PHOENIX - Kirby Puckett was listed in critical condition earlyMonday after surgery for a stroke, and the Minnesota Twins asked fansto pray for the Hall of Fame outfielder.
Puckett, who led the Twins to two World Series championshipsbefore his career was cut short by glaucoma, was stricken Sunday athis Arizona home.
A nursing supervisor at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Centerin Phoenix, who declined to give her full name, said early Monday the44-year-old Puckett was in critical condition. She did not provideadditional details.
Puckett had surgery at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn on Sunday, theTwins said from their spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla., andwas later moved to St. Joseph's.
"The Minnesota Twins and major league baseball ask fans to keepKirby and his family in their thoughts and prayers," the team saidearlier in a statement.
Ron Shapiro, who was Puckett's agent, said he had been in contactwith Puckett's family Sunday.
"We're all praying for his recovery," Shapiro said.
"The doctors said that if he has good luck, he'll be all right.You have to keep the faith," former manager Tom Kelly said.
Twins center fielder Torii Hunter sat out Minnesota's exhibitiongame against the Red Sox after learning of Puckett's stroke.
Said manager Ron Gardenhire: "Our hearts and our prayers are allwith Puck. We know it's a tough situation out there."
Puckett, who broke in with Minnesota in 1984, had a career battingaverage of .318 and carried the Twins to World Series titles in 1987and 1991.
Glaucoma forced the Gold Glove center fielder and 10-time All-Star to retire in 1996 after 12 seasons with the Twins when he wentblind in one eye.
Three years ago, he was cleared of assault charges after beingaccused of groping a woman at a Twin Cities restaurant.
Puckett has maintained relationships with many people in theTwins' organization. The team tried unsuccessfully to get him to cometo spring training as a special instructor this year, something hehasn't done since 2002.
Another former Twins great, Tony Oliva, a special instructorduring spring training, said he has been worried about Puckett'sweight.
"The last few times I saw him, he kept getting bigger and biggerand bigger," Oliva said. "And we worried about him. I saw him aboutfive months ago. He always tries to invite me. He says, 'Come toArizona, and we'll play some golf."'
Puckett is divorced and has two children.
AP-ES-03-06-06 0505EST
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