I want to like Yasiel Puig.
His hustle, determination and reckless kid-like play reminds me of my days in Little League.
But the thing is, he’s not in the Little League anymore.
He grew accustomed to being a star in Cuba. It’s a different culture there, and he might have been allowed to do whatever he wanted on the field without facing consequences.
He is no longer the best, though, and respect has to be paid to authority.
Puig was given a pass for undisciplined actions such as missing the cutoff man and reckless base running because he was an MLB rookie and a novice in the American system.
But it’s his second season. He’s two games in, and ESPN reported Dodgers players and coaches are already frustrated with his antics.
After a pair of baserunning errors, Puig got into a spat with veteran Adrian Gonzalez. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Puig blames injuries for missed swings.
It simply looks like the sophomore phenom isn’t trying to become disciplined. He has all the talent in the world, but he knows it and takes that idiom literally.
He thinks he’s the best on the diamond. It’s a good mantra to have, but if it means disrespecting those with longer and more successful careers, it’s time to re-evaluate.
Reach the reporter at logan.newman@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Logan_Newsman
