Michael Tillery.com

#34

March 7th, 2006
by Michael Tillery

A champion is gone. Kirby Puckett's impact on a predominately White game was immense. Coming from the tough streets of Chicago he was a story of Black strength and perseverance. He was characterized improperly by most scouts who claimed he was too short, too fat and couldn't hit for power. There just aren't players like him anymore. He hit the mess out of the ball. Some of the things he did made me and my boys make up new slang. We would say, "That's African!" when Kirby would scale a wall and rob one of the seven would be homers that became long emotion draining outs in his glove. Although most of my friends were Yankee fans, we loved Kirby for the way he played the game. We would tape his highlights and watch them in slow motion over and over. Ooohing and ahhhing like we were sweating a Michael Jordan breakaway dunk. The game was definitely Puckett's escape. He was a role model for Black children who came from the same streets who didn't want to wait their turn in the long lines that frequented basketball courts in the hood. An important part of baseball died when Kirby Puckett passed, he was the quintessential Black role model for young Black baseball players in the 80's.

Game 6, 1991 World Series. The Twins are down to the Braves three games to two. The Braves had many made for TV subplots. Lonnie Smith playing in another World Series-with his record fourth different team. A pitching staff-led by 24 year old fireballer John Smoltz--that was initially making a name and that eventually would help to evolve the Braves into double digit National League East Champions. The drug suspension of mercurial Otis Nixon. The gigantic arms and slingshot bat of Ron Gant. Ted Turner and Jane Fonda. The off the chart post season hitting of the usually mediocre hitting Mark Lemke. You couldn't write a better script for a World Series hero to emerge. This was one of the greatest World Series in the history of the sport.

Puckett pulled his team aside after batting practice for a pre-game pep talk, precluding what would be the signature game of his outstanding, albeit short, career. He was the unquestioned leader of a clubhouse that opposing teams envied. This is what sports camaraderie is all about. The dancing. The singing. The boyish chides of a team set on winning the right way. No animosity. No drama. When they were on the field together, they were champions of teammates. Kirby merely said, "Jump on my back, I'm gonna carry us." With those words one of the greatest big game performers in the history of sports broke from his already huge shadow and cast a lightening legend. If you've ever played baseball, and been in a zone, you know the feeling Kirby had that day. You anticipate every play and make it glorious. Players from both sides look at you different. You can do no wrong. You see the ball out of the pitcher's glove perfectly. You knew the pitch you would later hit out of the park before you entered the batter's box.

When you see the plays from that game. You are simply in awe. Robbing Ron Gant of an extra base hit against the plexi-glass with the fans behind screaming in amazing adulation. The outfield assists. The positive subjugation of the Twins dugout The first to third to home rumbles with the determination of a bull seeing red. Kirby just wasn't angry, because he did it all with a smile. Then came the shot that became his signature moment. The game winning, eleventh inning homer off Charlie Leibrandt that catapulted the home team Twins to the brink of another championship and Puckett into the not so large pantheon of true clutch performance greatness. Jack Morris would throw his just as clutch seven hit gem shutout in game seven to elevate a team that finished last the year before, to the World Championship. Worse to first. Can you still see the mustache?

Sui generis! Yes, it was unique. Carpe Diem! The moment was definitely his.

In an interview with ESPN, you can see it in Dave Winfield's eyes. You can also see the obvious admiration in the childhood smile that beckoned as he described playing with Kirby Puckett in eulogy like fashion. "He was never down. He was always up. Whoever he played against or with; everybody loved Kirby Puckett. He swung one of the biggest bats. He swung a war club and came to crush that ball. He had fun He had this infectious laugh that made everybody in the clubhouse laugh. They don't get any better than Kirby Puckett."

Teammate Denny Hocking says of Puckett: "He was bigger than Michael Jordan in Minnesota. If it wasn't for him, Minnesota wouldn't have a franchise."

Puckett had his share of controversy after his playing days were over. He was alleged to have had an eighteen-year affair and had numerous abuse and threatening charges against him. He was cleared of all charges. His wife Tonya was a fixture at all his charity events, sometimes doing most of the work. She divorced him after the infidelity as well as charges that he assaulted her. Somehow, she remained one of his biggest supporters.

Hit .318 and had 2304 hits in 12 yr. career. He won six Gold Gloves. Made ten consecutive All-Star teams, won a batting title and won four silver slugger awards (leading the league in hits).

Sports have this continuous way of keeping its "games" in perspective. When shocking moments like this happen, fans need to close their eyes and visualize the crack of the bat, the pop of the glove--the true meaning sports consumes some of us who follow it's every play. Even in death Kirby has helped us remember some forgotten moments and the reason why we love the games for what they are. Rest in peace Kirby. We all are praying for your loved ones. Go get your brothers Reggie White and Derrick Thomas. The smiles of you three hopefully will help prohibit the world to take for granted those of you who have passed so young. We shall miss you.

Some of Kirby Puckett's memorable moments:

March 14, 1960: Born in Chicago.

May 8th 1984: Called up to replace Jim Eisenreich, who was suffering from Tourette's Syndrome. Became 9th player to debut with four hits. Also led outfielders with sixteen assists that year.

April 22, 1985: Kirby hits a three run homer. He's the only player to have a zero home run and a thirty home run season in his career.

August 1, 1986: Kirby hits for cycle in game that Bert Blyleven fires 2 hitter and strikes out 15-a club record. Blyleven becomes tenth pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts.

October 1987: Hit .357 in seven game upset World Series victory against St. Louis Cardinals. " 1988: Hit .356 with 234 hits and 121 RBI's.

May 13, 1989: Puckett hits four doubles in 10-8 win against Blue Jays. Hits two more the next day to tie two game record.

November 22, 1989: The Twins make Kirby the first player in history to receive an average salary of three million.

August 16, 1990: In a 7-5 loss to Cleveland, Puckett starts in right field, moves to shortstop, third base and second base in 8th inning. Cleveland fails to score.

July, 1993: Wins All-Star MVP after hitting homer in game that became known more for the classic confrontation between Randy Johnson and John Kruk.

September 28, 1995: Kirby is hit in the face inadvertently by "El Presidente" Dennis Martinez. Suffers broken jaw and a burst artery.

March 28, 1996: Glaucoma strikes Puckett. Awakes with blurry vision, as a black dot is visible in eye. Vision is diagnosed as 20/200. Kirby ironically was hitting .360 that spring. Retired June 12, that same year.

May 25, 1997: Twins waste no time and retire Kirby's number 34 jersey.

January 16, 2001: Elected to hall with Dave Winfield.

August 5, 2001: Kirby Puckett inducted in Hall of Fame with Winfield, Bill Mazeroski and 16 yr. Monroe and Kansas City Monarch Negro League great, Hilton Smith.

March 6, 2006: Dies after massive stroke the day before. Survived by his fiancée' and two children, Catherine Margaret and Kirby Jr.