Harmon Killebrew: A Hall-of-Fame Person Deserving His Own Stamp
By Ken Reed
I recently received a call from a writer who was doing a piece on Harmon Killebrew. He had read an old column I had written about Killebrew and wanted to know if I would like to comment about Killebrew the person.
Here is some of what I told him:
“Harmon Killebrew was a Hall of Fame baseball player and an even better man. He followed the Golden Rule and treated everyone with respect, no matter their position in life. He had a spiritual aura about him and seemed to intuitively know that we are all in this world together. As such, he had time for everyone.
“Killebrew’s autograph tells another story about his character. Unlike many professional athletes who simply scribble a few letters when asked for an autograph, Killebrew made a concerted effort to make his signature legible for everyone who asked for it. Moreover, he also strongly encouraged every young player in the Twins system to follow suit and start signing autographs legibly for the fans that supported them and made their professional lives possible. Former Twins players like Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau have spoken eloquently on many occasions about what a great mentor Killebrew was for them — on and off the field.
“I’m going to carry Harmon Killebrew’s last Topps baseball card with me in my wallet. I don’t need it to remind me about Killebrew’s 573 career home runs. But I do need it to periodically remind me to try and carry myself as Killebrew did.”
There is a movement afloat to honor Killebrew and what he stood for — on and off the field — with a commemorative stamp. I can’t think of a sports figure who would be more deserving. Killebrew led an exemplary life. As Ralph Nader wrote, “A Killebrew stamp will allow a new generation of Americans to get to know the athlete and man, and the values and principles he embraced during his admirable life.”
If you support a Killebrew stamp, send your thoughts and feelings to:
Ms. Mary-Anne Penner
Acting Executive Director
Stamps Services
United States Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20260-3501
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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"How We Can Save Sports" author Ken Reed appears on Fox & Friends to explain how there's "too much adult in youth sports."
Ken Reed appears on Mornings with Gail from KFKA Radio in Colorado to discuss bad parenting in youth athletics.
“Should College Athletes Be Paid?” Ken Reed on The Morning Show from Wisconsin Public Radio
Ken Reed appears on KGNU Community Radio in Colorado (at 02:30) to discuss equality in sports and Title IX.
Ken Reed appears on the Ralph Nader Radio Hour (at 38:35) to discuss his book The Sports Reformers: Working to Make the World of Sports a Better Place, and to talk about some current sports issues.
- League of Fans Sports Policy Director Ken Reed quoted in Washington Post column titled "What happened to P.E.? It’s losing ground in our push for academic improvement," by Jay Mathews
League of Fans is a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader to fight for the higher principles of justice, fair play, equal opportunity and civil rights in sports; and to encourage safety and civic responsibility in sports industry and culture.
Vanderbilt Sport & Society - On The Ball with Andrew Maraniss with guest Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director for League of Fans and author of How We Can Save Sports: A Game Plan
Sports & Torts – Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans – at the American Museum of Tort Law
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