Okay I admit it – I was an absolute wreck for about 15 minutes and I make no bones about it. After all, we are talking about the most incredible prospect I have seen in decades, perhaps even my entire life.

I am, of course, talking about the unbearable time between watching 22-year-old Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig suffer a bone-jarring collision with the turf at Camelback Ranch until receiving a report on his condition.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch. With a runner on first and no outs in the top of the 5th inning, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips hit a routine fly ball to the left of straight away center. Puig misjudged the ball off of the bat and took a couple steps in the wrong direction. When he realized where the ball was actually headed, he had to run at full speed and attempted to make a diving catch. The ball hit the tip of his glove and bounced off and Puig hit the ground hard while completely stretched out.

As hard as Puig hit the ground, it’s a wonder that it didn’t register on the Richter Scale at Cal Tech. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Left fielder Jerry Hairston Jr. quickly recovered the ball and got it back into the infield before the runners could advance and quickly ran over to Puig, who was laying face down and was motionless. Hairston motioned for help and was quickly joined by head trainer Sue Falsone and manager Don Mattingly (among others). It was only then that the young outfielder began moving his feet and legs but it was clear that he was in considerable discomfort.

A minute or so later, Puig finally got to his feet and did what all ball players do – he tried to convince his manager that he was fine and that he could continue. Wisely, Mattingly would have no part of that (especially in a spring training game) and sent Puig to the clubhouse with Falsone to better assess his condition.

Like many others, I immediately started following Twitter during this anxious time, as many of my colleagues were at Camelback Ranch and would undoubtedly receive an update on Puig’s condition even before broadcaster Steve Lyons would, and let me tell you, Twitter was buzzing.

It took about 15 minutes before word finally came that Puig was uninjured and had merely knocked the wind out of himself (and the rest of us). I say merely, but anyone who has ever experienced this knows how terrifying it is not being able to breathe for five or ten seconds.

After receiving this welcomed news, Dodger fans everywhere let out a collective sigh of relief. It’s a miracle that there weren’t any tornadoes with everybody suddenly exhaling all at once.

Shortly after arriving in the Dodger clubhouse Puig quickly recovered and began joking around about his crash. He later assured reporters that he is fine. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the Camelback Ranch Stadium turf where he landed.

Puig gives a double thumbs up indicating that he is fine after knocking the wind out of himself.
(Photo credit – @Dodgers)

Oh, by the way, the Dodgers lost 6-5 after allowing three runs in the top of the 9th. To be honest, I was too busy cerebrating Puig’s non-injury to even care.