The Lightning Guest
Chronicles of Puigmanía
Last night, in his final plate appearance of June, Cuban Yandy Díaz recorded an inside-the-infield single. It was his 40th hit in his 100th at-bat of the month, giving him a .400 average. No Cuban had hit .400 or higher with at least 100 plate appearances in a June since Yasiel Puig did it for the Dodgers in 2013. Before Puig, no other Cuban had crossed the .400 line. So it was inevitable to remember that June of 2013, when “Puigmanía” became an inspiration for many baseball fans.
Before this trip, I want to tell you about the three greatest memories I have of Yasiel Puig playing baseball in Cuba. I saw him play many times, ever since he arrived in the National Series in the 2008-2009 season, and he quickly made a splash. Puig was always the same aggressive, defiant player. He always wanted more than any game situation offered him. He had the same ability to be astute in achieving a great play as he was risky in unexpectedly ruining it.
It all stemmed from one reason: at any cost, he left nothing for another moment. Not even the opportunity to swing at the pitcher, trying to challenge him. Nor did he fail to look for an extra base, even if the opportunities were minimal. Nor did he fail to throw from the outfield to a base to chase a double play, even if the odds weren't in his favor.
These were the three memories that stayed with me. In each of these scenarios, Puig walked the tightrope and converted them in his own time. The burst of potential based on wild runs stayed in my memory, beyond the batting pieces sculpted by his swing. I think that was the difference between Puig's adventures and everything else.
Memory Number 1: The Lightning Doesn't Stop
It was Friday night. Industriales were playing Cienfuegos in the first game of a three-game weekend series at the Latinoamericano Stadium. Wearing number 14 on his uniform, rookie Yasiel Puig was announced over the local PA system to bat. He was the leadoff and left fielder on a Cienfuegos team that also featured figures like José Abreu and Erisbel Arruebarena, who years later would play alongside Puig in the majors.
Left-hander Rigoberto Arrebato was the pitcher for Industriales. Puig struck out in his first two plate appearances. In his next four during Cienfuegos' 8-2 victory, he went 4-for-4! So he finished his first night at the “Colossus of the Hill” 4-for-6, scoring three runs. Puig got his first hit in the third inning and quickly stole second base.
His leap surprised Arrebato, who was starting the windup and had no choice but to throw toward the plate. But the classic Yasiel Puig moment came in the top of the ninth with bases loaded and one out. Right-hander Ebris Pablo Martínez was pitching for Industriales. Puig hit a hard ground ball that crossed third base at lightning speed. The ball quickly traveled deep into left field. Unusually, first baseman Alexander Malleta was playing there. Malleta started the game at his natural position, first base, but in the fifth inning, he moved to left field in a defensive change by manager Germán Mesa.
Malleta hadn't played in the outfield for several years. He quickly went after the ball anyway, but when he tried to make a catch, it bounced off the bullpen mound. The ball bounced, Malleta couldn't stop it, and it continued traveling to the outfield corner. Now, what I'll never forget was Puig's run, who looked only once toward left field. It was precisely when Malleta couldn't block the ball. Puig didn't stop again. He circled the infield with the complete conviction that he would reach the plate for an inside-the-park home run. And so it was. Malleta couldn't get there in time to return the ball to the infield. The score was 7-2. No one was going to stop the lightning.
Memory Number 2: He doesn't believe in fake-outs
Those who were at Santiago “Changa” Mederos Stadium that afternoon will never forget it. Puig hit a thunderous ball down the left field foul line. The ball coughed as Puig's wild hand-whirling pulled furiously. The next thing seemed unacceptable. Left fielder Eliu Torres picked up the grounder. At that moment, Puig was approaching second base.
Most National Series runners would have raced ahead to get past second base, but they'd have to see what options remained. These are the usual calculations and the kind of strategy runners use. But this is Yasiel Puig, the tornado who doesn't believe in stoplights or fakes. Torres let it be known that he had the ball, as if inviting Puig to reason about his slim chances of reaching third base. But really, Puig knew what he was doing. He was sure his speed would be enough to get him to third base, and also that Eliu's arm power wasn't a threat. He indulged himself by running, facing Eliu's fake, and he made it safely. Puig didn't believe in fakes!
Memory Number 3: The Cat's Leap
There are hits that, when you hear the bat crack and the ball starts to fly, you never imagine it could be swallowed up by a fielder. But there are hits into Yasiel Puig's forbidden territory, and this is what seemed to happen: