Classic Photos of Kirby Puckett

One of the best center fielder's to ever play the game, first-ballot Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett made his major league debut hitting four singles in 1984. Puckett played his entire 12-year career with the Minnesota Twins, winning the AL batting title in 1989 and World Series rings in 1987 and '91. He's still the Twins all-time leader in runs, hits, doubles and total bases. Here are 34 classic photos of No. 34 Kirby Puckett.

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 8, 2014

Classic Photos of Kirby Puckett

1979

Kirby Puckett poses with his mom, Catherine, at his graduation of Calumet High School in Chicago.

1984

Kirby Puckett hustles around the bases during his rookie season.

1986

Kirby Puckett poses for a portrait in Detroit.

1987

Kirby Puckett laughes in the Twins' dugout during a game against the Mariners.

1988

Kirby Puckett looks ready to run as Oakland A's first baseman Mark McGwire stands ready.

1989

Kirby Puckett and Wade Boggs chat prior to the All-Star game at Anaheim Stadium.

1989

Kirby Puckett and Bo Jackson sit in the dugout before the All-Star game at Anaheim Stadium.

1990

Kirby Puckett tosses his bat during a spring training game in Florida.

1991

Kirby Puckett appears on his first SI cover during the Twins' ALCS playoffs against the Blue Jays.

1991

The ALCS MVP, Kirby Puckett gets showered with alcohol by his teammates after the Twins beat the Blue Jays 8-5 to win Game 5.

1991

Kirby Puckett hits the game-winning home run off Braves pitcher Charlie Leibrandt in the 11th inning of Game 6 of the World Series at the Metrodome to force a Game 7.

1991

Kirby Puckett pumps his fist in celebration as he rounds the bases after his game-winning home run in Game 6 of the World Series.

1991

Kirby Puckett waves to the crowd during the victory parade in St. Paul, Minn., after the Twins won the World Series.

1992

Kirby Puckett appears on his second SI cover during spring training in Florida.

1992

Kirby Puckett smiles at the camera during a game against the Athletics in Oakland.

1993

Kirby Puckett hits a home run off Phillies pitcher Terry Mulholland during the second inning of the All Star game.

1993

Kirby Puckett and Joe Carter share a laugh during a benefit bowling tournament in New York City.

1994

Kirby Puckett slides into home safe past Brewers catcher Dave Nilsson.

1995

Kirby Puckett takes batting practice before the All Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

1996

Kirby Puckett waves to teammates during his news conference where he announced his retirement from baseball on July 12, 1996, just hours after undergoing eye surgery which revealed irreversible damage to his retina.

1996

Kirby Puckett gets a hug from teammate Chuck Knoblauch as other players wait to wish him well after Puckett announced his retirement from baseball.

1996

Kirby Puckett Jr. offers his dad a bite of candy during a ceremony to rename a block of Chicago Avenue in downtown Minneapolis Kirby Puckett Place.

1996

Kirby Puckett chats with Ken Griffey, Jr. during Puckett's Sixth Annual Eight-Ball Invitational at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.

1996

Kirby Puckett shows his form as he bowls in the Bobby Bonilla/Budweiser All Star Bowling Classic in New York City.

1997

Kirby Puckett smiles while steering his fishing boat.

1997

Kirby Puckett smiles for this SI portrait.

1997

Kirby Puckett waves to the crowd from inside a red Corvette convertible given to him by the Twins organization during a ceremony to retire his No. 34, prior to the Twins game against the Athletics in Minneapolis, Minn.

2001

Kirby Puckett drops the ceremonial puck between Minnesota Wild defenseman Brad Bombadir and Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Jaromir Jagr prior to their game in St. Paul, Minn.

2001

Baseball legends George Brett, Nolan Ryan, Yogi Berra, Billy Williams, Joe Morgan, Sparky Anderson, Phil Rizzuto, Kirby Puckett and Johnny Bench chat it up during an event welcoming members of the Baseball Hall of Fame to the White House.

2001

Kirby New Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Kirby Puckett and his son, Kirby, Jr., look at a photo of Jackie Robinson as they tour the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

2001

Kirby Puckett dispalys his plaque during the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, NY.

2001

Newly inducted members of the Baseball Hall of Fame Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett, prepare to toss out the ceremonial first pitch before the 55th annual Hall of Fame Game in Cooperstown, NY.

2003

Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew and Kirby Puckett share a laugh during ceremonies honoring Twins announcer Bob Casey in Minneapolis, Minn.

2004

Derek Jeter shakes hands with Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett on the field during warmups before Game 1 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Twins at Yankee Stadium.