Wow, 44 seems a little early to die from or even have a stroke.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Kirby Puckett died Monday, a day after the Hall of Fame outfielder had a stroke at his Arizona home, a hospital spokeswoman said. He was 44.

Puckett died at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., Kimberly Lodge said. He had been in intensive care since having surgery at another hospital following his stroke Sunday morning.
Puckett carried the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991 before his career was cut short by glaucoma. His family, friends and former teammates gathered at the hospital throughout Monday.

"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am terribly saddened by the sudden passing of Kirby Puckett," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "He was a Hall of Famer in every sense of the term.

"He played his entire career with the Twins and was an icon in Minnesota. But he was revered throughout the country and will be remembered wherever the game is played. Kirby was taken from us much too soon - and too quickly," he said.

 

That stinks.I enjoyed watching Kirby play.He was a great ball player who gave 100% at all times.He was also a good role model.Back in the days when athletes were role models.I hardly ever watch sports anymore.
RIP Kirby

 

Kirby was a great ambassador for the game of baseball. He will be missed.

 

Growing up in Minnesota, I was given the special treat of watching Kirby play for the Twins in the 80's and 90's. What great times those were -- I can still here Bob Casey's (the announcer at the Metrodome) voice introducing him to the crowd this way:

"Batting fourth and playing centerfield, Kirbyyyyyyyyyy Puckett!"

We'll miss ya', Puck!

 

So young, very sad.

 

I watched him play against the Texas Rangers several times. He was such a spark plug, you caught yourself rooting for him even when he was the opposition. He had so much energy on the field.

 

Yeah, I still remember the Kiry Puckett Commercial, circa 1992 when a pop fly sails toward him, it grounds and he picks it up. There's a runner on 3rd and he takes off for home. Then it's like Kirby locks on to the backcatcher like a terminator or something, and from the outfield, he throws and guns the runner down with a blazing throw to the backcatcher.

I didn't know who Kirby Puckett before I saw that commercial; but, I became a fan afterwards; even though I was never a real baseball fan...

44... Damn shame, but, I had a friend in the Army who had a stroke at 20... And two girls I grew up with died from aneurysms, LaShawn at 24 in 1992 and Josette in 2004 at 28.

You're never too young to have a stroke. My mom had one as a child, and another one in 2003, she recovered 100% from the one when she was a child (Pre-teen) and about 95% from the one in 2003.

 

RIP Kirby ................