Yasiel Puig, a Cuban defector and right fielder once hailed as Major League Baseball’s next premiere superstar with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is now exiled to the minor leagues. His fall from grace lands him in Oklahoma City for an indefinite stay.
Puig’s off-the-charts statistical debut and flamboyant, sometimes volatile personality made him an instant star his first two years in Los Angeles. The last few seasons, however, team management found his behavior harder to tolerate as injuries and subpar play have made him a replaceable player.
Replacement is exactly what happened. Los Angeles traded him for Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick and announced Puig’s demotion to its Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Minor League Baseball and road games in Des Moines, Iowa, are probably not what the player imagined for himself after a phenomenal rookie season and all-star appearance in 2014, but Puig at least makes efforts to look like he’s at peace with it. Shortly after joining Oklahoma City, the outfielder posted a series of Snapchat videos of him and his teammates on a party bus as they traveled to face the Iowa Cubs. The clips showed alcohol, group sing-alongs and plenty of exuberance.
Just how long Puig’s stay in Oklahoma City will be is uncertain. The longer, the better as far as local fans are concerned. Bonus points for anyone who can make it into his ongoing Snapchat story.
Speaking of...
More by Gazette staff
-
Shifting forms
Jun 29, 2022 -
The Oklahoma election cycle is always weird but it doesn’t get much weirder than the Oklahoma County Clerk
Jun 29, 2022 -
Nothing says “pro-life” quite like pulling lifesaving first responders like firefighters and paramedics from calls for service so they can be on standby for a publicity stunt.
Jun 29, 2022 - More »
Latest in Commentary
-
Growing up
Jun 15, 2022 -
Beyond willpower
Dec 22, 2021 -
A house divided
Dec 8, 2021 - More »
Follow Gazette!
August 17, 2016 News » Commentary