Despite rallying the Los Angeles Dodgers into the National League playoff picture and becoming one of the most exciting players in baseball, Yasiel Puig was not voted into the 2013 MLB All-Star Game by fans and has drawn criticism from fellow players for his behavior.
Prickly Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy called Puig "arrogant," and D-Backs catcher Miguel Montero has termed some of Puig's off the field antics "stupid." Puig was reportedly scolded by hitting coach Mark McGwire for being "disrespectful" to former Diamondbacks World Series hero Luis Gonzalez, who attempted to speak with Puig before a recent game between the two clubs.
When asked if he would tone down his exuberance Puig said with certainty that he will not appease anyone else. "That's my game," Puig said. "I'm going to play my baseball the way I play. We don't like the way [Gerardo] Parra plays or the way Montero plays, but we don't go to the press or anybody and talk about how we don't like it, because we're more reserved."
He went on to say that he sees himself as an entertainer as well as a ballplayer, and that he has played with verve his whole life. "I learned to play that way as a kid. I always like to play aggressive and always try to put on a show for the fans. They [the fans] come to spend their time and lose sleep watching us play. It is one, to me, of the more emotional things in baseball."
Dodgers infielder Mark Ellis defended his teammate when he said, "He just gets attacked for no reason. He's a great kid. All he's done is come in here and make our team better. So what if he rubs the opponents the wrong way? I don't care. He's on my team. I couldn't care less if somebody from our division rival doesn't like what he does."
One thing about Puig's play that could concern the Dodgers is the risk for injury. Puig left the Dodgers latest game with hip soreness, but the team doesn't believe the injury is serious. I have to get some treatment tomorrow, but it doesn't really bother me now," Puig said.
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