Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Veterans, Don Mattingly Communicate With Yasiel Puig

It’s been arguably the most dramatic week of Yasiel Puig’s big league career as he got a routine night off in Miami, hit the game-winning home run and got fined for being late, all on the same day.

Puig has been criticized for overthrowing cut off men, running into outs and playing with a cocky swagger that hasn’t sat well with media members and players around the league.



However, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, veteran Jerry Hairston sought out Puig to give him some advice and words of encouragement:

A lot of things are happening to him. He’s a superstar at 22. He’s in a new country, a new culture. We are sensitive to that. But if you’re going to be a great player, you’ve got to do the little things. That’s how you win. That’s the key.

Puig has had a rough go of things lately at the plate as he’s four for his last 26 and seems to be falling victim to off speed pitches low and away.

There was also an incident in Miami where Puig reportedly said “f**k the media”, but he was supposedly misquoted via translation. Manager Don Mattingly mentioned in the past about taking the good with the bad and said there has been some difficulty keeping him under control:

He’s an energetic young player with such passion. Sometimes he goes out if control. But it’s never malicious. It’s never, ‘I’m missing the cutoff man because I want to. I don’t want to break this kid’s spirit. I like him playing the way he plays. But like with anybody else, I just want him to play intelligently.

While it could be argued that Puig is being unfairly treated, his success can’t be denied as the Dodgers have turned their season around with him in the lineup.

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In case you missed it, be sure to find out more about Vin Scully returning next season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvk4QbbsI34

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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