http://wcco.com/topstorie...04727.html

I heard he had a stroke the other day, but I didn't think he would die...damn.

Thats so sad.

I was just about to start a thread.

RIP

this is so trippy, because today somebody at work bought a copy of the star tribune and had it laid out on the table by the little kitchenette in the office i work in...i saw kirby on the front page and read about 'im having a stroke the other day.

man.

My favorite player of all time, my all time favorite team. As a Minnesota boy and fan of this guy's class, I am devastated by this loss. Shit, the guy was really young. This death is a real bummer. Will be in deep funk on this.

Rest in peace, my friend, and thank you for giving us the World Series.

He was pretty much the hero of every kid who even liked baseball at all who grew up in Minnesota.

....and we'll see you tomorrow night.

RIP to a true class act.

Stax said:

I hate to bring it up in his death thread but the last few years have taught us that image is nothing as Kirby was as classless as anyone when it came to his ex-wife and the assault trial and all his other ladies.

He was ALL class on the field...off the field was another story.

lovemachine said:

I know a few people that have been affiliated with the Twins in one way or another that have all said the same thing. But his contribution to the game is unquestionable. He was a joy to watch on field, and he could move that compact body around those bases with a quickness. His presence in the game will always be missed.

lovemachine said:

i didn't know that. was he convicted?

Stax said:

No. A jury found him not guilty.

Aww, man.

Anyone who grew up in Minnesota during the 87' World Series run forever holds Kirby as an inspiration....He had some troubles over the past few years, but was a real heroic figure in Minnesota during his career... rest in peace #34

R.I.P. Mr. Puckett.

now this is really bothering me. last weekend at the bookstore i came across a videotape of his greatest moments and without thinking i said to myself 'kirby puckett, isn't he dead?' for a moment there i thought he just was, don't know why. and now he really is
[Edited 3/7/06 6:14am]

okay, I'm the furthest thing from a baseball fan, but this bums me out. They ran the announcement of his death across the tv last night during 24. I had to pause the show for a minute and take in the info as it totally distracted me.

It's a sad day.

endorphin74 said:

Me too. They did a quick mini-special on him on channel 11 last night when they announced it and I remember seeing him play when I'd go to Twins games with my family as a kid. I'm sooooo not a sports fan, I remember being a fan of his.

lovemachine said:

I was going to say the same thing. As a ball player, I have the utmost respect for him. I always enjoyed watching Kirby play. However, after his retirement, all the reports of how he was as a man saddened me. It goes to show you can't really know someone unless you KNOW them.

I had to break the news to my friend who adored him, and she's diehard Giants fan.

I used to cashier for a grocery store at which Kirby did a lot of shopping. I never, not once, saw him refuse to sign an autograph for someone. He seemed so down to earth. I was ringing up his order once – ribs, cakes, chips, fruit trays, etc. I said, “Mr. Puckett, are you having a party?” And he said, “Nah, man – this here’s my dinner!” He will be missed.

I went with my parents to a Twins game in the Dome back in '87 in the regular season. Wouldn't you know, the one time I got up the entire game and went to the restroom, Kirby hit a homerun. I at least got to one of the doors in time to see him run the bases.

He was the reason I watched baseball back then.