March 7, 2006 - Along with the fans, Kirby Puckett's many former teammates are mourning his unexpected death. One of them is Roy Smalley. He played three seasons with Puckett ending with 1987, when the Twins won their first World Series. Roy Smalley remembers that season well, and agrees with the accounts that credit Puckett with leading the Twins to its first championship.
March 7, 2006 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen presents a remembrance of former Minnesota Twins star Kirby Puckett, who died at 45, after suffering a stroke at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. As one of the most popular athletes in Minnesota history, Baseball Hall of Famer Puckett played a dozen years for the Minnesota Twins, leading the team to two World Series championships and winning over fans and teammates with his enthusiastic, fun-loving style of play.
March 7, 2006 - With the unexpected death of former Twins player Kirby Puckett just shy of his 46th birthday, MPR’s regular medical analyst Dr. Jon Hallberg talks about the suddenness and severity of Puckett’s fatal stroke and underscores how serious this health condition can be.
March 13, 2006 - MPR’s Annie Baxter reports on pubic memorial for former Minnesota Twin and Baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett. An estimated 15,000 people gathered inside the Metrodome for a tribute of the star baseball player, who was remembered both for his play on the field and love of life.
March 22, 2006 - Dr. Jon Hallberg, a team physician for the Minnesota Twins, describes various off the field issues in the MLB, including steroid use. Hallberg also details squad’s health at spring training in Fort Myers.
April 12, 2006 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on the Minnesota Twins 2006 home opener, in which the team came back from being down four runs to end game beating Oakland A’s 7-6. A sell out crowd of nearly 49,000 fans attended the opener, which doubled as yet another tribute to former Twin Kirby Puckett who died the month prior. The Twins have dedicated the season to Puckett and is hoping the inspiration can help carry the team to a championship.
April 27, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Sheck reports that after more than seven hours of debate, the Minnesota House gave the go-ahead to a controversial plan for a new outdoor stadium for the Minnesota Twins. By a comfortable 76 to 55 margin the House approved a measure that would allow a Hennepin County to impose a sales tax without voter approval.
May 1, 2006 - La Velle Neal, who covers the Minnesota Twins for the Star Tribune, comments on a brutal road trip for team, leaving behind a 3-12 record. In one three-game stint, the Twins were outscored 33-1.
May 18, 2006 - MPR’s Sea Stachura interviews numerous individuals taking part in the “sport” of Mechwars, a competition that pits homemade robots against other bot creations. Everything from Barbie dolls to gnomes are utilized as weaponry.
May 22, 2006 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports that there's much to do before the new Twins stadium becomes a reality. Hennepin County commissioners must still approve the tax increase...and the county must begin the process of examining the environmental impact of the downtown ballpark.