Kirby

The challenges of writing an intimate story on Kirby Puckett's last years were many. Says Laurie Hertzel: how do you profile someone who is already dead? how do you profile someone who is recently dead, and whose friends and families are still grieving? how do you profile someone who is recently dead and whose will is still in probate, being contested by fiancee vs ex wife? how do you profile someone who is recently dead and who has been written about endlessly — long magazine pieces, long newspaper pieces, books?

Check out the their series on Kirby Puckett let's talk about this.

"Late on a gray afternoon in April 2003, the door to courtroom 1053 of the Hennepin County Government Center swung open and Kirby Puckett stepped outside.

"With his well-groomed attorneys shielding him from a pack of reporters and photographers, he hustled down the hall. There was no smile, no good-natured banter.

"After a nine-day trial in which he was acquitted of groping a woman in a restaurant men's room, the greatest ballplayer ever to wear a Twins uniform was emotionally whipped.

"On the verge of tears, he rode down the elevator in silence to meet the media.

"Rarely had Puckett struggled to find words. But on this dreary day in Minneapolis, they came hard. As the herd of reporters surrounded him, he spoke softly.

"I just want to go home," he said.