The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Newest Cheerleader: Yasiel Puig

Sep 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Batting helmet of Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) in the dugout during an MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Batting helmet of Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) in the dugout during an MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves a new cheerleader. Yasiel Puig, who is in his fourth major league season, joined in on the rookie dress-up day for the Dodgers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were traveling from Miami to New York on Sunday and their rookies participated in a rite of passage. L.A.’s rookies dressed in cheerleader skirts and tops with their first names on the back in glitter. Yasiel Puig partook in the tradition and even posted a video on twitter of him with pom poms cheering for his team along with the newest L.A. team, the Los Angeles Rams.

And the rookies who joined in:

The Dodgers and Yasiel Puig finished their series with Miami with a 3-0 loss on Sunday. On Monday, they begin a series against the New York Yankees. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams open their season on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers.

Puig’s promotion focused on his hitting and fielding, but he’s also bringing a fun, carefree attitude to the clubhouse. Earlier this season, Puig had been a part of a few controversies inside the clubhouse and within his personal life.

Yasiel Puig’s demotion to Triple-A occurred on August 1st.  When notified of his demotion, Puig failed to board the plane to their upcoming series with Colorado. While in the minors, he continued to behave inappropriately according to team president Andrew Friedman’s preferences. Puig was posting videos of parties and inappropriate behavior and language at night clubs.

It seemed that the young Cuban outfielder was never going to be a Dodger again. Still, even after Puig was taken off waivers, there was a question of whether he would be in MLB. But now, it seems he is trying to put all that in the past. Since his return from the minors on September 1, Puig has hit .308/.444/.769 in six games. And now he is the Dodgers’ biggest cheerleader.

Next: Last-Minute Trade for Astros?

Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in first place in the NL West by three games. The San Francisco Giants aren’t far behind and currently hold a Wild Card position. As the playoffs approach, L.A. needs to hold that lead because they play two series against the Giants in September.