Between 15 and 20 thousand fans were on hand at the Metrodome Sunday March 12 to pay final respects to former Twins great Kirby Puckett. Puckett died the previous Monday after suffering a stroke at his Arizona home on March 5.
Among those on hand to memorialize Puckett were Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr, Harmon Killebrew and Dave Winfield. All three spoke at the gathering that featured video clips from Puckett's playing days, a clip from his appearance on Late Night with David Letterman, music from the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir and a solo by former Twins pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant. Grant sang "What a Wonderful World" said to be Puckett's favorite song. Said Killebrew "Kirby has left with all of us memories that we'll never forget as long as we live. Godspeed Kirby."
Several of Puckett's former teammates from both the 1987 and 1991 Twins attended the service and were seated together on the field including Frank Viola, Tim Laudner, Shane Mack, Dan Gladden, Al Newman and Kent Hrbek. Gladden, Newman and Hrbek also spoke as did former Twins manager Tom Kelly and current Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. Among the current Twins attending were Joe Mauer and Torii Hunter.
Before speaking, Kelly got all the players to stand behind him as he eulogized the Twins late great centerfielder. Said Hrbek "We were the luckiest people on the planet to get to play and watch Kirby Puckett."
The service closed with all the lights in the Metrodome dimmed except for a single spotlight shining on Puckett's #34 jersey in centerfield while a trumpet played "Take me out to the ball game". Kirby Puckett was 45 years old.
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