SYDNEY -- Don Mattingly has taken a lot of different tacks in managing Yasiel Puig for the past year or so. Last spring, he marveled like everyone else at Puig's physical gifts and the way he could take over a game from older players. There wasn't much to do then but stand aside and watch.
Then, there was that stretch in June and July when Mattingly delighted at the youthful energy Puig brought to a club that was languishing with veterans. For a while, Puig was the favorite son.
Then he got a little rowdy and there were the summer slaps on the wrist. Mattingly benched him a couple of times, semi-publicly. Once, he was late showing up to the clubhouse. Another time, he was so mad over an at-bat, he sauntered out to right field, not exactly delighting the pitcher.
Even when he disciplined Puig, Mattingly did so in a fatherly way, hoping it would make him a better player.
Now, you wonder whether Mattingly's patience -- and he has plenty -- is starting to enter a drought period. Back in October, Mattingly said he had a different vision of handling Puig than the rest of Dodgers management.
More...http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/...ence-with-puig
Then, there was that stretch in June and July when Mattingly delighted at the youthful energy Puig brought to a club that was languishing with veterans. For a while, Puig was the favorite son.
Then he got a little rowdy and there were the summer slaps on the wrist. Mattingly benched him a couple of times, semi-publicly. Once, he was late showing up to the clubhouse. Another time, he was so mad over an at-bat, he sauntered out to right field, not exactly delighting the pitcher.
Even when he disciplined Puig, Mattingly did so in a fatherly way, hoping it would make him a better player.
Now, you wonder whether Mattingly's patience -- and he has plenty -- is starting to enter a drought period. Back in October, Mattingly said he had a different vision of handling Puig than the rest of Dodgers management.
More...http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/...ence-with-puig
