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The World Sports
Humanitarian Hall of Fame joins the Major League Baseball family
in mourning the passing of former Minnesota Twins slugger and
Humanitarian Hall of Fame and National Baseball Hall of Fame
inductee Kirby Puckett. Puckett passed away March 6 in
Scottsdale, Ariz. one day after suffering from a stroke. He was
45.
Puckett was born March 14, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. In 1984,
just two years after being drafted by the Twins, Puckett entered
the Major Leagues with a four-hit debut.
Perhaps best known for his engaging smile and magnetic
personality, Puckett’s inspiring play and dynamic leadership
helped guide his 12-year Major League Baseball career, bringing
World Series titles to the Twin Cities in 1987 and 1991 and
helped him to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. |
Photo courtesy: Minnesota Twins
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Generosity and a humanitarian spirit earned
Minnesota Twins slugger Kirby Puckett a year 2000 induction into
the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. |
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As a Sports Humanitarian, Puckett’s tireless work in the
Minneapolis-St. Paul community and among the baseball family
brought him to Boise in 2000 for enshrinement into the World
Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame - one year before earning a
first-ballot trip to Cooperstown.
“We are deeply saddened at the loss of Kirby Puckett – a true
sports humanitarian,” said Larry Maneely, President of the Board
of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. “Kirby’s selfless
efforts in the community helped to enrich the lives of others
around him. When we remember Kirby, we will not just recall his
engaging personality, quick bat and deft glove, but his
understanding for the need to bring opportunity to those who
needed it most.”
Puckett’s humanitarian efforts included work with Children’s
HeartLink, an organization that provides youth with life-saving
heart surgery. His annual Kirby Puckett Celebrity 8-ball
Invitational helped raise more than $1.3 million in support of
the organization.
He helped create a lasting impression on Minnesota youth through
the Puckett Scholars Program at the University of Minnesota
providing scholarships for students of color. Through his
generosity, Puckett annually provided some 30,000 tickets to
Twins baseball games for deserving Twin Cities youngsters. His
efforts also included work with the Food and Drug Administration
promoting new food nutrition labels and a program with the
Minnesota Department of Health teaching kids the dangers of
tobacco use. Along with Dave Winfield, Puckett was a founding
sponsor of the Twins Rookie League Program – a youth baseball
program to introduce the game to inner-city kids. Puckett had
authored three books including one for children entitled, Be the
Best You Can Be and is a regular participant with the
Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Puckett’s awards were numerous and included the USA Today
Weekend Most Caring Athlete Award (1995) and the Branch Rickey
Community Services Award (1994). In 1996, Puckett won the
Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award, presented annually to
the Major League Baseball player deemed most active in the
community. Puckett also held the role of chairman of the
Minnesota Twins Community Fund.
A career.318 man-at-the-plate, Puckett hit for both power and
average with 2,304 hits including 414 doubles and 207 home runs. Puckett’s prowess
with his bat drove in 1,085 runs in 1,783 games throughout his
12-year career. In the field, Puckett won six Gold Gloves for
his deft defensive play where he routinely ascended the outfield
fence snatching balls destined for the bleachers. Irreversible
damage to the retina in his right eye abruptly cut-short the
10-time All-Star’s career in 1996.
Puckett, who was divorced in December 2002, is survived by his
children Catherine and Kirby Jr.
About The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame
The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame (www.sportshumanitarian.com),
located on the Boise State University campus in Boise, Idaho,
recognizes individuals and organizations from the world of
amateur and professional athletics who, through their
humanitarian efforts, distinguish themselves as role models in
the community.
Since 1994 over thirty role models with world-class athletic
ability and exceptional humanitarian achievements have been
inducted to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. Each
spring the induction ceremony includes recipients of an annual
humanitarian awards program that recognizes community
achievement in all corners of the sporting world through its
President’s Award, Pro Team Community Award, Don Simplot Idaho
Humanitarian Award, the Tradition of Excellence Award presented
to a Heisman Trophy winner, and the Nell and John Wooden
Humanitarian Lifetime Coaching Achievement Award. Each year the
Hall of Fame, in partnership with
Boise’s MPC Computers Bowl, honors a player from each team with
its Student Humanitarian Award. The World Sports Humanitarian
Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is open
weekdays to visitors and humanitarians of all ages.
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www.sportshumanitarian.com –
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