic that his nickname was
"Killer," as he was one of the nicest, most generous individuals to ever walk the earth."
- Jeff Idelson, president, Hall of Fame.

"He was a great player, but he was an even greater man."
- State Rep. Bob Barrett, R-Shafer, recalling how his father once did contracting work at Killebrew's home and "couldn't remember having met a nicer man."

"He went up there to put 'em out."
- Bob Wolf, 64, a Twins fan from Lakeville. Wolf said he had watched Killebrew play baseball since 1961.

“Harmon Killebrew was a legend, for Minnesota and for baseball. When I would go to Twins games at the old Met stadium with my Dad, I was just one of thousands of kids who were there with their families hoping for a homer from Harmon. It was always a thrill to see Harmon swing the bat and slam the ball over the fence and into the stands. He gave us pride in the Twins as well as the sport of baseball. We will cherish his memory.”
- United States Senator from Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

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(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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