By Don Jacobson
As a Minnesotan, a lifelong Twins fan, and a former sportswriter who had the great privilege of covering the Twins in their 1991 World Championship season, I can tell you one thing: We may never see another Kirby Puckett in our lifetimes. Not in baseball or in any other sport.
He lived life hard–so hard it was like he was operating at a different level than anyone else. The energy just flew off him. Your eyes were drawn to him even in a crowded, noisy locker room. But it was a positive energy, unlike so many other intense pro athletes I have encountered. Kirby Puckett was an elite super-athlete who had a special something that enabled him to never succumb to the immense pressure of stardom and turn into an asshole. And I loved him for that.
Posted on March 9, 2006