Killebrew Day in Payette
Baseball has not changed much
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Sunday, April 19, 2009 12:56 AM PDT
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| Scott Ford | Argus Observer
Harmon Killebrew (left) hands Dave Greif, of Payette, and his wife Virgina, a signed baseball during the pregame festivities at Harmon Killebrew Field. Killebrew also held an autograph session and photo session with area fans. |
Payette-Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew loves the game of baseball and he loves to watch a good game.
“Boy to see the Pirates come back from being down 8-0 was absolutely great,” Killebrew said following the Pirates 9-8 come-from-behind victory over the New Plymouth Pilgrims Saturday at Harmon Killebrew Field in Payette.
Coming home for Payette is not really like coming home, because he still feels this is his home.
“It is fun, our roots are still here and we like to still be apart of the community,” Killebrew said.
After being around the game all of his life, Killebrew said baseball is the same silly game he used to play when he was a kid.
“You still have to catch the ball , run, throw, hit and pitch. It is the same game,” he said. “Back when I played, pitchers finished more games than they do today. Relief pitching has really become big in today’s game.”
Killebrew said he talked with Gaylord Perry about the pitching and he asked him how many complete games he pitched in his day and Perry told him 303.
“You just do not see that anymore. In those days pitcher completed more games,” Killebrew said.
Other things Killebrew said he has noticed about the game of baseball in today’s play are stealing bases.
“Back when I played we did not steal as many bases as the teams are doing today, because if you were up by four or five runs you didn't want to rub it in, or if you were down by a few you didn't want to lose a base runner,” Killebrew said. “Either way, I am not saying its right or wrong but teams are running more in today’s game. You never know how many runs you will need to win a game and that was the case today for Payette against New Plymouth being down 8-0.”
Killebrew added the steroid era will not go away for a long time.
“It is a lot more reaching than what we thought,” Killebrew said. “And I do not know if they know what to do to fix it.”
