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Just as Puckett was poised to continue his illustrious career in 1996, tragedy struck. Days before Opening Day, he awoke to find he had lost vision in his right eye, ultimately diagnosed with untreated glaucoma. As a professional athlete, losing one's vision is unimaginable, raising questions about the fragility of life and the abrupt nature of tragedy.
Despite undergoing multiple surgeries aimed at restoring his sight, Puckett faced the harsh reality that his days on the field were over. In a tearful retirement announcement, he expressed deep sorrow at leaving the only life he had known and reflected on the pride he felt in being a Minnesota Twin.