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12.01.2020 13:51
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LOS ANGELES -- The newest hot, young thing in Los Angeles is a guy you cant take your eyes off of. Hes well-built, with a winning smile and engaging personality. He doesnt say a lot, preferring to let his performance speak for him. Hes getting rave reviews, and is a hit on the Internet. Hollywood isnt after him yet, but if Yasiel Puig keeps this up, opportunities will surely come calling. Fittingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie plays for a team co-owned by Magic Johnson, a guy who knew a thing or two about showmanship and style during his NBA days. The 22-year-old right fielder (say Yah-SEE-el Pweeg) has shown plenty of both while creating a buzz that had been missing at Chavez Ravine so far this season. Puig was batting .464 with a .964 slugging percentage going into Monday nights game against Arizona. His first week in the majors was a memorable one, with 13 hits in 28 at-bats, four home runs and 10 RBIs in his first seven games since coming up from the minor leagues. He was named NL player of the week on Monday. Puig electrified the last-place Dodgers with a multi-homer game and a grand slam, and helped them to four wins in seven games, big for a club with a $215 million payroll that has greatly underperformed. "As long as the team is pulling together, Im happy to be a part of it," he said in Spanish through a translator. Manager Don Mattingly loves Puigs personality and enthusiasm for the game, evident by the way he runs hard, whether its to take up his position in right field or charge around the bases. "Its just infectious the way he plays," Mattingly said. "Seems like theres a joy in his game. Its the way youre supposed to play. He just looks so fresh." Puigs splashy debut and the ensuing excitement its created have drawn comparisons to Manny Ramirezs arrival in Los Angeles in July 2008. The following month, Ramirez hit .415 with 25 RBIs, nine home runs and 21 runs scored as a section of left field became "Mannywood." He finished fourth in voting for the NL MVP award that season. Eventually, the good times ended when he was suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs. "Id seen Manny play and knew what he could do," said Mattingly, then a Dodgers coach. "But this cat is a different animal. The more you see it the more you believe it." Puigs talent and the lift hes given to the injury-riddled Dodgers remind some of Angels star Mike Trout and Washington left fielder Bryce Harper, whose breakout seasons boosted their teams. With centre fielder Matt Kemp and left fielder Carl Crawford on the disabled list, the Dodgers called up Puig from Double-A Chattanooga on June 3. Mattingly put him in right field and had him batting leadoff. Puig turned heads with an amazing throw in the ninth inning of his first game. He caught the ball near the wall and fired a line drive to first base that doubled off the startled runner to end the game with a double play in a 2-1 victory. The next night, Puig hit two home runs in a 9-7 win. He came down to Earth last Wednesday with an 0 for 4 night that included two strikeouts. But he bounced back the following night with the grand slam, inducing Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, whos seen plenty of remarkable feats, to proclaim, "I dont believe it!" Puig became just the third player since 1900 with three homers in his first four career games, according to information provided to the Dodgers by Elias Sports Bureau. Oh yeah, he homered again last Friday. Puigs ability to speak English is limited, and Mattingly was asked how he communicates with the rookie during games. "I dont have to communicate, just kind of go," Mattingly said, smiling and putting his hands together in a clapping gesture. Puigs exploits last week drew four curtain calls. Actor and fellow Cuban Andy Garcia came to check him out. The Dodgers rushed T-shirts and jerseys with his No. 66 into production and had them for sale late last week. "Im very happy because the fans are wearing my T-shirt and saying my name," he said. Even if some of his teammates arent quite sure how to pronounce it. Count Skip Schumaker among them. "Theres a different energy from the Cuban," the second baseman said. "Hes just been amazing for us and it feels like something is going to happen every time he comes up." Puigs five-tool skills have dazzled Dodgers fans, who cheer for his speed, power and strong throwing arm. His at-bats are must-see baseball, no matter what the score of the game. Hes a free swinger, whether hes putting the ball in play, fouling it off or taking a strike. "Hes up there with an intent to do damage," Dodgers pitcher Ted Lilly said. Each time Puig comes to the plate, he pauses on the edge of the grass and uses the tip of his bat to draw a cross in the dirt. "Just giving thanks to God for all the good things hes doing for me," he said. One week is too soon to tell whether Puigs impact will be a lasting one. "Well see how he does six or eight weeks into the season, see what kind of adjustments people make to him and he makes to them," Atlanta pitcher Tim Hudson said. Rookies often slump when they face pitchers a second and third time during the season. Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke cautions, "Its early so well see how it keeps going. You dont want to give someone too much credit too soon." The Dodgers gave Puig a lot of money even though only two of their scouts had even seen him. