By Gabes
July, 1996

As you all know, it's not very often these days that I'm moved by a 
professional athlete, particularly the ones who play baseball for big money 
while thumbing their noses and tossing the bird to the fans who help pay their 
ridiculously inflated salaries.  This weekend, however, I was misty eyed as I  
watched Kirby Puckett say farewell to team mates and the game that he loves so 
dearly.

Kirby Puckett was, and is, something very special, a superstar both on and off 
of the field.  He was one of those rare humble athletes who succeeded in 
sports and reached celebrity status without getting caught up in his own self-
importance.  A guy who realized how lucky he was to get paid big money to play 
a kid's game. A guy who was the consummate team player, not the egocentric 
individual. A guy who realized that loyalty to a team and a city is worth far 
more in the end than chasing the almighty dollar. A guy who realized that it's 
not what you take from life, but rather, what you give back that counts. A guy 
who realized that the have's have some obligation to help out the overwhelming 
number of have not's.  And, a guy who lives his life as a model citizen, not 
to mention a model athlete.

Yes, I enjoyed watching Kirby Puckett play baseball.  I also happen to think 
that he was one of the best all around players that I've seen in the last 
fifteen or so years.  A lifetime .318 hitter with over 2,300 hits and two 
World Series rings certainly puts him in an elite group of players since 1980. 
If he doesn't make the hall of fame, it'll only be because of Glaucoma.  It 
really doesn't matter, though, because I'm sure Kirby Puckett is already in 
the Big Scorekeeper's hall of fame and he's still got half of his life or more 
in front of him yet. 

While nearly everyone watching his retirement speech was crying, it didn't 
surprise me that Kirby was characteristically upbeat, thankful for the gifts 
that God had given him and for the love he received from adoring teammates, a 
city and a state.  If he ran for public office anywhere in Minnesota (a state 
that is 97% white), he'd win in a landslide.  And, not because he was a great 
athlete.  Kirby Puckett would win because of the content of his character, 
and, because of all of the things he has done for his community and children's 
charities.

Kirby Puckett is a credit to his family, particularly the mother who raised 
him and eight brothers and sisters in the high crime Robert Taylor homes on 
Chicago's tough south side.  He is a credit to his profession (name me others 
who have his values other than Cal Ripken, Jr.).  And, he is a credit to his 
race, the human race.  Perhaps the greatest tribute appeared on a sign at the 
Twins game yesterday.  It read, "Dear God, please send baseball more Kirby 
Pucketts.  The first one acted and played almost perfect."  Amen!

Gabes  

*************************

March 2006 

On a sorrowful note, Kirby Puckett will be missed in 
these parts. Game 6 in '91 will be his defining moment.

Prep 

**********
Prep,

Kirby's passing is very sad. I wrote several years 
ago about my respect and admiration for Kirby. 
He was a super star player, no doubt, but I think 
what separated him from all of the other super stars 
was that he was *special*. He learned early on that 
getting paid big time dollars to play America's pastime 
was an honor and a privilege. He respected everything 
about the game...the uniform, the franchise he played 
for, its players, the opponents, the umpires, the fans, 
and even the sportswriters. The latter couldn't wait 
to vote Kirby into the Hall on his first try. He was 
respected and admired by both teammates and opponents. 
If you asked any player who played in Kirby's era if 
they would prefer Barry Bonds, Albert Belle, or Kirby 
Puckett as a teammate, the vote would probably have 
been unanimous for Kirby. Perhaps more importantly, 
Kirby gave back to baseball (and his community) way 
more than he took. Stories of his generosity to the 
community and its kids are well documented.

Kirby Puckett played his best in the biggest games, 
and he encouraged his teammates to "jump on my back" 
when their backs were against the wall in the 1991 
World Series. He could talk the talk, and then walk 
the walk. He carried them. Kirby Puckett was special. 
He made me a Twins fan. Puckett was one of those rare, 
exceptional athletes who come along all to infrequently, 
much like Walter Payton who also moved along to that 
better place decades to soon. Sure, Kirby Puckett had 
his demons, but let those who have no skeletons in 
their closet be the first to throw stones. 

I've said before and I'll say it again, baseball, 
and the world, would be better if there were more 
people like Kirby Puckett.

Gabes