The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig circled the bases after hitting a home run in Cleveland on Tuesday night, then gestured to a group of Indians fans that they were No. 1. Only he didn’t use his index fingers.
Apparently, Puig didn’t appreciate the Indians fans who didn’t appreciate his homer, which put the Dodgers ahead 2-0 in a game they would win 7-5.
Asked about the incident after the game, Puig didn’t deny a thing to the Los Angeles Times:
“People were talking to me before the home run, and after the home run, they kept talking,” Puig said, via translator. “I reacted that way, and stooped to their level.
“It happened suddenly,” Puig said. “It was something that just came out.”
Puig, whose past issues with focus, inconsistency and demeanor have resulted in everything from a decrease in playing time to a minor league demotion, has been on his best behavior this season – until Tuesday. The Los Angeles Times reports his Dodgers teammates laughed about the “double bird” gesture in the clubhouse following the win.
Still, there’s a strong chance Puig will be hearing from the league office about a fine and/or suspension.
In 61 games this season, he is hitting .239/.313/.418 with 10 homers and 33 RBI.