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder signed a $42 million, seven-year contract last June, a record for a Cuban defector. He received a $12 million signing bonus and is making $2 million this season. Puig is the first Cuban to play for the Dodgers since pitcher Danys Baez in 2006 and the first position player since Zoilo Versalles in 1968. He lives in Miami, where he bought a house for his parents and 17-year-old sister, all of whom attended his big-league debut last week. Puigs first week heroics may have taken fans by surprise, but the Dodgers knew what he was capable of. They saw his talent in spring training with the big-league club, although he was sent down to start the season, with the front office hoping he could learn the game and hone his hitting away from the spotlight. Attention found Puig in April when he was arrested for driving 97 mph in a 50 mph zone in Chattanooga, Tenn. On the field, he was hitting .313 with eight homers and 37 RBIs in 40 games before getting called up. Puig has seemingly adjusted well in the clubhouse, where his corner locker is located between fellow Spanish speakers Luis Cruz and Adrian Gonzalez, whose fatherly advice for the rookie was "just be yourself." "Hes an energetic guy, eager to get on the field, loves the game, always has a big smile on his face," Gonzalez said. "This isnt something hes not prepared for." Taped above Puigs locker is a photo of a Hanley Ramirez bobblehead with Puigs face superimposed on it. Ramirezs name has been crossed out and Puigs written in. As he goes out in Los Angeles to search for his beloved Mexican food, Puig is getting recognized and gladly signs autographs for all comers. "Im really happy that Im living my dream," he said. Calgary Flames Store . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. Flames Jerseys 2021 . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. https://www.cheapflames.com/ . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Wholesale Flames Jerseys . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Flames Jerseys 2020 . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- For Hope Solo, the firsts keep coming.On Saturday, barring anything unusual, Solo will appear in her 200th game for the U.S. womens national team in a group stage match against France at the Rio Olympics. Shell be the first goalkeeper in history to reach the milestone in international play -- no small feat.It also will make her the 11th U.S. player -- across all positions -- to reach that number of caps.As a goalkeeper, I think shes the best one in the world, France coach Philippe Bergeroo said. Shes always good for the U.S. even when the team is in difficult times.The 200th cap is just the latest notable statistic for Solo in a long, illustrious and always interesting career.Last month, Solo became the first goalkeeper with 100 international shutouts when the United States defeated South Africa 1-0 at Chicagos Soldier Field. It was also her 150th career win.About a year ago, Solo won her second straight Golden Glove Award for the best goalkeeper at the Womens World Cup, which the United States won. Over the course of the tournament in Canada she had five clean sheets and allowed just three goals in seven games.And just earlier this week, 16-year national team veteran got her 101st shutout when the United States defeated New Zealand 2-0 in the teams Olympic opener in Belo Horizonte.Hope is obviously such an experienced player. And having been through so many world tournaments -- the limelight, the pressure, and the focus thats on you -- its an incredible resource to have her back there, U.S. defender Meghan Klingenberg said. Its also a safety net we fall back on: We try to make things as easy as possible for her, but we know that we have someone who is world class in the next behindd us.dddddddddddd.Along the way shes vocally advocated for womens rights. Solo was among the U.S. players who filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for wage discrimination, saying the mens national team players have been paid much more than many on the womens team, which for years has out-performed the U.S. men on the international stage.More recently, shes called for better conditions for players in the National Womens Soccer League.But the former Dancing with the Stars contestant has also seen her share of controversy -- and the Rio Games have been no exception. She riled some Brazilians when she posted photo of herself decked out in mosquito netting and armed with insecticide, with the caption: Not sharing this!!! Get your own! (hashtag) zikaproof.As a result, fans at the group stage opener in Belo Horizonte booed her every time she touched the ball, and at one point jeered her with chants of Zi-ka! Zi-ka!Im glad the fans had fun, Solo said following the game. And if they had fun at my expense, more power to them.For now, all that drama is outside noise. The focus for the U.S. is winning a fourth straight gold medal in the sport. The Americans are also vying to be the first team to win at the Olympics after winning the World Cup.Hope Solo is solid when it comes to focusing on the games. Shes 100 percent focused on the games, Klingenberg said. Regardless of what happens -- regardless of the cheers, the chants, whatever -- I know shes focused on what shes here to do. And thats to be goalkeeper for the United States and play the best that she can. ' ' ' |
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