Gilbert Gutknecht: “baseball fans everywhere, and in Minnesota in particular, mourn the passing of Kirby Puckett. Kirby Puckett was born to…”

“baseball fans everywhere, and in Minnesota in particular, mourn the passing of Kirby Puckett. Kirby Puckett was born to play baseball. He lived for the game. In an era of oversized egos and greed gone mad, he was a throwback to an earlier time. Kirby was the ultimate underdog. Born to humble beginnings, he related to kids that could not afford to buy an autograph. Like a bumblebee, he did not know that his stubby body could not fly. Propelled only by an infectious enthusiasm, he amazed us with leaping catches that mere mortals would have conceded to the bleachers. We always knew that with Kirby in the game the underdog Twins always had a chance. With his bat, his glove or with his smile, he made everyone around him play better. He embodied the essence of all that baseball is supposed to be. The game will go on, new heroes will emerge, but there will never be another Kirby Puckett. ____________________”