Be the Best You Can Be [Hardcover]

Kirby Puckett (Author), Tim Houle (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

A picture-book autobiography by the great center fielder (1960 - 2006) from the Minnesota Twins. Puckett describes highlights of his career and simultaneously admonishes readers to believe in themselves; be good people; and stay away from troublemakers, drugs, and tobacco. The book is handsomely designed, with both full-color photographs and watercolor paintings featured prominently throughout the text. A brief list of career highlights appears at the end of the book, along with "Kirby's Extra Innings," 10 pointers on leading a good life. 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-A picture-book autobiography of a current star of the Minnesota Twins. Puckett describes highlights of his career and simultaneously admonishes readers to believe in themselves; be good people; and stay away from troublemakers, drugs, and tobacco. While bordering on the didactic, this advice comes from an athelete who seems to practice what he preaches. The book is handsomely designed, with both full-color photographs and watercolor paintings featured prominently throughout the text. A brief list of career highlights appears at the end of the book, along with "Kirby's Extra Innings," 10 pointers on leading a good life. The book's format and the age of the intended audience limit the amount of information that is presented, making it somewhat similar in factual content to David Adler's picture-book biographies. Because of the ball player's popularity in the Midwest, libraries in that area will want to consider this title for purchase.
Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Kirby Puckett (1960–2006) was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire major-league career with the Minnesota Twins from 1984 to 1995. Puckett led the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, the only two world championships for the franchise since their move to Minnesota in 1961.

Puckett's gregarious personality and dynamic style of play endeared him to fellow players and fans alike. He is the Twins franchise's all-time leader (1961-present) in career hits, runs, doubles and total bases, and his .318 career batting average was the highest by any right-handed American League batter in the second half of the 20th century.

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 one of only two to record 2,000 hits during his first ten full calendar years. After being forced to retire at age 35 due to loss of vision in one eye from glaucoma, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 in his first year of eligibility.

With his box of crayolas beside him, Tim’s pursuit of an art career began at an early age. During his high school years countless hours were spent in front of the easel and drawing board before entering the College of Visual Arts located on St. Paul’s historic Summit Avenue. After graduating with a BFA degree in illustration, Tim began his career as a commercial Illustrator which has lasted for the past 15 years until his decision to put that all aside and pursue a career in the field of fine art. In 2002 Tim started his own publishing company which promotes and distributes his work. Tim is a versatile artist, working in oils, charcoal, pencil, and pen and ink. His limited edition prints are catching the attention of collectors and his original oil portraits have long been popular with pet owners and professional breeders alike. His dog portraits hang in homes throughout the country. Tim’s exceptional ability to capture the essence of his subjects whether they be animal or architectural stems from an intense love of animals and a mastery of anatomy learned through years of observation and being a lifelong St. Paul resident has given him a fondness and familiarity with the subjects of architectural landscapes.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Waldman House Press; 1st ed edition (May 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0931674204
• ISBN-13: 978-0931674204
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 11.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,377,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A true sports hero with a good message, November 14, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be the Best You Can Be (Hardcover)

I'm a Minnesota girl (well, I think of myself as a girl) and as a Minnesota resident comes our history with our professional sports teams. The Minnesota Twins and Kirby Puckett are a part of our history. And Minnesota residents loved Kirby Puckett.

Kirby Puckett: Be the Best You Can Be is Kirby's story from childhood to his illustrious career as a centerfielder for the Minnesota Twins. But it's more than his life story. It's about believing in yourself, never giving up, accepting who you are and working hard for what you want. What a powerful message!

Also included are the highlights of Kirby's baseball career and messages of hope for kids. He talks about helping others, believing in yourself, mistakes, education, fun, saying no to drugs, etc.

Kirby recently died. What I carry with me when I think about Kirby is his loyalty to the Twins, and all of Minnesota. He could have played for other clubs that would have paid him much more than he made in Minnesota, but he didn't. That's integrity.

The message in Kirby's story is as fresh and valuable as it was when the book was first published in 1993.

Armchair Interviews says: Kirby Puckett: Be the Best You Can Be, is a tribute to a special Minnesota sports hero