Just when it seemed like things just couldn’t get any better for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yasiel Puig proved he’s not completely perfect. It’s not exactly trouble in paradise, but Puig showed up half an our late for L.A.’s game against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and was fined by the team.
Puig also didn’t play on Tuesday night for the Dodgers, who beat the Marlins to improve to 72-53 on the season. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Puig was already out of the lineup for “baseball reasons” before he showed up late, so his tardiness didn’t affect his playing time. Take that with a grain of salt.
Puig says he was caught in traffic and that was probably true, but showing up late without calling ahead is a rookie mistake he’d be wise not to make again. It’s not like the Dodgers are going to do anything to make their money-making superstar upset (he’s hitting .352 with 12 home runs and 28 RBI in 68 games), but they can’t let their young slugger run the show in Hollywood. Here’s to hoping Mattingly and company get a hold of Puig before Magic Johnson‘s ego gives the rookie phenom a call.
