Twins 4, Dodgers 7
From the Associated Press:
FORT MYERS, Fla. – One year after the death of Kirby Puckett, the Minnesota Twins paused to remember the Hall of Fame outfielder and his lasting impact on the organization.
Center fielder Torii Hunter, a close friend and the only current Twins player who was a teammate of Puckett's during past spring trainings, has found it difficult to talk about the subject since Puckett died of a stroke at age 45 on March 6 last year.
"I got up this morning, and I prayed for him and his family. I know it must be a tough day for them,'' said Hunter, who first met his mentor in 1994 when he was a minor leaguer. They were placed next to each other in the clubhouse that spring.
Puckett was the catalyst on both Minnesota's World Series championship teams in 1987 and 1991, which were managed by Tom Kelly.
"You miss him. It's a wonderful thing to think about him. He has given us so many memories,'' said Kelly, now a special assistant to the general manager and a guest coach during spring training.
The Twins held a moment of silence in Puckett's honor before their exhibition game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"It weighs on your heart,'' said fellow Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, who also serves as an assistant coach during spring training. "In some ways, it's hard to imagine that it's been a year already. There are certain times of the year when his presence is really missed. There was a big void out there last summer.''
Post Scriptum: RD penned a very nice tribute to Kirby today on A Fan's View, his Star Tribune Twins blog.
Posted by twayn at March 6, 2007 02:30 PMwow i didnt even notice that its been a whole year already. i cant beleave its been that long!
Posted by: Sheldon at March 6, 2007 04:06 PMI liked reading about how Torii Hunter is mentoring Denard Span, just like how Kirby mentored Torii when HE was a minor leaguer (that was in the Strib). I also cannot believe that it's been a year since Kirby's passing.
Posted by: TwinsPrincess at March 6, 2007 04:10 PMThis organization has had some amazing class acts.
Posted by: Stacy at March 6, 2007 04:45 PMA year. Wow. It feels like it was a day ago and a lifetime ago, simultaneously.
You were my hero as a child and you're in my heart now, Puck.
Posted by: Carmen at March 6, 2007 06:19 PMEven though it has been a year Puckett is not forgotten. I wear a shirt with his picture on it still, and use his words as encouragement when i think i have it rough. He may be gone and it may seem like we wont see him for the longest time, but the good news is that the more days go by the closer we get to see him again. His memory will always be with us and i know that there isnt a day that goes by that i dont remember this great man. From seeing the number 34 anywhere or the name Kirby or just pictures of baseball, his presence is always here.
I pray for his family and all those who are reeling since his departure. I pray for Kirby that he is finding rest and enjoying Heaven! Well see you again another night.
LegoVision for 2007? PLLLLEEEAAAASSSSEEEE! :D
KP #34 - I will NEVER forget...
Posted by: Pickles at March 7, 2007 03:50 AMWhen Puck had to retire, I swore that I would go to Coooperstown when he got voted to the Hall. I even wrote it in my planner. And, with two friends of mine, I was there when Puck was enshrined; I even got to sit in on the ESPN Q&A that was broadcast the next morning. It was a wonderful weekend, and when he passed last year, the evening was so painful. I pretty much had ESPN News on all night. My older Twins hat (white and not presentable to go out in public anymore) has #34 drawn in ink on one side and my other favorite player's number [21, the Pirates' Roberto Clemente] on a small patch on the other side. I think the Twins should do that -- create and sell a small #34 embroidered patch that one could wear on their hat.... God Bless You, Puck.
Posted by: PatGLex at March 7, 2007 08:59 AMI just got back from six days in Ft. Myers: 7 games, 6 days. Baseball heaven...except for the fact that we didn't see a win.
It all leads to question for Team Bat Girl: Are we allowed more than one Boyfriend? How about allowing a BabyBoyfriend, say a minor league player? I hope the answer is yes. Tommy Watkins would be my BabyBoyfriend, with Rondell as my Big League boyfriend for 2007. What do you think?
Posted by: Eileen at March 7, 2007 09:01 PMEileen, I fear to answer this question accurately for hit our reputations will take.
But honestly? we are pretty much baseball sluts here with boyfriends coming out our ears - or at least listed in order of preference.
Myself, I have two boyfriends, a flirt buddy and a first love. That's actually a small collection - I am just too lazy to keep up with more than that...
Feel free to be as loose, er.. generous with your affections as you have the energy!!!
Posted by: CapitalBabs at March 8, 2007 12:39 AM