Kirby Puckett: A shortened career... and a tragically shortened life.
Kirby Puckett died tonight, after suffering a stroke suddenly yesterday. He was 45 years old. Puckett was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1982 amateur draft. He played his entire career in Minnesota, showing the kind of loyalty that the great ones do, and was rewarded by becoming a two-time World Champion with the Twins. Puckett was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. Below is a short list of the Hall of Famer's other accomplishments:- 10-time All-Star
- 6-time Gold Golve winner
- 6-time Silver Slugger
- 1989 Batting Champion [.339]
- .318 career hitter
- 2,304 hits in only 12 seasons
As Bert Blyleven said on a broadcast a couple years ago, "If you don't love Kirby Puckett, you don't love life." Blyleven was more right than he knew, because something about Kirby showed you how to love life. Kirby was joy, personified, and his joy infected everyone around him. We are all happier people for having had the privilege of having him play for our team, having had the privilege of knowing him.
When I became baseball fan during the 1986 MLB season, watching the Mets take down the Red Sox in the World Series, Kirby Puckett became one of my favorite players. How could you not love the guy? Standing at 5' 8", "listed" at 210 pounds but probably played closer to 230... Puckett always made solid contact (leading MLB in hits 4 times), always played 110 percent, and was all heart. That heart was put on display during the 1991 World Series when he played one of the greatest WS games of all-time. At least the greatest that I ever saw played. Kurkjian wrote a brilliant piece remembering that game, if you have the time.
In 1996, Puckett was ripped too early from the game that he loved due after complications resulting from glaucoma and a fastball to his right eye. It was such a tragedy, such a ridiculous, terrible end to a glorious career. I couldn't imagine baseball without Kirby, or Kirby without baseball. I once traded a Charles Barkley rookie card for a Kirby Puckett rookie in the late 80's. Probably not the smartest trade. But I wanted Kirby's rookie card. He was my favorite player. Now Puckett has past away, shortening the life of a baseball legend.
posted by Unknown at 11:50 PM
6 Comments:
Yuo dont even have to be a Kirby Puckett fan to feel the pain on this one. Kirby had personality and an infectious smile.
Played with heart more than talent. I for one was saddened when I saw the wire come across.
Rest in Peace Kirby Puckett. You have the Lodges respect and admiration. Its not a Hall of Fame Vote, but it has some clout.
Sad to see he was just a week short of his 45th birthday.
March 14,1961 - March 6th, 2006
It shocked me to hear of his death. I figured he would recover from this stroke, I really had no idea had massive the stroke was.
I was a Kirby fan and how big was he in the both the 87 and 91 World Series. He was not only a leader on the field but off.
I feel bad that his life was tarnished with some accusations toward the end of his life. In just the past few years, he was divorced, a sexual harrassment complaint and he was also accused of battery. I hope he isn't remember for these things, and that he is remember for what he did during his time between the lines.
He finished with 2,304 hits. That is more that Joe DiMaggio and at the time of his retirement his .318 average was one of the highest for a career. (Thanks for the tidbits Tim Kurkjian from ESPN the Magazine). (That is how you credit some one 2.0)
Ya, I'm pretty sure I credited Kurkjian in my post. Whatever.
I think the Lodge Vote holds more weight than a HOF vote. Kirby Puckett is a first ballot Lodge All-Heart Team inductee.
Unfortunately, Puck never got the fan respect like my favorite : Twinkie
Gaetti would be your favorite Twin. And Puck had the fan respect. You are wrong there. I'll bet Goose's favorite player was Kent Hrbek.
I love that f'n website...complete w/ the Metallica's "Shortest Straw" MIDI File
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