Goodbye, Kirby

I disliked him. I mean, his catch in game 6 followed by his 11th inning home run kept my Braves from winning the World Series after their worst-to-first run in 1991. I still have it on video.

My dad used to tell me what it was like to see players like Willie Mays or Willie McCovey or Brooks Robinson play...and how you just know a Hall of Fame player when you see them.

But as a ballplayer, Kirby Puckett was everything you'd want in a Hall of Famer. Now I know what my dad meant. If only more players gave The Game what he gave The Game.

He passed away yesterday at age 44. A stroke.

*me, grabbing the bill of my cap, respectfully tipping it toward the "enemy" dugout*