It always happens – not immediately, but usually within a few weeks or months and especially after a few years.

It happened after the Koufax perfect game. It happened after the Gibson and the Finley home runs. It happened after the back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs. And it will undoubtedly happen now, after ‘The Throw’ … the Yasiel Puig Throw.

‘The Throw’
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Suddenly the 37,055 who were actually at Dodger Stadium for Monday night’s historic Dodgers vs. Padres game will mysteriously grow to 37 million fans who will claim that they were there – a game which ended on what can only be described as an impossible throw by Cuban rookie phenom Yasiel Puig in his major league debut from the warning track in deep right field to Dodger first baseman Adrian Gonzalez on the fly. A throw that very few other major leaguers could make – if any.

Of course I am exaggerating, but it always seems that far more people boast about being at such historic baseball games such as Puig’s ‘The Throw’ game than were actually there, more so out of envy for those who were really there than anything else and certainly not out of any malice or ill intent – they’re just jealous. Can you blame them? I mean, events such as this don’t happen every day… or will they?

Well I can honestly say that I was there; I was among the 37,055 (most of whom stayed to the very end) to witness The Throw – and I have proof. And while Padres right fielder Chris Denorfia and first base coach Dave Roberts will forever claim that the umpires blew the call arguing that Denorfia had scurried back in time to avoid being doubled up on Puig’s impossible throw, the play stands and is officially in the books as a game-ending 9-3 double play for an exciting 2-1 Dodger win.

Much has already been written about the game and The Throw and undoubtedly much more will be written about it, not because the game itself had any real significance but because it was the much anticipated debut of the 22-year-old Cuban superstar, and much of the baseball world was watching – whether in person, fictitiously in person, or on television. As such, there is no need for me to re-cap the game, during which Puig also recorded his first MLB hit in his first MLB at bat. Instead, I will simply share a few photos that I took before and during the game, along with a few photos from the great Jon SooHoo and Juan Ocampo (as noted):

Puig arrives more than four hours before his first MLB game (nice Mohawk). (Photo courtesy of DodgersFacebook.com)

Long before batting practice started, Puig took grounders and fly balls out in right field.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Dodger great Davey Lopes works with Puig on base running tactics.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Prior to batting practice, Puig answered questions for the large media presence.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In his first MLB at bat, Puig collects his first MLB hit – a single to center field.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

When a 22-year-old rookie in his MLB debut can get a smile like this from the normally stoic Adrian Gonzalez, you know something special has just happened – although Padres right fielder Chris Denorfia might not exactly see it that way. (Photo credit – Juan Ocampo)

“How can you not be surprised by that ending?” said Dodger manager Don Mattingly of Puig’s incredibly throw. (Photo credit – Juan Ocampo)

One can only guess how many millions will be at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night for Puig’s second game but there is one thing for certain – I’ll definitely be there, because Puigmania has officially begun.