"Jump on my back. I'll carry you."

Kirby Puckett

1960-2006

 

Last night I was skating at the Minnesota Metro-dome when I heard the news that Kirby Puckett passed away.  It was probably the most poignant place to be receiving such news.  It was hard not to look inside the dome and see that #34 Kirby Puckett jersey hanging knowing that his journey here on earth had ended.  Most everyone stopped what they were doing and watched the television reporter in front of the hospital where Kirby lay.  Some people were moved to tears and silence filled the usual bustling Metro-dome halls as skaters gathered their thoughts and shook their heads in disbelief.

 

The homer: In the clubhouse before World Series Game 6, with the Twins down three games to two, Puckett told his teammates to "jump on my back. I'll carry you." He led off the bottom of the 11th with a home run to left, propelling his team into Game 7 and an eventual second World Series championship in five years.

 

Watching the Twins win the 1987 World Series was one of my most memorable times in my childhood and Kirby Puckett was center stage.  I was 13 years old.  I can remember like it was yesterday waving the homer hankies and screaming at the TV when he caught that ball against the fence.  Or when he hit that home run and hearing the announcer scream out…. “TOUCH THEM ALL KIRBY!!  TOUCH THEM ALL!!!”

 

The catch: There would have been no Game 6 homer -- no extra innings -- had it not been for Puckett's leaping catch of a Ron Gant drive in the third inning that kept Atlanta from scoring at least one run. Puckett, playing what many believe the greatest game ever by a Twin, drove in three runs in a 4-3 victory.

 

It was such a big deal in the state of Minnesota at the time that my older sister remembers the schools letting them off of school to attend the home coming parade they held down town. Kirby was my favorite.  He was fast.  He was good and he looked like he was having the time of his life.  He was Minnesota baseball and he was the closest thing to a ‘Babe Ruth’ of my time I was ever gonna get. 

 

The "other" Game 6: He tied a World Series record in theTwins' Game 6 victory over St. Louis in 1987 for most times reaching base in a game (five) and most runs scored (four). The Twins won their first Series the next night, and Puckett batted .357 in the seven games.

 

Because my dad was a serious baseball fan we watched almost every game and listened to the games on the radio. After Kirby had to stop playing due to glaucoma issues with his eye I have to admit, I stopped watching Minnesota Baseball.  It just wasn’t the same anymore.

 

The weekend: On Aug. 29-30, 1987, Puckett went 10-for-11 over two games at Milwaukee, setting an AL record and tying the modern-day major league record for hits in two consecutive games. In the Sunday game, he went 6-for-6 and stole a grand slam from Robin Yount.

 

I’m proud to say however, that I had the pleasure of meeting him in person at a past job’s social event.  He was a classy guy and was as nice as he could be.  I regret not asking him for his autograph but I didn’t have anything for him to sign at the time and it was highly discouraged.  The experience itself will have to suffice and I am happy I met this great baseball player in my lifetime.

 

The debut: The center fielder provided a sign of things to come when he went 4-for-5 in his major league debut on May 8, 1984, becoming the ninth player in history to collect four hits in his first game.

 

Now playing for the HEAVEN SWINGERS, Hall of Famer, #34,

KKIIIIIRRRBBBYYYYYY  PUCKKET!!!

 

Rest in peace dude, you will be missed…..

 

 

 

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