Free Republic

One year after the death of Kirby Puckett, the Minnesota Twins paused to remember the Hall of Fame outfielder and his lasting impact on the organization. Center fielder Torii Hunter, a close friend and the only current Twins player who was a teammate of Puckett's during past spring trainings, has found it difficult to talk about the subject since Puckett died of a stroke at age 45 on March 6 last year. "I got up this morning, and I prayed for him and his family. I know it must be a tough day for them," said Hunter, who first met...

Less than two weeks after former Twins center fielder Kirby Puckett died from a stroke, his ex-wife has taken legal steps to keep the Hall of Famer's personal memorabilia from falling into the wrong hands. In a court document filed Friday in Maricopa County, Ariz., where Puckett lived when he died March 6, Tonya Puckett asked that a special administrator be appointed to inventory the contents of the ballplayer's Scottsdale home, which he shared with his fiancée.

Two excellent human beings died this week, long before their time. One thing connects Kirby Puckett, baseball player, and Dana Reeve, actress and widow of Christopher Reeve. It is Ernest Hemingway’s immortal definition of heroism, “grace under pressure.” This man and this women were both heros. Kirby Puckett was a Hall of Famer, one of the finest athletes in Minnesota in any sport. As an outfielder and slugger for the Minnesota Twins, he made the impossible seem natural with his skills. There’s an article in the Pioneer Press, “Weren’t the Cheers Only Yesterday?” which captures the magic of his ability....

MINNEAPOLIS Mar 6, 2006 (AP)— Kirby Puckett died Monday, a day after the Hall of Fame outfielder had a stroke at his Arizona home, a hospital spokeswoman said. He was 44.

PHOENIX — Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett died tonight. Puckett suffered a massive stroke Sunday morning at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., and underwent surgery. He had been transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Family members assembled at the hospital Monday to make the decision on life support. The people with knowledge of Puckett’s condition said he was expected to be removed from the life support sometime Monday.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kirby Puckett died Monday, a day after the Hall of Fame outfielder had a stroke at his Arizona home, a hospital spokeswoman said. He was 44. Puckett died at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Kimberly Lodge said. He had been in intensive care since having surgery at another hospital following his stroke Sunday morning. Puckett carried the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991 before his career was cut short by glaucoma. His family, friends and former teammates gathered at the hospital throughout Monday. The hospital said Puckett was given last rites and...

PHOENIX — Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett is expected to be removed from life support tonight, according to two people with knowledge of Puckett’s condition. Puckett suffered a massive stroke Sunday morning at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., and underwent surgery. He has been transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Family members assembled at the hospital Monday to make the decision on life support. The people with knowledge of Puckett’s condition said he was expected to be removed from the life support sometime Monday. "Tough day," former Twins manager Tom Kelly said today at the...

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Hall of Famer and Twins great Kirby Puckett suffered a stroke this morning at his Scottsdale, Ariz., home and was at Scottsdale Osborne Hospital where he was undergoing surgery. He was initially taken to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital before being air-lifted to Osborne.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Former Minnesota Twins great Kirby Puckett had a stroke at his Arizona home Sunday and was taken to a hospital for surgery, the team announced from its spring training camp. The 44-year-old Puckett, who led Minnesota to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991 and is a member of the Hall of Fame, 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.