Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sporting bright red hair, Puig goes 1-for-3 in debut

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Thursday, 01 August 2019 18:15

CLEVELAND -- Yasiel Puig was so eager to make his Indians debut, he forgot to check out his footwear before walking around the clubhouse.

The slugger was wearing Reds flip-flops with his Cleveland workout gear on Thursday, two days after being acquired from Cincinnati in a three-team trade that also included the San Diego Padres.

"My bad," Puig said, laughing. "I came straight to see you guys. You're not going to see that one again."

While his footwear didn't match, Puig's hair was dyed the color of the Indians' red jerseys.

Puig started in right field and hit cleanup for the series finale against the Houston Astros. He went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in a 7-1 loss.

Fellow newcomer Franmil Reyes batted sixth as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout. The Indians are hoping the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Puig and the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Reyes can bring their much-needed power to a team that has closed the gap on the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins.

Reyes came over from the Padres in the seven-player swap that featured Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer going to Cincinnati and Reds elite prospect Taylor Trammell being sent to San Diego.

"With God giving me another opportunity, bringing me to Cleveland, I can make my dream come true with this team," said Puig, who batted .252 with 22 home runs, 61 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 100 games with the Reds. "Keep going, make the playoffs again, fight in the playoffs.

"With Houston, the Yankees, no matter who's coming, we're going to fight and do the best we can like a family and like a team together and win the championship. This team has potential and good players to go to the World Series."

In his final contest with Cincinnati, Puig was part of a wild brawl against the Pittsburgh Pirates that resulted in a three-game suspension. Puig learned of his trade shortly after being ejected; he is appealing his punishment, meaning he can play until there is a resolution.

The 28-year-old native of Cuba said it was difficult to conceal his happiness about joining a playoff contender while he was among his Reds teammates.

"I started laughing, but I didn't want to get too excited, because I needed to respect my [former] team because we lost and were coming back from an altercation," Puig said. "My friends said they needed to buy a new hat and a new jersey, but I said, OK, this is part of the job. We're going to be in a better place."

Free agent to-be Puig said he has been friends with Indians first baseman Carlos Santana and shortstop Francisco Lindor for several years. He was on an MLB-sponsored trip to Japan with Cleveland manager Terry Francona in 2014.

The Indians and Reds share a spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona, so he also is familiar with many other people within the Cleveland organization.

"Everybody is talking about Tito being an amazing manager and an amazing person, so I'm excited to be next to him and to start talking to him," Puig said. "I'm feeling he can help me a lot in these next three months to be a better baseball player and a better person off the field."

Reyes, who hit .255 with 27 homers and 46 RBIs in 99 games with San Diego, has a unique tie to the area. He met his wife, Marian, while playing in a Class A game for Fort Wayne at Lake County, whose ballpark is located in the Cleveland suburb of Eastlake.

The 24-year-old Reyes quickly became a fan favorite with the Padres, and he believes the same will be true in his new home.

"When I got the news, the first thing I told my wife was, 'It's crazy, we're getting back to where we started,'" he said. "So Cleveland is really special for me. I know I'm going to have a lot of love from the city."

Read 471 times

Soccer

Ange: Reaction to angry Spurs fans misinterpreted

Ange: Reaction to angry Spurs fans misinterpreted

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- Ange Postecolgou has said his actions were misinterpreted...

Harry Kane is on a mission to finally end his long personal trophy drought

Harry Kane is on a mission to finally end his long personal trophy drought

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHarry Kane is a man on a mission. Not just for Bayern Munich but al...

UEFA boss: 64-team World Cup plan 'a bad idea'

UEFA boss: 64-team World Cup plan 'a bad idea'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA push to expand the men's 2030 World Cup to 64 teams is "a bad ide...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Man who conned ex-NBA star Howard gets 12 yrs.

Man who conned ex-NBA star Howard gets 12 yrs.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A Georgia businessman who scammed former NBA players Dw...

Rockets' Brooks suspended after 16th tech stands

Rockets' Brooks suspended after 16th tech stands

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHouston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks received an automatic one-gam...

Baseball

Are torpedo bats legal? Here's how they work and facts to know

Are torpedo bats legal? Here's how they work and facts to know

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe opening weekend of the 2025 MLB season was taken over by a surp...

O's expect Henderson to return Friday vs. Royals

O's expect Henderson to return Friday vs. Royals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson is expected to return...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated