A Curious Case for Kirby

[Crackin' Wax]

Hello again fellow Twins fans! After becoming a member of these forums, I was overcome with a sense of nostalgia which prompted me to scour through my blog, "Crackin' Wax," for some older Twins posts I had written.

 

One of my favorite Twins posts of the past have to do with Kirby Puckett and the lack of merchandise bearing his name and/or likeness since his passing. "You can make a great case that it would be a rare sight to see a brand new baseball card of a man that has not only been retired from the game but who has also been deceased for six years. You could make another great case that it would be a typical sight to see a brand new baseball card of a man that was one of the biggest contributors to baseball in the late 80s and early 90s, was a two-time World Champion, has made ten All-Star appearances, has won six gold gloves, has won six silver sluggers, has won a batting title, has had his number retired, and was a first ballot Hall of Famer. Topps features former players of this caliber throughout nearly every single one of their products, so it would not at all be uncalled for or strange to see Kirby cardboard each year.

But when was the last time you saw a brand new Kirby Puckett baseball card?"

 

READ MORE...

 

Of course, it's not all about baseball cards. When was the last time you saw so much as a jersey with his name on it? Sure, you can find a Twins shirt with "34" on it, but not "PUCKETT." "The hunt was on for any licensed Puckett shirts or jerseys. There were plenty of old, used and beaten mesh tops and replica jerseys from the early 00s floating around the ‘bay. What I found strange, however, was how very little the official online Twins shop carried in the way of Puckett memorabilia and clothing. In fact, the only licensed item they carried was a Hair-itage t-shirt produced by Nike."

 

I'm curious to read your thoughts on this subject and perhaps some of you will be able to shed a little light on this case for Kirby. Please remember, the original piece was written in late June of last year so things may have changed since. Thank you all for your time and, of course, GO TWINS!

[John Bonnes]

Perhaps this is a good thing - the number 34 is just so associated with Puckett in people's minds that to have a name is redundant, or uncool - it makes you look like a newbie?

 

But that shirt thing does seem weird.

[Crackin' Wax]

Perhaps this is a good thing - the number 34 is just so associated with Puckett in people's minds that to have a name is redundant, or uncool - it makes you look like a newbie?

 

But that shirt thing does seem weird.

 

Good point, but who ever said I was cool?

[nicksaviking]

Actuallly my wife got me a Puckett jersey (with name) some years ago. I don't know much about liscencing rights but it's a Majestic brand and the tag says Classic Collection. I've seen others too, mostly the classic powder blue retro version. Mine is the dark blue road jersey.

[Crackin' Wax]

Actuallly my wife got me a Puckett jersey (with name) some years ago. I don't know much about liscencing rights but it's a Majestic brand and the tag says Classic Collection. I've seen others too, mostly the classic powder blue retro version. Mine is the dark blue road jersey.

 

Do you happen to remember how long ago that was?

[nicksaviking]

I'd say about five years ago.

[Crackin' Wax]

I'd say about five years ago.

 

That fits into the time frame when the last officially licensed Puckett items were legally produced. Is there a manufacturing date/year on any tags that you're aware of?

[fairweather]

It's simple the Twins don't want people thinking about Puckett because he was capable of leading a team to a championship and #7 isn't. They don't want the past around reminding everyone how inadequate or current "leader" is.

[nicksaviking]

That fits into the time frame when the last officially licensed Puckett items were legally produced. Is there a manufacturing date/year on any tags that you're aware of?

 

Not that I'm aware of.

[Crackin' Wax]

UPDATE:

 

I was in the Minnetonka area today and decided to stop by the Twins Pro Shop there. I asked the employee (possibly manager), Aaron, why I never see any Puckett items in the Pro Shops. He explained that Kirby's ex-wife/widow, Tonya Puckett (now Tonya Miller), is not allowing licensing of his likeness in any manner. As for why Puckett jerseys are not on shelves and racks but are on fans' backs, the Pro Shops can create those Puckett items via a legal technicality. Upon request, they can design a jersey or shirt with any number and name the customer chooses. The idea is that the customer would use their favorite number and their last name. There is nothing stopping someone from using the name "Puckett" and using the number "34" to create these custom items.

 

A point that I brought up to Aaron at the 'Tonka shop is that it's a shame that the former Mrs. Puckett does not set up a charitable organization to which proceeds of any Puckett licensed materials would go. This would encompass licensing from clothing manufacturers such as Majestic and trading card companies such as Topps.

 

While I feel that there is more to this story, this may be the closest I'm going to get to the real answer short of hearing it from Tonya herself.