The baseball world was shocked yesterday at the passing of Kirby Puckett. Puckett, a 2001 Hall of Fame inductee, was the catalyst for the Minnesota Twins world championship clubs in 1987 and 1991. ESPN’s Tim Kukjian has a nice article about Puckett’s heroics in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, which is still the most exciting World Series I’ve ever seen. Puckett’s infectious smile and style of play made him a favorite of fans and teammates alike. His career was short-circuited in 1995 when a Dennis Martinez fastball crushed his right eye. He was eventually diagnosed with glaucoma, forcing him into early retirement. Puckett was inducted in the Hall of Fame on his first appearance on the ballot, a testimony to his talent and his respect within the baseball community. At age 45, his life has ended much too soon. We’ll miss ya, Puck.