MLB: Most Hated Players In Baseball Right Now

#4 – Yasiel Puig

When Yasiel Puig hits a home run, he celebrates it. This has made the young Cuban outfielder a controversial player, especially among fans and opponents who believe home runs should be observed solemnly, so as not to offend the pitcher.

Check out one of his many slow home run trots, prefaced by an outstanding bat flip:

Madison Bumgarner (who is himself hated by Dodgers and Athletics fans alike) took issue with Puig’s showboating after the homer. At one point, Dodgers teammates did what they could to convince Puig to play with a little less passion and emotion, but at the end of the day, that’s who he is.

When Puig is playing well, these type of outbursts are more easily forgiven, but he’s struggled to stay fully healthy – in part because he doesn’t heed the advice of those who tell him it’s not necessary to make every spectacular play.

On the other hand, he’s also had some instances in which he didn’t play hard, such as failing to run out ground balls or hit the cutoff man, and has even been benched over those mistakes. It seems like Puig is destined to be hated throughout his career.

Next: The Fiery Young Infielder