A Sea Of Red

Former Twins great Puckett suffers stroke

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett had a stroke at his Arizona home Sunday and was taken to a hospital for surgery, the Minnesota Twins announced from their spring training camp.

The 44-year-old Puckett, who led the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, was taken to a Scottsdale hospital.

"The Minnesota Twins and major league baseball ask fans to keep Kirby and his family in their thoughts and prayers," the team said in a statement.

Ron Shapiro, who was Puckett's agent, said he had been in contact with Puckett's family Sunday but would not confirm his whereabouts.

"We're all praying for his recovery," Shapiro said.

Twins center fielder Torii Hunter sat out Minnesota's exhibition game against the Red Sox after learning of Puckett's stroke.

After the game, team officials said they didn't immediately have any further information on Puckett's condition.

"The doctors said that if he has good luck, he'll be all right. You have to keep the faith," former manager Tom Kelly said.

Said manager Ron Gardenhire: "Our hearts and our prayers are all with Puck. We know it's a tough situation out there."

Puckett, who broke in with Minnesota in 1984, had a career batting average of .318. Glaucoma forced the Gold Glove center fielder and 10-time All-Star to retire in 1996 after 12 seasons with the Twins when he went blind in one eye.

Three years ago, he was cleared of assault charges after being accused of groping a woman at a Twin Cities restaurant.

Puckett has maintained relationships with many people in the Twins' organization. The team tried unsuccessfully to get him to come to spring training as a special instructor this year, something he hasn't done since 2002.

Another former Twins great, Tony Oliva, a special instructor during spring training, said he has been worried about Puckett's weight.

"The last few times I saw him, he kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger," Oliva said. "And we worried about him. I saw him about five months ago. He always tries to invite me. He says, 'Come to Arizona, and we'll play some golf."'

Puckett is divorced and has two children.

I know this guy had quite the dubious reputation, but its still a shame when such a young guy exp such serious health issues.

i always liked kirby on the field. the last i saw him on tv, he was very overweight, and just looked horrible. hopefully we will be able to pull through. my prayers are with him.

no good news to report here. Nice to see they had to drag the skeletons outta the closet too. No dignity in death.

Kirby Puckett dies day after suffering stroke

MINNEAPOLIS -- Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, the buoyant, barrel-shaped outfielder with the perpetual smile who led the Minnesota Twins to two World Series titles in a five-year span, died Monday at an Arizona hospital.

Puckett, whose weight gain in recent years had concerned friends and former teammates, died after suffering a stroke early Sunday at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 45.

He's survived by his children, Catherine and Kirby Jr., and his ex-wife, Tonya. He was engaged to be married this summer.

"This is a sad day for the Minnesota Twins, Major League Baseball and baseball fans everywhere," team owner Carl Pohlad said.

Puckett died at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Scottsdale.

The youngest of nine children born into poverty in a Chicago housing project, Puckett was drafted by the Twins in 1982 and became a regular just two years later. He got four hits in his first major-league start and finished with 2,304 in only 12 seasons before an eye problem cut short his career in 1996.

Out of the game, the 5-foot-8 Puckett put on a considerable amount of weight, which concerned those close to him.

"It's a tough thing to see a guy go through something like that and come to this extent," former teammate Kent Hrbek said Monday night.

"That's what really hurt him bad, when he was forced out of the game," he said. "I don't know if he ever recovered from it."

"We were all concerned. We would tell him. But he enjoyed life. He enjoyed the size he was. That's who he was," said former Twins and current Chicago Cubs outfielder Jacque Jones, who never played with Puckett but was one of the many who considered him a mentor.

Another Minnesota great, Tony Oliva, was concerned about Puckett's condition, too.

"The last few times I saw him, he kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger," Oliva said Sunday after learning about the stroke. "And we worried about him."

Though his power numbers weren't exceptional -- 207 home runs and 1,085 RBI -- Puckett was voted into Cooperstown on the first ballot in 2001. His respect and enthusiasm for the game factored in as much as his .318 average, 1989 batting title, six Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star Game appearances and two championship rings.

Puckett thrilled the crowd in Cooperstown when he said, "I'm telling you, anything is possible" during his induction speech.

His plaque praised his "ever-present smile and infectious exuberance."

He made his mark on baseball's biggest stage, leading heavy underdog Minnesota to an unlikely seven-game victory over St. Louis in 1987 and then doing the same against Atlanta in one of the most thrilling Series in history in 1991.

The Twins returned to the Metrodome that year after losing 14-5 in Game 5, needing to win two straight to get the trophy. Puckett famously walked into the clubhouse hours before Game 6, cajoling his teammates to jump on his back and let him carry them to victory.

