No one celebrates division titles like Yasiel Puig
In six Major League seasons for the Dodgers, Yasiel Puig has helped win six NL West titles. Puig just may be the not-so-secret ingredient to the Dodgers' recent winning ways.
And Puig has sure shown he knows how to party when that magic number for the division crown turns to zero. Let's take a look back at how the electric outfielder has celebrated each of the six NL West titles over the last six seasons:
2013
When the Dodgers called Puig up to make his MLB debut on June 3, 2013, the Dodgers were actually in last place in the NL West at 23-32. They remained in last place through June, before getting hot in the second half en route to a 92-70 record and their first division title since 2009. The rookie Puig played a huge part in that, hitting .319 with 19 home runs in 104 games as a 22-year-old rookie.
Puig's first division title celebration? The infamous Chase Field pool party:
While nearly the whole roster participated in the pool proceedings, only one man broke out the ultimate dance move:
A legend was born.
2014
Puig didn't fall for the sophomore slump and put up another excellent season, earning his first All-Star appearance and helping the Dodgers to a 94-68 season. When the team clinched on Sept. 24, we got our first glimpse at Puig's affection for the champagne celebration:
He eventually paused his party for a victory lap around Dodger Stadium:
2015
The 2015 season brought more of the same for Puig and the Dodgers, who won 92 games and remained in first place from May 30 through the end of the season. When they clinched on Sept. 29 behind a
And who was front and center of the foamy festivities? You can probably guess:
2016
This division-clinching game was extra special because it concluded with a dramatic
Puig made sure he paid tribute to the legendary broadcaster before his first at-bat:
2017
After a scorching first half put the team on pace for one of the winningest seasons of all-time, the Dodgers cooled off down the stretch. They still ended up with the best record in baseball at 104-58 and would go on to win the National League pennant. Puig's interview upon clinching another NL West crown was relatively tame ...
... because he seemed to save his best partying for the postseason series victories:
2018
It wasn't easy for the defending National League champions for much of the season, as they battled Arizona and Colorado all the way through September and down to a Game 163 against the Rockies. But the Dodgers prevailed yet again for their sixth straight NL West title, and Puig went Maximum Puig in the postgame party with an interview for the ages:
We can't wait to see what 2019 has in store.
