Kirby Puckett

In 2006, as in every year, the sports world lost some of its most beloved athletes and superlative characters, from golfing great Byron Nelson and Negro leagues legend Buck O'Neil to pioneering broadcaster Curt Gowdy...

DAVID ORTIZ Red Sox DH

Kirby Puckett once told me he could die happy in a fishing boat. "I don't go ice fishing," said the former Twins centerfielder, who had otherwise embraced Minnesota life. "I ain't gonna die on no ice. If I'm gonna...

A familiar winner steadies the LPGA

KIRBY PUCKETT came to Minnesota in a happy accident: During the 1981 strike, the Twins' assistant farm director went to watch his son play in a summer league and became so taken with the small outfielder from Triton...