After a month of June that witnessed the debut of Los Angeles Dodgers rookie sensation Yasiel Puig, much attention has swirled regarding whether Puig should be selected to play in this year’s All-Star Game in New York.
In 27 games this season, Puig has batted .443 (44-for-101) with seven home runs and 16 RBI, while posting an OBP/SLG/OPS line of .467/.713/1.180.
His 44 hits in the month of June set a Dodgers franchise record for hits in a single calendar month by a rookie (surpassing Steve Sax‘s 43 in August 1982). In addition, the mark moved him into second place behind Joe DiMaggio (48 in September 1939) for the most amount of hits for a rookie in his first-full calendar month.
Among those who feel as though Puig should not be be given a spot on the National League roster is Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.
In an interview with MLB Network Radio, Papelbon had this to say regarding Puig’s All-Star candidcay:
“To me, it’s an absolute joke,” said Papelbon. “It’s really kind of stupid if you ask me.
“The guy’s got a month, I don’t even think he’s got a month in the big leagues. Just comparing him to this and that, and saying he’s going to make the All-Star team, that’s a joke to me.”
Although Papelbon may be right in his assessment that one month is too short of a period for a player to gain consideration for a spot on an All-Star, regardless of the impressive nature of that given period, the manner in which he made his comments was disrespectful not only to Puig, but also to his fellow “colleagues” as a professional baseball player.
“It’s just really what happens in baseball when…to me it really does an injustice to the veteran players that have been in the game for eight-, nine-, 10-plus years. It kind of does them an injustice because they’ve worked so hard to stay there.”
To be fair, just because a player has been in the league for a long period of time does not necessarily give him the special consideration for a spot on the All-Star squad.
If a player has been performing at a high level of proficiency and is relatively new to the game, then that particular player deserves the recognition that should come his way.
Whether or not Puig is that given player and is a viable candidate to be included on the NL roster is a matter of debate, but the manner in which Papelbon delivered his comments was without a doubt disrespectful.
While he was quick to negate the fact that Puig should be on the NL All-Star Game roster, he was also quick to ignore the talents Puig has displayed over the past month. At least give the guy some credit before tearing down his credibility as a viable All-Star candidate.
As analysts, players, and fans continue to debate this issue, all Puig can do is take the All-Star considerations with a gracious attitude and no expectations, while continue to put on a show for Los Angeles as they look to turn around an inconsistent season.
