Baseball Hall of Famer, Kirby Puckett has died at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix after suffering a stroke the previous day. He was 44. Kirby had been in the intensive care unit since having surgery at another hospital.

Puckett broke into the majors in 1984 and had a career batting average of .318. He played his entire career with the Minnesota Twins, taking them to two World Series titles, in 1987 and 1991. Unfortunately, glaucoma left the six-time Gold Glove center fielder and 10-time All-Star blind in his right eye, forcing him to retire after the 1995 season. Hit by a pitch that broke his jaw on his last at-bat of the 1995 season, the following spring, Puckett woke up one morning and wasn't able to see out of his right eye. Eventually, he was diagnosed with glaucoma, which forced him into early retirement that July.

Puckett will always be remembered for his outstanding performance in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series against Atlanta. After telling anyone who would listen before the game that he would lead the Twins to victory that night, he jumped up to make a spectacular catch against the fence and then hit a game-ending homer in the 11th inning, forcing a seventh game in the series. The following night, Minnesota's pitcher, Jack Morris, went all 10 innings, outlasting John Smoltz, pitching the Twins to a 1-0 win for their second championship in five years.

Puckett, who was divorced, is survived by his daughter, Catherine, and son, Kirby Jr.