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Puckett took that two ball-one strike Charlie Leibrant change-up and put it into the seats in left-field for one of the most dramatic homeruns ever. As he circled the bases, fist raised in the air, I knew I had found a man I could admire. It was as if he was larger than life, and at that moment, maybe he was. Puckett was a hero to thousands of kids not only in Minnesota, but all over the country.

At the time, who could argue? Here was a man who looked like he truly loved the game of baseball. He played with a smile on his face. His roly-poly stature and short strides conflicted with the general mold of a baseball player. Truth be told, he was never confused with the general baseball player. He played center-field with reckless abandon. He won batting titles and World Championships. Some people say he single-handedly put the Minnesota Twins on the baseball map.

He was my hero. I have an entire book of baseball cards dedicated strictly to Puckett. If I've ever had an option of wearing a number on a uniform, I'm always sporting #34. Think I'm making this up? Look at my profile under favorite athlete.

Then came the inside fastball from Dennis Martinez. It hit him right in the face. Six months later, he was diagnosed with glaucoma and told he would have to stop playing baseball. Personally, I was crushed. How could someone who loved the game so much have to stop playing, while others seemed like they only swung a bat so they could pick up a paycheck?

Puckett just took it as another challenge. This was a man who had grown up in the Chicago projects. He grew up around drugs, violence, and death and managed not only to survive, but to thrive and succeed. After everything he has gone through, this was nothing.

That's who Kirby Puckett was to me. Even in the face of terrible adversity, he manages to smile and find the silver lining. If you have ever met him in person, he comes off as larger than life. Spend five minutes with the man and all you want to do is spend five more.

It was for these reasons I chose to side with Puckett last year when his wife filed for divorce. She claimed he was a bad husband. I figured she was just looking for some money. She filed charges that he threatened to kill her, then withdrew them later. I assumed she was just trying to get people on her side.

Then earlier this year, when a woman sought an order of protection against Puckett, claiming he was threatening her, I assumed she was just going after a celebrity looking for a payoff. No way would my hero, larger than life Kirby Puckett, ever do something like this ... would he?

Now he's facing more charges. Serious charges, at that. A woman has accused him of abusing her in a public restroom. Puckett once again denies the charges. He's claiming just another gold-digger trying to get a free payoff.

Only this time, I'm not so sure. By nature, I am a pretty trusting person. Hey, it happens one time, maybe it's not true. It happens twice; perhaps it's a conspiracy. Now Puckett is facing legal troubles for the third time in the past year. Maybe he's telling the truth, maybe he is innocent. Maybe the woman is just another evil gold-digger looking for a payoff from a celebrity.

But that's not really the issue for me. I am not debating whether he's innocent or guilty. I realized this week that my hero, the larger than life Kirby Puckett, isn't so larger than life anymore. He was a baseball player. I've always thought of him as a great citizen, although that may be changing very quickly.

But regardless of how great a person he is, or anyone is for that matter, no one is larger than life. We all have our flaws, both public and private. From the construction worker, to the firefighter, to the baseball player, to the President of the United States.

Everyone, even those we put up on a pedestal and refer to as "hero," everyone in the end, is human. I am just sorry it was Kirby Puckett who had to remind me of that.

Random Shots

* Maybe Barry Bonds thought if he watched his homerun long enough, it would count for six more runs.

* Northwestern joins the list of schools complaining about Big 10 referees after losing to Penn State, 49-0. Go ahead, re-read that sentence, just for effect.

* CTS will pay good money to anyone offering the uncensored "Diary: Christina Aguilera." It's for a, uh, a school project.

* Speaking of heroes, CTS refuses to take a shot at Latrell Sprewell while he's down. Actually, CTS refuses to take a shot because every single other joke available has already been used.

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