Does Yasiel Puig dream of electric sheep?
Someday you’re going to wake up. You’ll stir and your eyes will widen and your brain will try to digest what was just imagined.
Because you have to be dreaming right now, right? Players like Yasiel Puig just don’t materialize in real life. Hits every ball with intent for destruction. Runs like chasing down a cheetah. Throws so hard you fear the ball will ignite on reentry.
It’s only been 20 games. I repeat, only 20 games ... but jeez, what a 20 games. Twenty games he can’t hope to keep duplicating, because, come on, even dreams touch on reality.
But thus far Puig continues to live the dream, and the Dodgers along with him. This hulk of talent, this man-child of the major leagues keeps it going, and you best keep going with him, until finally someone throws cold water in your face and sneers, “Get serious.”
After his little three-hit affair Monday night against the Giants, one that included his seventh home run and later the game-winning hit, Puig has managed 12 multi-hit games. I mentioned he’s played only 20 games? Five times he’s had a three-hit game.
“Crazy stuff,” said Manager Don Mattingly.
The Dodgers clearly recognized his talent when they agreed to pay the Cuban refugee $42 million last summer, but he was supposed to be too raw, too young, maybe too wild to be pulling this off.
He is supremely confident -- he struts more than he actually walks -- but even he has to be surprised at his continued success.
“I’m surprising everybody,” Puig said.
He’s a take-your-breath-away player who’s going all Manny Ramirez on the Dodgers, creating a buzz, a sense of anticipation with every at-bat. He is hitting .442, with a .476 on-base percentage and a .753 slugging percentage.
Those are numbers Willie Mays could admire. They are unsustainable, which is not to say they’re not to be absolutely enjoyed as long as this ride continues.
I don’t know if androids dream of electric sheep, but right now, Dodgers fans dream of Yasiel Puig.
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