Kirby Puckett Statue

Twins legend and Hall of Famer who led Minnesota to two World Series titles.

Kirby Puckett (March 14, 1960 – March 6, 2006) was an American professional baseball player who played his entire 12-year MLB career for the Minnesota Twins (1984–1995). He was instrumental in helping the Twins win World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. Puckett generally played center field, although he was shifted to right field later in his career.

Quick Facts

Silver slugger awards: 6

Lore & Background

Puckett was known for hitting a dramatic game-winning home run in Game Six of the 1991 World Series. He led the American League in batting with a .339 average in 1989 and led the league with 112 runs batted in in 1994. He won six Silver Slugger Awards and six Gold Gloves during his playing career and was named to the AL All-Star Team 10 times. He finished his career with a .318 batting average, 207 home runs, and 1085 runs batted in. After being forced to retire in 1996 at age 36 due to loss of vision in one eye from a central retinal vein occlusion, Puckett was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 in his first year of eligibility. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 2006 at the age of 45.

Reader's Guide

Puckett was born March 14, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins third overall in the January 1982 MLB draft. He signed with the Twins for $20,000 after the JUCO World Series. He made his major league debut on May 8, 1984. Puckett won the AL batting title in 1989 and the AL RBI title in 1994. He was named ALCS MVP in 1991. He broke the Twins career hits record on June 26, 1994, reaching 2,088 hits.

Did You Know?

Puckett won six Silver Slugger Awards (1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992).
Puckett signed with the Twins for $20,000, not $25,000.

Humble Origins and the Road to the Majors

Kirby Puckett was born March 14, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of nine children. He grew up in a three-bedroom apartment in the Robert Taylor Homes housing project. His father worked two full-time jobs at a department store and the post office. After high school success at Calumet High School attracted little attention from scouts, Puckett took a job installing carpeting for Ford Motor Company. Following a layoff, he attended an open tryout hosted by the Kansas City Royals, which led to a scholarship at Bradley University. His grades suffered after his father's death, leading him to transfer to Triton College. There, in 1982, he batted .472 with 16 home runs and 78 RBIs, earning National Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year honors.

The Defining Moment of the 1991 World Series

In Game Six of the 1991 World Series, Puckett hit a dramatic game-winning home run in the bottom of the 11th inning against the Atlanta Braves. The Twins trailed three games to two entering the game. Earlier, Puckett had driven in Chuck Knoblauch with a triple and made a leaping catch in left field to rob Ron Gant of an extra-base hit. CBS broadcaster Jack Buck's call of "And we'll see you tomorrow night!" accompanied Puckett rounding the bases after his 2–1 count home run off Charlie Leibrandt. The Twins went on to win Game 7, claiming their second World Series title in five years.

Legacy, Tragedy, and Enduring Impact

Puckett was forced to retire in 1996 at age 36 due to a central retinal vein occlusion that caused loss of vision in one eye. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 in his first year of eligibility. Known for his sunny personality and passion for baseball, he is considered perhaps the most popular athlete in Minnesota history. His reputation faced challenges after retirement due to off-the-field incidents that became public. Puckett died of a cerebral hemorrhage on March 6, 2006, at age 45.