Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett ( born March 14, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois, † March 6, 2006 in Phoenix, Arizona) was an American baseball player in Major League Baseball.
Biography
Kirby Puckett grew up in Chicago in a poor family on the youngest of nine children. In 1982 he was in the draft required by the Minnesota Twins, where he played his entire career in Major League. His debut in the Puckett used mostly as an Outfielder on May 8, 1984. In this game, he scored four base hits, Puckett was the ninth player in the history of Major League, this was achieved in his first game. From 1986 to 1995 he took part in the annual MLB All- Star Game. His first year had gloss Puckett in 1987, this year he won with the Twins, the first World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. The 1987 season he finished with a batting average of 33.3 percent and 207 hits. His second title could Puckett in 1991 to celebrate the finale against the Atlanta Braves. Curious at this final meeting was the fact that both teams had a year earlier located at the last place of their division. In the sixth game of this series Puckett secured the Twins with a home run in the last at -bat in the eleventh inning victory and so forced a seventh encounter in which the Twins won the title. His last game he played on 28 September 1995. 1996 prevented him trouble with his eyes on a sequel to his career and he announced his retirement. At this time he led the eternal Bestof the Twins in hits, doubles, total bases, at-bats and runs.
He had become a legend in the Twins Through his faithfulness to the club. As early as 1997 his jersey number 34 was not longer available from Minnesota.
In the first possible election year Puckett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. After Sandy Koufax and Lou Gehrig, he was the third-youngest player to whom was bestowed this honor. Many health problems and a strong increase in weight after the end of his sporting career could Puckett avoid publicity; nevertheless, he enjoyed great popularity. On 6 March 2006 Puckett died in Phoenix after a stroke. In addition to a private memorial service, a public memorial service in front of around 15,000 fans took place in Minneapolis on March 13 at the Metrodome.
His positions as a player
Awards
- MLB All-Star 1986 - 1995
- 1991 ALCS MVP
- 1993 All-Star MVP
- 1993 Branch Rickey Award
- Gold Glove Award 1986 - 1989, 1991 - 1992
- Silver Slugger 1986 - 1989, 1992, 1994