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Yasiel Puig’s Top 10 Plays In Dodgers Career

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ recent trade with the Cincinnati Reds marked the end of an era, as it sent Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer to Cincinnati for Homer Bailey and prospects Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray.

All four players were great Dodgers, but perhaps no one represented the organization more since he debuted in 2013 than Puig. The Wild Horse had his ups and downs in his time with the Dodgers, but the one thing he always did was play as hard as humanly possible while entertaining the fans like no other player could.

As Puig now embarks on his new journey with the Reds, we ranked his 10 most-memorable moments with the Dodgers.

10. Last home run with the Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2018 World Series

Puig’s last home run as a Dodger was a memorable one as he hit a three-run shot off Eduardo Rodriguez in Game 4 of the World Series to give Los Angeles a 4-0 lead. Unfortunately, the bullpen was unable to hold onto that lead though and the team lost the series 24 hours later, but majestic bat flips like this one are one of several things Puig will be remembered most for.

9. Walk-off double against White Sox and World Series guarantee in 2017

The 2017 season was a historic one for the Dodgers, with every player coming up with a big hit at one time or another en route to 103 regular-season wins. Puig’s big hit came on a walk-off double in August against the Chicago White Sox. He then proceeded to get on the Dodger Stadium microphone to tell all the fans that he would see them in the World Series, which prompted a loud roar throughout Chavez Ravine.

8. Triple and tongue wag in Game 1 of the 2017 NLDS against the Diamondbacks

One of the many times that Puig electrified Dodger Stadium came in Game 1 of the 2017 National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Puig hit a triple and belly flopped into third base, proceeding to stick his tongue out in celebration, which then became a bit of a trademark for him.

7. Three-run home run to beat Marlins while down to last strike in 2017

No moment seemed to be too big for Puig, and that was the case in July 2017 against the Miami Marlins. With his team down to its last strike, Puig proceeded to destroy a three-run go-ahead home run off Marlins closer A.J. Ramos to earn the Dodgers a victory.

6. First career grand slam in 2013 against Braves

Puig took the baseball world by storm when he debuted in 2013. One of the big home runs he hit was his first career grand slam, an opposite-field shot against the Atlanta Braves.

5. Walk-off home run in 2013 against Reds

Puig’s first and only career walk-off home run with the Dodgers came in 2013 against the Reds, the team he now plays for. The longball broke a 0-0 tie in the 11th inning.

4. Five home runs in 24 hours against Cardinals in 2018

Perhaps the most locked in Puig has ever been at the plate came in a September weekend in St. Louis in 2018. He hit five home runs in two games across a span of 24 hours, helping his team earn much-needed victories over a tough Cardinals opponent.

3. Throws out Trevor Story at third from right-field wall in 2016

As much as Puig is known for his bat, he is also known for having an absolute rocket of an arm. Trevor Story learned that the hard way in 2016 at Coors Field when Puig misplayed a ball off the right-field wall, but then recovered to throw an absolute bullet to get Story at third.

2. Throws out runner at first to end memorable debut in 2013

Puig’s spectacular arm was also on display in his first career game with the Dodgers. Not only did Puig have two hits against the San Diego Padres in his Major League debut, but he also doubled up a runner at first from the right field wall to end the game.

1. Home run off Jeremy Jeffress in Game 7 of 2018 NLCS:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpLZwzaAbEY/

Puig took a lot of big swings in his Dodgers tenure, but none bigger than the one he took in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018. Facing All-Star reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who said the Dodgers ‘got lucky’ when they beat him earlier in the series, Puig hit a three-run shot to extend Los Angeles’ lead to 5-1 and essentially put an end to the Brewers’ series.

Honorable mentions:

Takes Madison Bumgarner deep in 2014

Puig’s rivalry with Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants is one that everybody knows about, and it began in 2014 when Puig took Bumgarner deep and admired his shot for a little bit longer than Bumgarner liked.

Catch to save Rich Hill’s perfect game against Marlins in 2016

Making a rare appearance in left field, Puig made one of the best catches of his career in 2016 against the Marlins to preserve a perfect game for Rich Hill.

Scores from second on infield hit against Rockies in 2018

If you are sleeping on the baseball diamond while Puig is on the basepaths, he will make you pay. That is exactly what happened in July of 2018 against D.J. LeMahieu and the Colorado Rockies.

Walk-off against Nationals on misplay by Michael Taylor in 2016

This highlight came thanks to Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor, who misplayed Puig’s single in the ninth inning in 2016, leading to a walk-off victory for Puig and the Dodgers. Credit to Puig for hustling out of the box and coming all the way around to score though.