Kirby Puckett Net Worth

Kirby Puckett (March 14, 1960 – March 6, 2006) was an American professional baseball player. He played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career as a center fielder for the Minnesota Twins (1984–1995). Puckett is the Twins’ all-time leader in career hits, runs, and total bases. At the time of his retirement, his .318 career batting average was the highest by any right-handed American League batter since Joe DiMaggio.

Puckett was the fourth baseball player during the 20th century to record 1,000 hits in his first five full calendar years in Major League Baseball, and was the second to record 2,000 hits during his first ten full calendar years. After being forced to retire in 1996 at age 36 due to loss of vision in one eye from a central retinal vein occlusion, Puckett was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, his first year of eligibility.

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Early life

Puckett was born in Chicago, Illinois, and he was raised in Robert Taylor Homes, a housing project on Chicago’s South Side (the escape from which he frequently referred to during his career). He played baseball for Calumet High School. After receiving no scholarship offers following graduation, Puckett went to work on an assembly line for Ford Motor Company. However, he was given a chance to attend Bradley University and after one year transferred to Triton College. Despite his 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) frame, the Minnesota Twins selected him in the first round (third pick) of the 1982 Major League Baseball January Draft-Regular Phase.

After signing with the team, he went to the rookie-league Elizabethton Twins in the Appalachian League, hitting .382, with 3 home runs, 35 RBI, and 43 steals in 65 games. In 1983, Puckett was promoted to the Single-A Visalia Oaks in the California League, where he hit .318 with nine home runs, 97 RBI, and 48 stolen bases over 138 games. After being promoted to the AAA Toledo Mud Hens to start the 1984 season, Puckett was brought up to the majors for good 21 games into the season.

What was Kirby Puckett’s Net Worth?

Kirby Puckett was an American professional baseball player who had a net worth of $3 million at the time of his death. Kirby Puckett spent his entire 12-year career with the Minnesota Twins winning multiple Gold Glove Awards, Silver Slugger Awards, and World Series Championships. He is widely regarded as one of the best center fielders in MLB history.

Net Worth: $3 Million

Date of Birth: Mar 14, 1960 – Mar 6, 2006 (45 years old)

Place of Birth: Chicago

Gender: Male

Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)

Profession: Baseball player

Nationality: United States of America

MLB Career

With the third overall pick in the first round of the 1982 Major League Baseball January Draft-Regular Phase, Kirby Puckett was selected by the Minnesota Twins. He was assigned to their minor league system where he had success and flew through the ranks. He was promoted to the AAA Toledo Mud Hens in 1984 and brought up to the majors for good just 21 games into the season.

Puckett made his big league debut on May 8, 1984, against the California Angels. And within the first few years, he established himself as more than just a singles hitter. He played for the Twins his entire career until 1995 where he won two World Series Championships and an ALCS MVP. Kirby Puckett was a 10-time All-Star, and was recognized for his abilities at the plate and in the field with six Silver Slugger Awards and six Gold Glove Awards. He was the AL batting champion in 1989 and AL RBI leader in 1994. He received the Roberto Clemente Award in 1996.

Puckett was forced to retire after losing sight in one eye when he was 35. He finished his career with a .318 batting average, 2,304 hits, 207 home runs, and 1,085 RBIs. The Twins retired his No. 34, and he was enshrined into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame. Kirby Puckett was a first ballot Baseball Hall of Famer in 2001.

Contracts & Career Earnings

Puckett signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Minnesota Twins in 1990. He was the first professional baseball player to earn $3 million per year in salary. In his previous seasons, Puckett earned $50,000, $130,000, $265,000, $465,000, $1.21 million and $2.05 million.