Yasiel Puig is one of the most intriguing players in baseball. While baseball purists (read: people who haven’t quite realized it’s 2015 yet and that change isn’t always bad) tend to stomp their feet and get beet-red talking about how he doesn’t “play the game the right way,” anyone with a pulse who enjoys fun can find some real joy in Puig’s exuberant approach to the game.
That doesn’t stop him from acting out a bit – hey, even exuberance can spill over in alternate ways. In a 4-1 loss to the Rangers on Monday night, Puig struck out and did his best Bo Jackson impression, breaking a bat over his knee. His reign of terror didn’t stop there. He also shattered a light in the tunnel.
.@yasielpuig went full @BoJackson, broke his bat over his knee after strikeout: http://t.co/nvyfaCuMkz pic.twitter.com/jNoQf6PnPz
— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 16, 2015
After the game, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly had this to say about Puig’s frustrating night, which included three strikeouts, via the AP’s recap of the game.
“I think anyone, obviously, in a big situation, you want to get a hit. He didn’t and reacted,” manager Don Mattingly said. “I’d probably rather see a bat flip than a bat break. I don’t want anyone to injure themselves. That’s the only thing I worry about when slamming helmets or slamming bats.”
Puig is still batting .338 with a .944 OPS on the year, and the 0-for-4 day was his first no-hit game since returning to the lineup June 6. There’s no word yet on whether the injuries sustained to the Louisville Slugger will force it to miss time on the DL.
