36 years later, I finally have my favorite collectable
mnkevin
Posts: 22 ✭✭
After my childhood hero retired, Harmon Killebrew had health problems, the most serious at the time happened in 1990. He had a couple surgeries and spent some time in the hospital. On a whim I sent him a get well card telling him I used to emulate his batting style and wished him well. Not knowing where to send the card, I just sent it to the Twins office, hoping they would forward it.
Months passed and I forgot about the get well card. One day, I got home from work and my wife said a letter came for me in the mail. When I saw the letterhead, I got so nervous opening it. When I saw Harmon's letter and signed card, I knew I had to get them framed. With a growing family, I couldn't afford to frame it, so I tucked it away for "safekeeping". A couple house moves later, and life in general, I came across it this spring. I figured if I didn't frame it now, I probably never would.
I was recommended a framing shop in Hayward WI (about 2 hours away) and got it back this last weekend. When I looked at it, I got goosebumps and the nervousness returned, just like when I opened the letter for the first time.
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it
For some reason , I can't get the signed card file to load....
Comments
Wish I would have had a chance to meet him, and always heard he was more the nicest people in the hobby. Thank you for sharing.
That is a simply outstanding item!
In so many ways this is what it is all about. An incredible connection to childhood and a sports hero. It's also a bit poignant that Mr. Killebrew not only took the time to respond but that he shared that it wasn't often that people reached out to offer him support rather than asking for something. Thanks so much for sharing. It's beautiful in every sense.
Really cool. He was always great at Twins Fest. Took his time with everyone. Thanks for sharing that.
Fantastic! Congratulations - this is really awesome.
Outstanding.
This just might be the post of the year; thanx for sharing buddy. 👍
Love this, very cool.
A special piece and beautifully framed. Nice choices on the mat colors and simple, but classy, black frame.
Thank you for sharing mnkevin. I love the way people used to write. Dear Kevin, etc.
Successful card BST transactions with cbcnow, brogurt, gstarling, Bravesfan 007, and rajah 424.
That’s amazing. Good for you that you did it and got such an amazing response from a hero. I hope you put this someplace where you get to see it often. Thanks for sharing.
John
That is simply awesome! May you enjoy it for another 36 years.
Kevin, great story of your hero. Sounds like you made his day with your get-well letter.
collecting O-Pee-Chee (OPC) baseball cards
full-time poster on the Trading Cards forum, part-time lurker on the U.S. Coin Forum
priceless
I’ll always remember when he came and signed at a local show circa 1988. ( I would have been 11 or so.) During the show he bought several of his cards from a dealer. (I remember he pulled out a large wad of cash.) This, of course, attracted a bit of a crowd. I was standing nearby and he patted my shoulder before he left. We got two signed baseballs that day and I still have them.