Harmon Killebrew Drinking Game: A Home Run for Baseball Fans

If you love baseball and a good drink, the Harmon Killebrew Drinking Game might be the perfect way to combine both passions. Named after one of the greatest sluggers in MLB history, this game brings together baseball nostalgia, friendly competition, and a few well-timed drinks.

Grab a cold beer (perfectly if you have toot beers), settle in, and get ready to pay tribute to a Hall of Famer in the most entertaining way possible.

Who Was Harmon Killebrew?

Before diving into the game, let’s take a quick look at the man behind it. Harmon Killebrew was one of the most feared power hitters of his era, blasting 573 home runs over a 22-season career, primarily with the Minnesota Twins. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984, he was known not only for his hitting power but also for his sportsmanship and humility.

Killebrew’s swing was a thing of beauty—effortless, yet devastating. He didn’t just hit home runs; he crushed them. His legendary status in baseball makes him the perfect inspiration for a drinking game built around the sport’s most thrilling moments.

What Is the Harmon Killebrew Drinking Game?

The Harmon Killebrew Drinking Game is a fun, name-based drinking game inspired by legendary baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. The game challenges players to think quickly while drinking, making it an entertaining and sometimes chaotic way to enjoy a few rounds with friends. The goal? Keep the name chain going until someone brings it full circle back to Harmon Killebrew—at which point, the unlucky (or lucky) player must finish their drink.

How to Play the Harmon Killebrew Drinking Game

This game is popular among college students—not only because the Harmon Killebrew drinking game requires no preparation, but also because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love sports in college? Simply put, all you need to play is a basic knowledge of celebrity names. It’s fast-paced, fun, and hilarious, much like the party game – Kiss, Marry, Kill.

Harmon Killebrew Game Rules

1. Get Set Up

• Gather a group of friends and some drinks.
• Sit in a circle, preferably around a table.
• Beer is recommended to avoid too much trouble later.

2. Start the Game

• The first player kicks things off by saying, “Harmon Killebrew.”
• The next player (going clockwise) must say a celebrity or famous person’s name that starts with the letter K (since Killebrew starts with K).

3. Keep the Chain Going

• The next player continues the pattern by using the last letter of the previous person’s last name to start a new first name.
• Example: If Player 2 says Kevin Bacon, Player 3 must name someone whose first name starts with B (like Barbie or Brendan Fraser).

4. Special Rules

• One-word names (like Madonna) or names where both first and last names start with the same letter (like Burt Bacharach) cause the direction of play to reverse.
• Players must “drink while they think”—taking small sips while coming up with their answer.

5. End the Round

• The game continues until someone says “Harmon Killebrew” again.
• The next player in turn must finish their drink before the game resets for another round.

Example Game – All Baseball Players

You can use any famous celebrity name for the drinking game, but since Harmon Killebrew is a legendary baseball player, I’ll show you an example using only baseball players’ names.

• Andy: “Harmon Killebrew”
• Billy: “Kris Bryant”
• Carol: “Barry Bonds” (Direction Reverses! Back to Billy.)
• Billy: “Bob Feller”
• Andy: “Frank Thomas”
• Fanny: “Tony Gwynn”
• Eric: “Gary Sheffield”
• Daniel: “Stan Musial”
• Carol: “Mike Hargrove”
• Billy “Harmon Killebrew” (Player A finishes his drink!)

This game is designed for baseball lovers who want to add a little extra excitement to watching a game. The rules are simple: take a drink based on certain events that happen during a baseball game, with a special focus on the kind of plays Killebrew was known for.

Harmon Killebrew Baseball Drinking Game

You can play this game while watching a live MLB game, an old replay featuring Killebrew, or even with a baseball video game. The goal is to have fun, enjoy the sport, and celebrate the legacy of one of the greatest hitters in baseball history.

Take a drink whenever:

• A player hits a home run (bonus if it’s a number 3 or 573 in honor of Killebrew’s jersey and career home runs)
• A batter strikes out looking (since Killebrew had one of the best eyes for the strike zone)
• The announcer references baseball history or past players
• A Twins player gets a hit (if watching a Minnesota game)
• A pitcher throws a complete inning without giving up a hit

Take two drinks if:

• A grand slam is hit
• The game goes into extra innings
• Someone in the room correctly predicts the next batter’s outcome

Bonus Games: 

1. Killebrew Power Hour: If someone in the game hits two home runs in a single game, all players must finish their drinks in honor of the legend’s multi-homer performances.

2. Baseball Beer Pong: A wild mashup of beer pong, flip cup, and baseball that turns any party into the big leagues! Players round the bases by sinking cups, while epic drinks and legendary rules honor baseball’s greatest moments. Step up to the plate, take your shot, and swing for the fences—both on the table and in your cup!

Wild Variations for Harmon Killebrew Drinking Game

While the classic version of the Harmon Killebrew Drinking Game is great for a standard baseball night, sometimes you need to kick it up a notch. These variations add extra chaos, competition, and a touch of baseball absurdity to the mix.

1. The 573 Club Challenge

Named after Killebrew’s legendary 573 home runs, this version tests your endurance. Each player starts with 5 sips worth of their drink. Every time a home run is hit in the game, add another sip to your total. Keep drinking your tally throughout the night. The first person to reach exactly 73 sips (no more, no less) wins and gets to assign a punishment drink to another player.

Bonus Rule: If a player miscounts their sips, they must take a penalty shot and start back at 5.

