Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
Coming out of the Chicago South Side housing projects, Kirby Puckett built himself into one of the games most dominant sluggers. By the time he was forced to retire prematurely due to an eye disease, Kirby left a hefty legacy as the Twins' all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles and total bases. The day he put down his bat for the last time, his .319 was the highest career average for an American League righty since Joe DiMaggio. As a nod to the permanent mark he left on the game, Puckett was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Unfortunately, the Twins great passed away five years later from a stroke. This classic Twins jersey dates from the 1993 season in which he hit .296 with 39 doubles, 3 triples and 22 homers, Puckett's usual stellar numbers. What's best is that this very jersey has been photo matched to two images of the Twins great: a 1994 Twins Magazine cover and the 1994 Twins Schedule. Both are included with this lot. The home white pinstriped jersey has "Twins" in red and navy tackle twill above Puckett's number "34" in the same color and material. The jersey has 2 pieces of Velcro added inside the placket between the three buttons below the team name. Russell Athletic label is sewn in the lower left front tail with size "50" and "100% POLYESTER" tagging added. White strip tag in the inside collar denotes his number "34", year "93", and set "2". The left sleeve sports the intertwined "TC" logo in red and navy tackle twill and the right sleeve sports the Russell logo embroidered in red and navy. Back has Puckett's number "34" in large red and navy tackle twill. As would be expected from such a hard working player as Puckett, the jersey exhibits great game use, with various pine tar and turn stains throughout, none large enough to detract from the display quality of the jersey. Letter of Authenticity from Dave Miedema, noted sports jersey expert.