Growing up in northern Iowa (a/k/a the Tundra region of Iowa), I naturally became a fan of the Minnesota Twins.  Probably because it was the only baseball coverage we got on the farm (no dish/cable until I was about to graduate from College).  And especially because the Twins did well for several years.

One of my favorite players was always Kirby Puckett.  Not only was he a good player, but he was polite and entertaining.

It made me sad when he retired and had problems with his vision.  It seemed like a fantastic career cut short before its time.  And now that he has died, it seems even more so.  It's not that he didn't have a full life, but it is that he should have had years to relish in his accomplishments and watch his children grow up.  And, frankly, it is scary that someone so young and who was at one time an athlete can die of a stroke at such a young age.

I may have to dig out my Homerun Hankie tonight and cry.