On October 26, 1991, Kirby Puckett launched a home run in the eleventh inning of Game 6 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves, keeping the Minnesota Twins alive when they faced elimination. Puckett finished that season with a .329 average and 15 home runs, but it was his postseason hitting that cemented his place in baseball history.
The Setup: Minnesota on the Brink
The Twins arrived at Game 6 trailing the series 3-2 to the Braves, who were seeking their first championship since 1957. Atlanta had won three of the first five games, and everything pointed to the Braves’ dynasty of the 1990s being crowned at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. But Puckett, 31 years old and in his fourteenth season, wasn’t about to let it happen.
The Moment: Eleventh-Inning Drama
With the score tied 3-3 in the eleventh, Puckett stepped in against Braves reliever Charlie Leibrandt. The swing was clean and decisive. The ball soared to left field and cleared the wall. The Metrodome erupted. The Twins won 4-3, forcing a decisive Game 7 that Minnesota would win the next day 1-0, with Jack Morris pitching a complete-game shutout in 10 innings. It was the Twins’ first championship since 1987.
Kirby’s Postseason Numbers
| Statistic | 1991 Regular Season | 1991 Postseason |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .329 | .368 |
| Home Runs | 15 | 3 |
| Games Played | 141 | 13 |
| RBIs | 89 | 6 |
Puckett’s October Legacy
Kirby Puckett was a postseason player. Over his career, he appeared in 39 playoff games, and his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most made him a Twins legend. He was a member of two championship teams (1987 and 1991) and won a Silver Slugger in 1989. His Game 6 moment in 1991 wasn’t just a home run—it was the symbol of a team that refused to die.
FAQ
When did Puckett hit his Game 6 home run?
October 26, 1991, in the eleventh inning of Game 6 of the World Series at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.
Who was pitching when Puckett hit the home run?
Charlie Leibrandt, a reliever for the Atlanta Braves.
Did the Twins win the World Series that year?
Yes. They won Game 7 the next day 1-0, with Jack Morris pitching 10 innings without allowing a run.
