Fron ESPN.com:

PHOENIX -- Hall of Fame outfielder Kirby Puckett was in critical condition early Monday after undergoing surgery for a stroke he had on Sunday.

Puckett, 44, remained in intensive care at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Kimberly Lodge said. Puckett was moved to the hospital after undergoing surgery at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn.

"Tough day," former Twins manager Tom Kelly said Monday at the Twins' training camp. "It could get worse."

Puckett had surgery to drain blood and relieve pressure resulting from bleeding in the brain, two sources familiar with the situation told The Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

Brutal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2355333

:(



Hope he recovers. Sad sad news.

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Best wishes KP. I hope he recovers.

This would probably be a bad time to ask if he fondled any nurses while at the hospital, wouldn't it?

Kirby was one of my favorite players growing up. Anyone that short and fat that could ball like that was the man. Too bad eye problems shortened his career a bit and then groping and purse-nabbing tarnished his image.

BREAKING NEWS: Kirby Puckett has died at age 44.
I saw it on ESPN bottom line. I'll post a link when I can find one. Sad sad news.

Thoughts and prayers with his family

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ArMaRHGvmiE1s.hrBWbjE.QRvLYF?slug=ap-obit-puckett&prov=ap&type=lgns

Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett dies

By DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer
March 6, 2006

AP - Mar 6, 8:25 pm EST
More Photos



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 Phoenix, 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.

The hospital said Puckett was given last rites and died in the afternoon.

"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.

The buoyant, barrel-shaped Puckett broke into the majors in 1984 and had a career batting average of .318. Glaucoma forced the six-time Gold Glove center fielder and 10-time All-Star to retire when he went blind in his right eye.

"This is a sad day for the Minnesota Twins, Major League Baseball and baseball fans everywhere," Twins owner Carl Pohlad said.

KIRBY KIRBY KIRBY

I hated baseball but I loved Kirby. He was a fat guy that could play.

RIP

RIP


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http://www.freewebs.com/egautographs/KIRBYPUCKETT.jpg
Sad to see him go. Peace out homie.

Rest in peace Kirby, I'll always remember my hatred of the Twins being a Tigers fan, which was largely due to his ability.

Not the classiest man, but it's always sad to see someone pass away, especially such an influential player.

RIP Kirby Puckett. A guy who actually added some shred of class to baseball.

Only during the years he played. Things changed drastically after he retired.

Only during the years he played. Things changed drastically after he retired.

Imagine having to leave the sport you love, with some good years still under your belt, because you've gone blind in one eye.

You can still physically play, but can't. Jim Abbott could pitch with one arm, and Curtis Pride can play deaf, but with glaucoma you're just on the other side of your abilities. No depth perception = loss of timing. It must've driven him mad, and for all of that, he lived about as well as a former player could live under those conditions.