The Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins honored Hall of Fame slugger Harmon Killebrew, who announced that he is ending treatment for esphogeal cancer and entering a hospice.
The Nats placed his jersey in the dugout in Washington and the Twins did the same in Minneapolis over the weekend.
.Killebrew, 74, played two full seasons for the Washington Senators before they moved to Minnesota after the 1960 season. He promoted the return of baseball to Washington and has been involved with the minor-league Loudoun Hounds
He released a statement about his condition through the Twins last week:
“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. I have spent the past decade of my life promoting hospice care and educating people on its benefits. I am very comfortable taking this next step and experiencing the compassionate care that hospice provides.
“I am comforted by the fact that I am surrounded by my family and friends. I thank you for the outpouring of concern, prayers and encouragement that you have shown me. I look forward to spending my final days in comfort and peace with Nita by my side.”
