Hall of Fame Player Dead at 44

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Hall of Fame Outfielder for the Minnesota Twins Kirby Puckett dies at the age of 44 due to complications of a massive stroke he had on Sunday afternoon. Puckett had a 12 year career in which he amased 2,304 hits. He lead the Minnesota Twins to 2 World Series Championships in 1987 and in 1991. Known as a big game player after he singlehandedly won game 6 of the 1991 World Series against Atlanta. Kirby was forced to retire after getting beaned by a 97 MPH fastball by Seattle Mariners Randy Johnson. After the beaning, Kirby lost the sight in his one eye. Kirby Puckett was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991. Kirby Puckett dead 8 days short of his 45th birthday. 🙁

 

[RobAce]

Certainly a sad day for sports fans. Kirby Puckett was indeed one the true greats in every sense of the word. He was a gentleman on and off the field.
He was never like today's superstars. He was softspoken and represented the best of the game.
He was certainly a baseball player that I admired.
He will be missed.

RIP Kirby. Hit one out of the park for me..Im sure the big man upstairs has you leading off tonight.

Rob

 

[Ticklee1973]

I literally started sobbing hearing this. I know so many fans are out there across the country but being from Minnesota especially during the World Series where he played, it literally shocked the hell out of me to hear this saddening news today. May he rest in peace and prayers for his family and fiancee. I'm still in utter shock over this.

Sandee

 

[Mitchell]

This is an absolute tradegy. Mr Puckett died way too young. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and the Twins organization.

Mitch

 

[milagros317]

This is unbelievably sad. He was a very talented player and a very fine man.

 

[unit5610]

Yeah, I just saw this...unbelievable! Very sad...reminded me a little of when Roberto Clemente died (though he was still active). My heart goes out to Twins fans.

 

[Goodieluver]

he got robbed of the end of his career and truly was the franchise of the twins, very sad

 

[luvgirlsfeet]

I only saw him play live once, when the Twins visited Fenway Park many years ago. Rest In Peace Kirby..

 

[Butterfly wings]

How sad. RIP Kirby

A true class act to the game of baseball.

 

[unclebill]

Kirby was one heck of a player.

 

[isabeau]

ahh i just heard this.. so sad, i knew he had glaucoma. a great baseball player . rest in peace

isabeau

 

[Rich P]

People who know me in here know that my nature is to be sarcastic and cynical. I've always been that way, and I guess I always will.

Having said that, there are times that I wish that I had the joy and optimism that KIrby Puckett had when he played baseball. I was listening to Mike & Mike on ESPN this morning on the way to work, and they spent most of the first hour of the show talking about not only Kirby Puckett the player, but more importantly, Kirby Puckett the human being.

He was one of those people that others gravitated to with his sunny disposition and friendly demeanor. He wasn't the prototypical athlete, he was built more like a fire hydrant that a Greek god. However, he packed more drive and will to win in that 5-8 body than someone who was ten feet tall.

He deserved to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, not only for what he did on the field, but what he did off it.

I think for one final time, we need to salute him. As the former PA announcer at the Metrodome would introduce him....

In left field...number thirty-fourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

KIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEE PUCKETT!!!

Thanks for the Memories, Puck.