ESPN Classic - Pair share 'Breakfast of Champions'

Friday, August 3, 2001
Pair share 'Breakfast of Champions'
Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS -- A new special-edition Wheaties box commemorates the careers of former Minnesota Twins Kirby Puckett and Dave Winfield, who are being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

The new box unveiled by General Mills on Tuesday honors Puckett on one side and Winfield on the other. It is the first time in the more than 75-year history of Wheaties that two different cover designs have been used on the same package.

Puckett spent his entire 12-year career with the Twins until his playing days were cut short in 1996 when glaucoma left him blind in one eye. He is now an executive vice president with the team. The 10-time All Star led the Twins to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991.

Winfield and Puckett were teammates for two years -- 1993 and 1994. Winfield got his 3,000th career hit Sept. 16, 1993, at the Metrodome -- a single that drove in Puckett. The 12-time All Star is a native of St. Paul who began his career with the San Diego Padres. He delivered the game-winning hit in the 1992 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays. He also played for the New York Yankees, the California Angels and Cleveland Indians and finished his career with 3,110 hits and 465 home runs.

This is Puckett's second appearance on a Wheaties box, in addition to two previous appearances as part of the Twins' 1987 and 1991 world champion teams. It's Winfield's first time on the cereal box.

The Puckett-Winfield boxes are available at stores nationwide.