The legend of Hall of Fame outfielder Kirby Puckett in Twins Territory continues to grow.
According to CBS, Major League Baseball and the Minnesota Twins have teamed up to offer free eye exams to children and adults – and they’re doing so with the Kirby Puckett Mobile Eye.
The mobile vision center made its debut last week during All-Star FanFest at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Wednesday was the first day fans were allowed inside the mobile center for free screenings.
Puckett’s children, Catherine and Kirby Puckett Jr., have been helping spread the word about the free exams.
Puckett’s career was cut short after being diagnosed with glaucoma in his right eye. The disease took the vision from his eye and forced him to retire at the age of 35.
“He lost his career early on due to his vision, so we want people to be able to have a future with their vision,” Puckett Jr. said. “So this is the thing that’s going to help people have a good future.”
The exams are free because the mobile center operates on 100 percent donations.
Before his death in 2006, Puckett became a public voice for eye health awareness. According to Allina Health, Puckett said glaucoma “catches you without warning…I am going to work to educate those at risk because early detection and treatment is the key.”
Puckett was a 10-time All-Star, won six Gold Gloves, six Silver Slugger Awards and was a hero in the 1991 World Series. In his final season in 1995, he hit .314 with 23 home runs, 39 doubles and 99 RBIs. He had an impressive 167 hits in just 137 games played.
Click here for a full schedule of where Kirby Puckett Mobile Eye will be throughout the summer. It will frequent county fairs and large city events in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
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Puckett was also recently honored when a street outside of Target Field was named after him – just like a street previously was near the Metrodome.
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