Puckett's life cut short, just like career
Hordyk, Evan
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Sports
For many of us growing up, he was not just another hometown athlete.
Kirby Puckett was a man who, with his infectious smile, energetic affection for the game and his short, pudgy body, transcended baseball to anyone who had the privilege of seeing him play.
When I read on the ESPN BottomLine Monday evening that Puckett had died at a Phoenix, Ariz. hospital Monday morning from complications following a massive stroke suffered the previous day, I was hit hard, growing up not far from the Metrodome confines.
While the former center fielder's death was abrupt, his impact upon baseball fans, including myself, is far from it. In fact, it goes back as far as I can remember.
I have distinct memories of the man many referred to as "Puck."
He was not just "one of the Twins." He was the Twins.
When I remember my earlier years watching games and hearing Metrodome public address announcer Bob Casey emphatically bellow out his famous "Kir-beeee Puckett!!" whenever Puckett stepped up the plate prior to an at-bat, it was all too obvious just who the face of the Twins team was.
There seemed to be an undeniable demeanor about him, from the way he high-kicked when he swung to the way that his 5 foot 8 inch, 215 pound frame sped around the bases.
He also was the catalyst behind the only championships that any current Minnesota franchise owns.
When the Twins moved on to the 1991 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, I was seven years old.
I was too young to remember the 1987 World Series, the Twins' first World Championship, but I consider myself lucky enough to have been able to remember everything that transpired in the last two games of the 1991 Series.
Facing elimination going into game six, Puck huddled his teammates prior to the contest and told them all to "ride his back" to victory.
A game-saving catch off of the plexiglas of the outfield wall in the top of the 11th inning, followed by his dramatic, game-ending home run in the bottom of the inning, sent the Twins to the historic game seven and set forth Puck's legacy. Riding his momentum into the deciding game seven, the Twins claimed their second title in five years by winning what ESPN.com considers the greatest World Series ever.
Kirby Puckett was a man who, with his infectious smile, energetic affection for the game and his short, pudgy body, transcended baseball to anyone who had the privilege of seeing him play.
When I read on the ESPN BottomLine Monday evening that Puckett had died at a Phoenix, Ariz. hospital Monday morning from complications following a massive stroke suffered the previous day, I was hit hard, growing up not far from the Metrodome confines.
While the former center fielder's death was abrupt, his impact upon baseball fans, including myself, is far from it. In fact, it goes back as far as I can remember.
I have distinct memories of the man many referred to as "Puck."
He was not just "one of the Twins." He was the Twins.
When I remember my earlier years watching games and hearing Metrodome public address announcer Bob Casey emphatically bellow out his famous "Kir-beeee Puckett!!" whenever Puckett stepped up the plate prior to an at-bat, it was all too obvious just who the face of the Twins team was.
There seemed to be an undeniable demeanor about him, from the way he high-kicked when he swung to the way that his 5 foot 8 inch, 215 pound frame sped around the bases.
He also was the catalyst behind the only championships that any current Minnesota franchise owns.
When the Twins moved on to the 1991 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, I was seven years old.
I was too young to remember the 1987 World Series, the Twins' first World Championship, but I consider myself lucky enough to have been able to remember everything that transpired in the last two games of the 1991 Series.
Facing elimination going into game six, Puck huddled his teammates prior to the contest and told them all to "ride his back" to victory.
A game-saving catch off of the plexiglas of the outfield wall in the top of the 11th inning, followed by his dramatic, game-ending home run in the bottom of the inning, sent the Twins to the historic game seven and set forth Puck's legacy. Riding his momentum into the deciding game seven, the Twins claimed their second title in five years by winning what ESPN.com considers the greatest World Series ever.