Sure enough, after robbing Ron Gant of an extra-base hit with a leaping catch against the wall in the third inning, Puckett homered off Charlie Leibrandt in the bottom of the 11th to force Game 7.

The next night, Minnesota's Jack Morris went all 10 innings to outlast John Smoltz and pitch the Twins to a 1-0 win for their second championship in five years.

"If we had to lose and if one person basically was the reason -- you never want to lose -- but you didn't mind it being Kirby Puckett. When he made the catch and when he hit the home run you could tell the whole thing had turned," Smoltz said Monday night.

"His name just seemed to be synonymous with being a superstar. It's not supposed to happen like this," Smoltz said.

Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk echoed Smoltz's sentiment.

"There was no player I enjoyed playing against more than Kirby. He brought such joy to the game. He elevated the play of everyone around him," Fisk said in a statement to the Hall.

His best year was 1988, when he batted .356 with 24 home runs, 42 doubles and 121 RBI. A contact hitter and stolen-base threat in the minors who hit only four homers in his first two major-league seasons, Puckett developed a power stroke in 1986 and went deep a career-best 31 times.

He became a fixture in the third spot in Minnesota's lineup, a free-swinging center fielder with a strong arm and a flair for nifty catches despite a 5-foot-9, 220-pound frame that made him look more like a fullback. The man known simply as "Puck" was immensely popular. Fans loved his style, especially the high leg kick that preceded his swing. Public address announcer Bob Casey, who became a close friend, introduced him with vigor before every at-bat, "KIR-beeeeeeeeee PUCK-it."

As free agency and expansion turned over rosters more frequently in the 1990s, Puckett was one of the rare stars who never switched teams.

"I wore one uniform in my career and I'm proud to say that," Puckett once said. "As a kid growing up in Chicago, people thought I'd never do anything. I've always tried to play the game the right way. I thought I did pretty good with the talent that I have."

Hit by a pitch that broke his jaw on his last at-bat of the 1995 season, Puckett woke up one morning the following spring and couldn't see out of his right eye. It was eventually diagnosed as glaucoma, forcing him to call it quits that July.

"There are a lot of great players in this game, but only one Kirby," pitcher Rick Aguilera said when Puckett announced his retirement. "It was his character that meant more to his teammates. He brought a great feeling to the clubhouse, the plane, everywhere."

He received baseball's Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award for community service that year, and the Twins -- trying to boost sagging attendance during some lean seasons in the late 1990s -- frequently turned to Puckett-related promotions. He had a spot in the front office and sometimes made stops at the state capitol to help stump for a new stadium.

Though he refused to talk pessimistically about the premature end of his career, Puckett's personal life began to deteriorate after that. Shortly after his induction to Cooperstown, his then-wife, Tonya, accused him of threatening to kill her during an argument -- he denied it -- and described to police a history of violence and infidelity. In 2003, he was cleared of all charges from an alleged sexual assault of a woman at a Twin Cities restaurant.

He kept a low profile after the trial and eventually moved to Arizona. His relationship with the organization ended in 2002, but the Twins kept trying to re-establish a connection and get him to come to spring training again as a guest instructor.

Asked what he would remember the most from their playing days, Hrbek quickly answered, "Just his smile, his laughter and his love for the game."

Puckett's birthdate was frequently listed as March 14, 1961, but recent research by the Hall of Fame indicated he was born a year earlier.

Funeral services were pending.

Definitely Remember him beating the Braves back in 1991 in the World Series. A great baseball player. It is definitely sad that he died too young.

Everytime I hear of a sports figure dying too young, it reminds me, and perhaps the sports world, that fame and fortune are elusive and only what's done for eternity really counts.

A relatives first thoughts to me was, "I wonder if he had been on steroids." A sad thought on a sad day. One of the players of my youth has now passed.

Very sad to hear. My thoughts and prayers will be with his family and friends.

Kirby was excellent in the '87 and '91 World Series. A big loss here in Minnesota and I always had good memories of him as a baseball player. He had some drama a few years back but I like to remember his homers and his smile. It is all that is on the news here and there is a big memorial at the metrodome.

many have skeltons in the closet. yes kirby had some run-ins...he was actually cleared on the sexual assault charge, and certainly he did not honor the marriage contract, and we can only pray that he was a christian and he asked the Lord for forgiveness, but his feats on the field and his contribution to baseball is what we should be discussing. he was a great player, and kept the twins in minnesota.

there are steroids that add fat instead of muscle?

RubberMallet wrote:there are steroids that add fat instead of muscle?

not that I know of but that muscle mass- when not maintained- turns to fat.

look at any ex-HS football player. or SCAR

Twins, fans honor life of Hall of Famer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - All the old Minnesota Twins, from Kent Hrbek to Jack Morris, sat around the infield dressed in dark suits.

