Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
March 06, 2006
Puckett Passes

Kirby Puckett passed away this evening:

"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am terribly saddened by the sudden passing of Kirby Puckett," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "He was a Hall of Famer in every sense of the term.

"He played his entire career with the Twins and was an icon in Minnesota. But he was revered throughout the country and will be remembered wherever the game is played. Kirby was taken from us much too soon -- and too quickly," he said.

I loved watching Kirby from the first moment I saw him. I wasn't that impressed with his stats early on. He had a high batting average, but that was it. Then, in his third year he developed power and started getting on base more. Combined with his centerfield defense, he turned into a great all around ballplayer.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Update: Batgirl offers a fitting eulogy.


Posted by David Pinto at 08:53 PM | Deaths | TrackBack (1)
Comments

until all that stuff about spouse abuse came out he was one of my 10 favorite players ever.

5'6" built like a barrel and played CF. too cool.

may he rest in peace and my sympathies to his kids

Posted by: lisa gray at March 6, 2006 09:02 PM

The image I'll have burned into my memory, is of him hitting the HR in the '91 Series to force a game 7. That, to me, was Kirby Puckett -- the player who wouldn't give up. And what a classic game 7 he gave us (even tho my team lost, it was a great one).

Posted by: Devon at March 6, 2006 09:47 PM

As I listened to a radio report Monday afternoon about Kirby Puckett, the man said in unison with me speaking to myself "I'll never forget Kirby's smile..."

He went on to mention how the entire clubhouse would be uplifted simply by Kirby walking in and flashing that winning smile and getting everybody up for a game.

This is really unexpected, sad news at an otherwise happy time in baseball.

Posted by: Bote Man at March 7, 2006 12:49 AM

My condolences to his family. I think Bill James said it best; if you're going to have a Kirby Puckett shaped body in the major leagues, you have to be really good.

Posted by: rbj at March 7, 2006 08:19 AM

It's sad of Kirby's passing and I saw on the news yesterday a cool painting of Kirby is being made, I also saw the painting, its pretty big, its like he is realy there. It was sure great to watch him play always so excited and giving 100%, thanks Kirby for the memories.
Life Size Painting of Kirby Puckett

Posted by: Joe at March 17, 2006 01:21 PM

It's sad of Kirby's passing and he created a lot of wonderful memories and help gave us 2 world series. I saw on the news yesterday a cool painting of Kirby is being made, I also saw the painting, its pretty big, its like he is realy there. It was sure great to watch him play always so excited and giving 100%, thanks Kirby for the memories.
Life Size Painting of Kirby Puckett

Posted by: joe at March 17, 2006 02:52 PM
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