Kirby Puckett: 1960-2006

For twelve years, Kirby Puckett played baseball harder than just about any other athlete who has ever taken the field. He was never traded, he never caused controversy, and most importantly, he never settled for anything less than a win. He was the face of the Twins and the face of baseball for over a decade.

Kirby Puckett and Sandy Koufax are two of the greatest players ever that retired early. Puckett played just twelve seasons and retired due to complications he endured. After just twelve seasons, he had over 2,300 hits. If he continued producing as he had and had played as long as Pete Rose or Ty Cobb, he would have set the hit record by over 400 hits. He would have also set the runs and doubles record.

Puckett played from 1984-1995, leading the Twins to two World Series, 1987 and 1991. His most memorable moment was his game-winning home run off Charlie Liebrandt in game six of the 1991 World Series, which is considered by many to be the greatest World Series in history. Puckett was also a ten-time all-star, a six-time gold glove winner, and a five-time silver slugger. He had a career average of .318.

Puckett was inducted into the hall of fame in 2001. This is what it said on his plaque:

"A proven team leader with an ever-present smile and infectious exuberance who led the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991. Over 12 seasons hit for power and average, batting .318 with 414 doubles and 207 home runs. Also a prolific run producer, scored 1,071 runs, and drove in 1,085 in 1,783 games. A six-time Gold Glove winner who patrolled center field with elegance and style, routinely scaling outfield walls to take away home runs. The ten-time all star's career ended abruptly due to irreversible retinal damage in his right eye"

A proven world champion and a great player, Puckett will be remembered generations from now as a player who personified the positive attributes of baseball. He deserves that honor.