Kirby Puckett

Kirby Puckett was a Major League outfielder who played his entire 12-season career for the Minnesota Twins.

1. Born: March 14, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois
2. Died: March 6, 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona
3. First 20th century player with 1,000 hits in his first five full years
4. Appeared in 10 All-Star games
5. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001

One of the most universally-loved personalities on and off the baseball field, Puckett grew up in the infamous Robert Taylor Homes housing project in Chicago. He played his first season in 1984 for the Minnesota Twins, establishing himself as an outstanding hitter and defensive outfielder, qualities for which he finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting. Puckett would go to lead the American League in hits four times, including in 1989, when he won the batting title with an average of .339. In 1987 and 1991, Puckett led the Twins to two World Series and two World Championships.

In 1996, at the age of 36, Puckett was forced to retire after losing vision in his right eye during spring training as the result of glaucoma. Puckett was forced to retire, and over the next few years, the stocky slugger's weight ballooned to 300 pounds. In 2001, Puckett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In 2006, however, Puckett suffered a massive stroke and died only days away from his 46th birthday.

Kirby Puckett was a Major League outfielder who played his entire 12-season career for the Minnesota Twins.

1. Born: March 14, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois

2. Died: March 6, 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona

3. First 20th century player with 1,000 hits in his first five full years

4. Appeared in 10 All-Star games

5. Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001

</small> One of the most universally-loved personalities on and off the baseball field, Puckett grew up in the infamous Robert Taylor Homes housing project in Chicago. He played his first season in 1984 for the Minnesota Twins, establishing himself as an outstanding hitter and defensive outfielder, qualities for which he finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting. Puckett would go to lead the American League in hits four times, including in 1989, when he won the batting title with an average of .339. In 1987 and 1991, Puckett led the Twins to two World Series and two World Championships.

</small> In 1996, at the age of 36, Puckett was forced to retire after losing vision in his right eye during spring training as the result of glaucoma. Puckett was forced to retire, and over the next few years, the stocky slugger's weight ballooned to 300 pounds. In 2001, Puckett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In 2006, however, Puckett suffered a massive stroke and died only days away from his 46th birthday. </note>

• Mahalo's Guide to the Minnesota Twins
• MLB.com: Career Stats
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Height: 5'8
  • Weight: 210 lbs
  • Position: Outfield
  • Rookie Year: 1984
  • Retired: 1996

• eBay: Kirby Puckett products

• Amazon: Kirby Puckett books

• Beckett Collectibles: Kirby Puckett collectibles

• DomePlus.com: Kirby Puckett memorabilia

• • This page was created by Marc H, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo Greenhouse (see the original), and curated by Jon M..

• If you'd like to help us create the best spam free search results on the Internet, apply to be a Part Time Guide!</em>