This seems more appropriate up here. Touch 'em all.
We moved here in 1984 from Ypsilanti, MI and I started out a Tigers fan. I can still name the entire starting lineup of that '84 championship team - not bad seeing as I was 7 at the time.
But as much as I tried to remain a Tigers fan in the subsequent years, there was just no resisting the pull of Puck and the Twins for a young boy in Minnesota in those days. I remember Twins Fest 1987 and me and dozens of other kids on the floor at the Dome pretending to pull back homeruns up against the wall in CF. I had a hamster named Kirby (similarly shaped and with better patience but minimal range in the field). I joked with my brothers (after he nailed a guy at the plate during that other-worldly weekend in Milwaukee) that we'd be better with Puck pitching from CF than with some of the guys we ran out there.
Boyhood heroes are for just that - boyhood - but there is a certain... sadness? Be it for Kirby or be it for the idea of boyhood heroes in general.
Probably both.

Kirby was largely the reason that Moss became a die-hard Twins fan in the mid-80s. Moss was probably one of the few who remembers listening to Puck's first game against the Angels -- four hits for the slender CF. Moss recalls that there is some story about how he had no cab money to get to the game, but somehow made it. Typical Puck -- didn't necessarily have what it took, but still got the job done.

Puck is the one and only pro athlete that Moss has asked for an autograph.

Moss was a teen and was in the Dome when the Twins won the '87 series. Best sports moment ever for Moss. Puck wasn't sensational in that series, but they wouldn't have been there without him. The heart and soul of the '87 and '91 championship clubs.

Moss is not so much a die-hard fan anymore, but that has nothing to do with Puck. Puck is still Moss' favorite athlete in terms of enjoyment and entertainment. One of Moss' saddest sports moments was finding out that Puck had to retire. Today is even more sad.

I am a Twins fan today because of Kirby Puckett. I am truly saddened by the death of one of the heros of my youth. I can vividly recall checking the newspaper each day to check out Puck's standing in the hits or RBI race. Not only could Puck hit for average and power, but some of my favorite memories are the leaping catches in centerfield. Touch 'em all Kiiiiirby. You will be missed by this Twins fan.

According to Retrosheet, those two games you watched were probably May 2 and 3, 1986 - Pucket homered in the first inning off of Jack Morris in the May 2 game, then homered again in the first inning off of Walt Terrell in the May 3 game.

My condolences go out to everyone who will miss Kirby Puckett.

--
David Wintheiser

It was definitely in May 1986. Those are the two games.

One hell of a ballplayer. We'll miss you.

Moss--

Just wanted you to know that I remember listening to Kirby's first game, too, and how he immediately became my favorite Twin. He was one of a kind.

When I came home from work and when I checked ESPNews as soon as I came home just to see how he is doing, I read about his death in the ticker. I was floored, sad, and upset. I literally cried just hearing the news. I rarely ever cry literally when an athlete dies, but I cried this time because Kirby was a huge influence in my life as I was following sports. He and Darryl Strawberry were two of my favorite baseball players when I became a baseball fan in 1991 as a 11-year old kid. He was one of my favorite athletes that I ever watch as a sports fan. If you ask me who was my favorite athletes of all-time, it was Kirby and Michael Jordan. I just love the way both guys were able to perform with the pressure on. I just admire Kirby for the way he went with his business and for the class that he showed on and off the field. He was a special player and a special human being. He was a great story. I was very lucky to watch him like most Twins fans that grew up watching him . Most baseball fans that saw him play were very lucky. This death really hit me along with the Twins fans in Minnesota and nationwide. I am just shocked. I thought he would beat this.

To say that Kirby provided lot of great moments is an understatement. He was bigger than life for sure. He did lot of great things for the state on and off the field. When you think of Minnesota and the Twins, you think of Kirby. You think of what he meant to the franchise and to the state. You think of what he did in coming through in big games. He always talk the talk and walk the walk. He got it done. He wasn't scared. He just had the confidence that he could get it done. That's what made him endear himself to the fans, his teammates, his coaches, and to the media locally and nationally. He just knew what to do. He never was scared.

He was not only a great player, but he was a special person. He related well to the fans. He enjoyed being around them. I can't say enough about how he loved being with the kids. He would make them smile. He would sincerely talk to them in a down-to-earth manner. He just love being around them. You can sense that he wanted to be close to the kids. He devoted a lot of his money to charities and for underpriviledge kids. He would buy tickets for kids to go to the games and they had great seats. His actions in the community is why every fan loved him.

Rarely ever you see athletes conduct themselves with class and dignity nowadays no matter what level of sports they are in. Kirby was just different. He won with class. He acted with class. He played with a smile on his face. He was a guy that clearly enjoyed playing a kids game. He was just well-liked. His teammates loved him out there. He was willing to talk to everyone on the team. The opposing players from other teams have nothing but great things to say about him. That says a lot about him. You don't see fans from other teams hating Kirby either. Just reading other message boards like NYYFans.com, Son of Sam Horn (Red Sox board), and such, those fans had nothing but great things. They appreciated what he did in baseball. It was not just Twins fans that appreciated him, but it was baseball fans nationwide that appreciated him for what he did.

Just watching SportsCenter later edition in the overnight, I was just in tears again as ESPN showed montage of Kirby's accomplishments as a player. That is something to remember for sure. It sure brought me memories when I watched him as a kid. I had a smile in my face just looking over em.

He will be missed for sure. It's been tough for the organization and the fans. First, we lost a great friend in Bob Casey last year. Now, Kirby. Kirby's death clearly has shocked the state of Minnesota for sure and with good reason. No one thought he would die this quickly. He died very young. His death should remind us that tommorow or next month or next year is no gurantee. I recalled Kirby's speech to the fans when the Twins honored him years ago about how we should enjoy life and appreciate each day. That speech clearly should be applied more than ever with people dying at a fast rate. Be thankful for your good blessings.

Kirby is definitely going to live an eternal life for sure. God is definitely waiting for him and I know Bob Casey is clearly waiting for him too. He is going to safe place.

I speak for most Twins fans in which I am very thankful for giving the Twins two World Series Championships. I thank him for entertaining Minnesotans for years with his play and his community work. He was not only an icon in Minnesota, but an icon in baseball nationally.

He was clearly one of us.

RIP, Kirby.

It's sad of Kirby's passing and I'm sure its a struggle for all who are so famos.

I saw on the news yesterday a cool painting of Kirby is being made, not sure it might be for the Twins.
It was sure great to watch him play always so excited and giving 100%, thanks Kirby for the memories.

Life Size Painting of Kirby Puckett