Yasiel Puig probably won't be wearing his Vin Scully spikes again
Major League Baseball has once again found a way to eradicate fun from the game. The league issued a warning to Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, telling the 25-year-old that he would be fined if he wears his Vin Scully spikes again.
A few days after wearing the cleats, Puig received a letter from the league according to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register. That letter stated that the outfielder would receive a $5,000 fine the next time he wore his Vin Scully spikes.
According to MLB senior vice president of standards and on-field operations Joe Garagiola Jr., the shoes violate MLB’s uniform policy. Curiously, the league’s Twitter page didn’t seem to have a problem with the cleats when Puig wore them.
These Vin Scully cleats are ????. pic.twitter.com/TQ3Im1NJ4e
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2016
This is far from the first time MLB has tried to discourage players from expressing themselves. In March, the league announced that it would ban personalized bat knob decals. Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper has tested that policy a few times this season with some success, but he wasn’t able to get a customized bat supporting the military approved by the league. Harper had planned to use the patriotic bat on the 4th of July.
Both instances make MLB look pretty silly. The league pays tribute to members of the military by wearing camouflage jerseys on Memorial Day, and even scheduled a game at Fort Bragg this season. Harper’s tribute wouldn’t have gone against anything MLB isn’t already promoting.
In Puig’s case, well, it would be hard to find a person currently in baseball more beloved than Scully. The iconic broadcaster is in his final season, and both fans and players are trying to appreciate him while they still can. Puig’s spikes were a tribute to Scully’s career. That seems like a reasonable way to pay homage to someone who has spent 60+ years calling the game.
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Overall, the whole thing is pretty disappointing. Puig’s spikes may not comply with MLB uniform rules, but what’s the harm in him wearing them? They aren’t offensive in any way. Rules are rules, we guess, but it would nice if MLB could let one creative gesture slide every once in a while.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
