Harmon Killebrew Marquee Hall of Fame 1984

Nothing in his first five seasons pointed to any of it. A bonus contract obliged Washington to carry him on the major-league roster instead of sending him down, and from 1954 through 1958 he played 113 games and hit 11 home runs. He was seventeen at his debut on June 23, 1954, six days short of eighteen.

He hit 42 home runs in 1959, then led the American League in home runs six times, in runs batted in three times and in walks four times. He reached 40 home runs in eight different seasons. The 1969 season brought him the Most Valuable Player award, with 49 home runs, 140 runs batted in and 145 walks.

He moved with the franchise from Washington to Minnesota in 1961, played first base, third base, left field and finally designated hitter, and was on the Minnesota team that won the 1965 pennant. His 573 home runs stood fifth on the all-time list when he retired after a last season in Kansas City. The Hall of Fame elected him in 1984.