A major subplot to this season’s Jackie Robinson Day was the return of Yasiel Puig to Dodger Stadium. Puig was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in December, leaving frayed relationships with some in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in his wake.
When Puig returned to Los Angeles, he showed up late to his own press conference and skipped a National League Championship Series ring ceremony that was attended by all three of his Reds teammates who were also on the Dodgers last year before getting traded.
Puig has also criticized the team and claimed he did not always try his hardest during his time with the Dodgers.
The latter comments agitated manager Dave Roberts, who gave Puig a clean slate when he took over as Dodgers manager in 2016. Some of his past teammates, though, have spoken highly of Puig since his departure.
Furthermore, Puig still acknowledges that he has friends on the current Dodgers roster such as Kenley Jansen, Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson.
However, Puig took a swipe at the greater culture of the Dodgers as a whole, implying that he did not experience very supportive teammates while in Los Angeles. He praised his new Reds teammates for continually supporting and communicating with him, per Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times:
“My teammates continue to support me,” he said. “It’s one of the most beautiful things I have with new team. It’s not just about winning or playing well. There’s support. We’re eating together every day and talking every day in the locker room and on the bus and on flights, on the field, off the field, we’re always communicating well. That’s why I don’t feel as much nostalgia as you would think about not playing for the Dodgers.”
For better or worse, Puig has always been one to candidly speak his mind and be honest. Beyond reflecting on his support — or perhaps lack thereof — from former teammates, Puig was hypercritical of decision Roberts’ made in the World Series.
Puig’s first at-bat against the Dodgers this season was a home run off Clayton Kershaw, which left the three-time Cy Young Award winner wishing the result was anything else. Puig finished with five hits, four RBI and six strikeouts over six games against the Dodgers this season.
