Don Mattingly, manager of the LA Dodgers, recently responded to Carlos Beltran's assertion that Yasiel Puig was irksome in his celebration. Jayson Stark of ESPN basically said that it's OK for Yasiel Puig to celebrate like that because he's...just...that...good. With all due respect to Mr. Stark (since he makes a living talking a baseball and I do this blog in my spare time at midnight and often from the bathroom because that's the only place that I can get any peace and quiet), I disagree. To an extent.
I, too, will let Yasiel Puig off the hook. But based on logical reasons, not reasons that have to do with a players talent. I am not upset at Puig simply because he's young, immature, and has only been playing half a season at the Major League level. He got overly excited and made a dumb mistake. A mistake you ask? He hit a standup triple! That he did, that he did. Except, if Puig hadn't stood there admiring the ball, he could have had an inside the park home run. There is no doubt he has natural ability and will be a superstar within the next year or two.