Homer Hankies were scattered throughout the stadium. Even the voices of Bob Casey and Jack Buck were brought back for a couple of memorable sound bytes.
Nothing could bring back Kirby Puckett, but the Twins tried their best to offer a moving tribute.

Known for his eagerness, enthusiasm and exceptional ability to play baseball, as well as a perpetual smile and a passion for other people, Puckett might have made his biggest mark in the game with his effort.

As Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire reminded the crowd gathered at the Metrodome for Sunday night's two-hour remembrance, the Hall of Famer wasn't one to cut corners - never neglecting where he came from and always appreciating his success.

"As long as I'm running this baseball team, we will play this game with respect," said Gardenhire, who coached third base for Minnesota during the last half of Puckett's 12-year career.

"We will run every ball out, and we will give you a show every time we come out," Gardenhire added. "Because that's what Kirby would have wanted us to do."

About 15,000 fans joined Puckett's family, friends and dozens of Twins players, coaches and personnel, both current and former, to celebrate what Puckett meant to them.

"Make sure you smile and laugh tonight because that's what Kirby would want, and that's why we loved him," said Twins radio announcer John Gordon, the master of ceremonies, in his introductory remarks.

Gardenhire and a handful of current players, including Torii Hunter, Brad Radke and Joe Mauer, skipped a day of spring training to attend. They sat among peers, past and present, in the infield as a local gospel choir began the event by singing the old hymn "I'll Fly Away." Fans, many toting Homer Hankies and Puckett memorabilia, clapped rhythmically from the seats.

A private memorial service was held earlier in the suburb of Wayzata for Puckett's family and friends before gates opened at the place where Puckett roamed center field on two World Series winners, in 1987 and 1991. Fans lined up outside the stadium several hours before the public service began.

Kevin Grubb, of Blaine, brought his 7-year-old daughter, Paige, who of course never saw Puckett play.

"I wanted her to see what it was like," Grubb said. "See the people and the fans, just to let her know how important he was to the community."

Clearly, Puckett - who died Monday at age 45 after suffering a stroke - meant a lot.

Hrbek, the hometown boy who played first base on both of Minnesota's championship teams and batted right behind Puckett, was cheered louder than any of the other speakers.

"I'm not going to remember the hits and the hustle and the catches that Kirby made," Hrbek said. "I'm going to remember the smile. I'm going to remember the laughter. I'm going to remember the clubhouse pranks and just having a good ol' time with Puck."

As Puckett's popularity grew, Minnesotans and Twins fans began to name not only their children, but family pets, Kirby. This was not lost on Hrbek.

"And if somebody else had a cow or a horse, they always named it Herbie," he said. "I was always second fiddle with Puck, but I loved every minute of it."

People who knew Puckett were always quick to mention his ability to make them laugh, and the ceremony wouldn't have been complete without a chance for chuckles.

Puckett's comical cameo as a Top Ten list reader on the "Late Show with David Letterman," was shown. He offered Creepy Pockets, Turkey Bucket, Buddy Hackett and Englepuck Kirbydink among the top 10 ways to mispronounce his name.

It was a time for those truly close to Puckett to wrap up their day with a sharing of all those special memories, and a way for his former teammates and peers to toast his impact on their careers.

Many of the fans who showed up, of course, never got closer to him than the TV - or that favorite seat in center field where they could sit close and watch him work every half-inning.

But this was more than simply the mourning of a lost baseball player, who was only able to become so widely adored because of the high profile sports have in society. He was a man who, once his playing days were done, revealed a darker side - problems with women and weight.

No, it wasn't about that. For friends, family and fans, it was a time for reflection on his warmth, his sincerity, his awareness and his caring nature.

"You could be in the worst mood ever and all you had to do was hear Kirby laugh, or see his smile, and he could bring you back. Even when you were mad at an umpire," said Cal Ripken, who played against Puckett's Twins teams throughout the 1980s and 1990s with the Baltimore Orioles.

"He's a real person. He was genuine. He was considerate. He was everything a friend should be," Ripken said, asking everyone to close their eyes for a moment and consider Puckett's impact on his or her life.

"I guarantee you, you'll feel better," Ripken said.

A recording of late public address announcer Casey's famous introduction - "Kir-beeeee Puck-ett!" - was played over the speakers as the conclusion arrived. Then came Buck's famous closing call in Game 6 of the '91 Series that Puckett ended with an 11th-inning home run.

That was followed by a clip from his Hall of Fame induction speech, in 2001.

"Can you all just do me one favor?" Puckett told the audience that summer day. "Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us."