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LOS ANGELES – Better late than never.
While Yasiel Puig was coming too late to the Dodger Stadium to receive his National League championship ring, he was just in time to hit a two-run circuit off Clayton Kershaw in his first stick game against his former team.
Puig was greeted with applause as he approached the plate, and fans of the Dodgers chanted his name as he headed the bases.
Puig – who arrived about 70 minutes late at a press conference that was scheduled to start at 3 pm PT – said, in Spanish before the match, that he "might cry" if he heard the supporters of the Dodgers who supported him so ardently during his six-year stay in Los Angeles, were singing again his name before his first match.
"I have not seen the matches, I do not know how many people, how many fans have come here," said Puig about the Dodger Stadium, answering one of the many questions asked in Spanish. "But I'm sure when I played here, there were more fans."
Puig was a key part of the Dodger Stadium from 2013 to 2018, a tumultuous period that began with exhilarating performances, gradually turned into mediocrity and was accentuated by the ends. Puig stimulated the fans with his talent and flamboyance, but often thwarted the members of his organization with his imprudence, which manifested itself both on and off the pitch.
It was therefore normal that Puig missed the ceremony to welcome him, as well as the other former Dodgers involved in the transaction who sent Puig back to the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles. Director Dave Roberts was joined by owner Mark Walter, CEO Stan Kasten baseball operations Andrew Friedman in front of the clubhouse visiting Monday afternoon. Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer received their new jewelry and made small discussions.
"Puig did not survive," Roberts said with an ironic smile.
Puig, Kemp, Wood and Farmer were all greeted with a tribute video before the game on Monday night.
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Roberts, who has had pleasant exchanges with Puig since the transaction, said he was expecting fans to provide a standing ovation to Puig.
"They should, too," he said. "This guy did a lot of things in the community and helped the Dodgers do a lot of good things."
Puig entered the series with a .163 / .200 / .302 oblique line in 45 caps for a Reds team that had won just five times in their first 14 games. But Roberts, who eliminated Kershaw from the injury list to start the game, expects Puig to be in top form this week.
"When he's motivated, motivated, he's a very good player," said Roberts. "That's all the motivation that can be in front of him."
Puig was dazzled very early by posting a .305 / .386 / .502 slash line while displaying an elite defense and contagious energy from 2013 to 2014, a period in which he was part of the world. team of stars and has almost won NL's Rookie of the Year award. From 2015 to 2016, Puig was limited to 183 games. From 2017 to 2018, his slash line fell to .264 / .337 / .490.
At a press conference that lasted about 15 minutes, Puig spoke eloquently of the camaraderie that reigns in the clubhouse of the Reds. He mentioned the young players who constantly ask him questions and seem to admire him. He talked about all the meals they share together and how often they text on the field. He called Joey Votto "the best guy I've ever met in my life". And he hinted, rather strongly, that he did not have enough with the Dodgers.
"It's one of the most beautiful things I have with my new team," Puig said in Spanish. "This support, and to be next to each other every day and talk in the locker room, on the bus, in the plane, on the ground, on the field, we always have good communication, and that's what makes me feel a lot of nostalgia that you might think I would feel for the Dodgers. "
After 40 minutes spent in a silent interview room prior to Puig's press conference, Reds vice president of media relations, Rob Butcher, approached the podium to announce that Puig had not yet arrived, causing a chuckle among the media contingent.
"I do not know what else I can tell you," Butcher said. "I am sorry."
About half an hour later, shortly after the end of Roberts' session in the dugout at home, Puig arrived in the interview room wearing a black t-shirt in honor of Jackie Robinson. A Spanish-speaking journalist told him that the media was waiting for him.
Puig will collapse on his shoulders.
"I hoped that they would all leave."
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