WASHINGTON, March 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Baseball legend Kirby Puckett's death at a nearby hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, brought sadness and fond memories to the Major League Baseball stars gathered Tuesday for the World Baseball Classic.

The Hall of Fame star died Monday after suffering a brain aneurysm in his suburban home. Doctors spent most of the day trying to revive him before officials announced his death Monday night at age 45.

"It was one of the saddest days in baseball to me," New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, a US starter against Mexico in the Americans' Classic opener, told reporters in Phoenix.

"He was a fine example of somebody who was a great player and agreat person."

Puckett spent all 12 of his major league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, hitting .318 with 207 home runs and 1,085 runs batted in from 1984 through 1995. He helped the Twins win the 1987and 1991 World Series crowns, and made 10 consecutive All-Star Game appearances.

But it was Puckett's jovial personality that will be most missed by players, including US and Yankees starting shortstop Derek Jeter, who got to know Puckett by appearing at his billiard tournament.

"It was sad. It was unexpected," Jeter said. "I never got the opportunity to play against him but I got to know him over the years. He said, 'Whenever you need me, I'm here for you.'

"Everybody knows how great he was on the field but what was special is what he did off the field."

Glaucoma forced Puckett to retire in July of 1996.

"I'm terribly saddened by the sudden passing of Kirby Puckett, "Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "Kirby was one of the great players of the 1980s and 1990s. I admired Kirby throughout his career.

"He was a Hall of Famer in every sense of the term. He played his entire career with the Twins and was an icon in Minnesota. Buthe was revered throughout the country and will be remembered wherever the game is played.

"Kirby was taken from us much too soon -- and too quickly."

Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Don Fehr summed up the sorrow for many of those he represents.

"Kirby played the game with such passion and enthusiasm that he was beloved by players and fans throughout all of baseball," said Fehr in a statement. Enditem