2. The Killebrew “K” Punishment

Killebrew may have been a home run machine, but he also struck out over 1,600 times in his career. Every time a player in the game strikes out swinging, the last person in the group to yell “Killebrew!” has to take a drink.

If the batter strikes out looking (just standing there like a deer in headlights), everyone must take a drink because Killebrew never let a good pitch go by.

Bonus Rule: If someone forgets the rules and asks, “Why are we yelling Killebrew?” they automatically take two drinks.

3. The Minnesota Nice Rule

Killebrew was known for being one of the classiest guys in baseball history. But let’s be real—baseball can get heated. Every time a player, manager, or announcer says something aggressive (like arguing with the umpire or complaining about a call), the entire group must take a drink while saying something polite in their best Minnesota accent.

If an actual bench-clearing fight happens in the game, you have to chug your drink and immediately shake hands with someone next to you to “keep it classy.”

4. The Harmon Hammer Slam

Killebrew’s nickname was “The Hammer” because of how hard he hit the ball. In this version, anytime a batter absolutely crushes a home run (determined by an agreed-upon reaction from the group), everyone has to slam their drink on the table before drinking.

If the home run leaves the park (literally out of the stadium), you must take a celebratory shot and scream, “HAMMERED LIKE HARMON!”

5. The Ghost of Harmon Killebrew

For this spooky, legendary twist, before the game starts, you must set up an empty drink in the middle of the table and name it The Ghost of Harmon Killebrew.

• If an announcer mentions Killebrew during the game, you must all raise your drinks in his honor.
• If someone accidentally knocks over the ghost drink, they must chug their own drink as “punishment from baseball heaven.”
• If a home run is hit that would have impressed Killebrew (estimated at 450+ feet), the group votes on whether to pour a sip of their drink into the ghost cup. At the end of the game, the most “spirited” person must drink it.

6. The Harmon Hustle

Killebrew wasn’t just about power—he hustled on every play. In this variation, everyone must predict whether the next batter will hustle to first base or jog casually.

• If you guess wrong, you take a drink.
• If the player sprints hard to first, everyone must cheer and take a sip in appreciation of baseball done right.
• If a batter hits a pop-up and doesn’t even run to first, everyone boos loudly and takes a penalty shot for the disrespect to the game.

7. The Mustache Rule

Back in Killebrew’s day, baseball players were tough guys with glorious facial hair. Every time a mustachioed player appears on screen, the last person to notice takes a drink.

Bonus: If someone in the group is actually sporting a Killebrew-style mustache (or a drawn-on one), they can make someone else drink once per inning.

Extra Bonus: If the game features a truly legendary mustache, like Rollie Fingers or Goose Gossage in a replay, everyone must salute the TV before taking a drink.

8. The Ultimate Harmon Challenge

This version is not for the faint of heart. It combines multiple game elements for the ultimate baseball drinking gauntlet.

• Any time a home run is hit, you must call it before the ball lands. If you get it wrong, take a drink.
• If a batter breaks their bat, everyone must hold up their drink like a broken bat and drink until the replay ends.
• If a pitcher intentionally walks a batter, everyone must take a long, slow drink in protest of anti-baseball behavior.
• If a game goes into extra innings, every player must take a shot before continuing.

First player to throw in the towel must sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” solo as punishment.

Tips for A Perfect Baseball Drinking Game Night

If you’re gonna do this, do it right. Watching baseball while playing a drinking game isn’t just about the drinks—it’s about the experience.

The Baseball Party Setup

• Multiple TVs – One for the game, one for highlight reels of Harmon Killebrew destroying baseballs.
• Scoreboard for the Drinking Game – Keep track of who’s had the most penalty drinks (because stats matter).
• Baseball Decor – Vintage Twins banners, baseball cards on display, and at least one bobblehead staring at you in judgment.

What to Wear?

• Killebrew Jersey – Extra respect if it’s a throwback powder blue.
• Old-School Baseball Caps – Preferably worn backward after a few drinks for full effect.
• Stirrups? If you really commit, you’re the MVP of the night.

What to Drink?

• Killebrew Root Beer & Whiskey – A tribute to the legend himself (yes, he started a root beer brand).
• Cold Domestic Beer – Because baseball and fancy cocktails don’t mix.
• Whiskey Shots for Home Runs – Because Killebrew never hit a cheap one.

The Hangover Lineup: How to Recover After a Night of Killebrew-ing

You went deep last night. Now, it’s time to rally.

Best Post-Drinking Baseball Recovery Foods

• Ballpark Breakfast Sandwich – Eggs, bacon, and enough carbs to soak up last night’s scoreboard of shame.
• Soft Pretzel & Gatorade – Because you need salt and electrolytes like a struggling bullpen needs a mound visit.
• Hot Dog & Coffee Combo – Sounds insane, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

The Morning-After Stat Check

Just like checking the box score, you review last night’s drink tally.

• Who had the most?
• Who got “walked” (passed out early)?
• Who still thinks they can hit a Killebrew-level home run in the backyard?

Surviving a Game Day After a Drinking Marathon

If you’ve got tickets to a game the next day, hydrate like you’re running the bases. Wear sunglasses, drink a light beer by the third inning, and try not to fall asleep before the seventh-inning stretch.

Because baseball, much like drinking, is a grind—but if Killebrew could crush 500-foot home runs, you can survive a hangover.