SR0678 LRB094 19974 HSS 57377 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois
3 learned with regret of the death of Kirby Puckett of
4 Scottsdale, Arizona, formerly of Chicago, on Monday, March 6,
5 2006; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Mr. Puckett was born on March 14, 1960, and grew
7 up in the Robert Taylor Homes, a housing project on Chicago's
8 South Side; he received no scholarship offers, so he went to
9 work after high school on an assembly line for Ford Motor Co.;
10 and
 
11     WHEREAS, The Minnesota Twins drafted him in 1982, and he
12 reached the big leagues on May 8, 1984; he celebrated his
13 arrival by getting four hits against the California Angels; he
14 led the Twins to the World Series in 1987 and 1991, leaping
15 into walls as their center fielder and swinging the bat with
16 power; in the 11th inning of game six of the 1991 World Series
17 against the Atlanta Braves, Mr. Puckett became the ninth player
18 in major league history to win a World Series game with a home
19 run, hitting a change up from Charlie Leibrandt over the
20 outfield wall and pumping his arms in celebration as he rounded
21 the bases; and
 
22     WHEREAS, He was known for his energetic style and the smile
23 he always wore; he often said that he played every game as if
24 it were his last; he is remembered for his ability to make the
25 players around him better and for his winning personality; for
26 several years after his retirement, he continued to work with
27 the Minnesota Twins organization as executive vice president in
28 an ambassadorial role; and
 
29     WHEREAS, On January 17, 2001, he became a first-ballot
30 inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame; he was a 10-time
31 All-Star with a .318 career average and played his entire

 

 

SR0678 - 2 - LRB094 19974 HSS 57377 r

1 12-year career with Minnesota, winning the 1989 American League
2 batting title with a .339 average and claiming six Gold Gloves
3 for his fielding; his 2,040 hits in his first 10 seasons are
4 the most in major league history; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The passing of Kirby Puckett has been deeply felt
6 by many, especially his daughter, Catherine Puckett; his son,
7 Kirby Puckett, Jr.; his fiancée, Jodi Olson, and her son,
8 Cameron; his brothers, Charles Puckett, William L. Puckett, and
9 Ronnie (Melva) Puckett; his sisters, June (Tommy) Sinkfield,
10 Frances Hunter, and Jacqueline (George) Moore; his aunt,
11 Salitha Smith; his lifelong friend, Darryl Hughes; and his many
12 nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; he was preceded in death
13 by his father, William A. Puckett; his mother, Catherine M.
14 Puckett; and his brothers, Donnie and Spencer Puckett;
15 therefore, be it
 
16     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
17 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
18 baseball great Kirby Puckett, and we extend our sincere
19 condolences to his family, friends, fans, and all who knew and
20 loved him; and be it further
 
21     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
22 presented to his family as an expression of our deepest
23 sympathy.