Puig gives a special Dodger fan the shirt off his back

July 13th, 2013 at 6:20 pm by Ron Cervenka

When Alex Solis Jr. learned that he was going to the Dodger game on Saturday, July 13, he was extremely excited, almost to tears, in fact. Even though Alex lives only about an hour away from Dodger Stadium in Thousand Oaks, CA, he can’t just jump in his car and head on over to Dodger Stadium like most Dodger fans can. Why not? Because Alex has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair and has been for his entire life.

Whether or not Alex knew that Saturday was the annual On-Field Dodger Photo Day or not I don’t know, I neglected to ask him; sometimes being overcome with emotion will do that to you. But in spite of his severe handicap, it was very obvious that Alex was having the time of his life quietly sitting in his wheelchair behind the barricades in center field at Dodger Stadium, happy just to be able to actually see his Dodger heroes in person.

Like many Dodger fans, Alex’s favorite player is superstar rookie sensation Yasiel Puig and Alex was visibly excited as Puig was slowly making his way towards his small piece of Dodger Stadium grass among a virtual sea of Dodger fans. The Photo Day event was winding down and Alex was beginning to worry that he might not get the opportunity to see his favorite Dodger, but what could he do? It’s not like he could just move closer to Puig.

But then something happened that Alex never expected; something that no one expected, in fact. Yasiel Puig, the same guy that has been bashed by members of the national media (based mostly on second and third-hand reports) for supposedly being arrogant, cocky and disrespectful, walked over to Alex, patted him on the shoulder and paused for a few photos. Puig then stepped back from the barricade, pulled his jersey over his head, and set it in Alex’s lap. He then turned and headed in, as he had already stayed out with the fans a little longer than he was supposed to.

Alex Solis Jr. couldn't believe that he got to meet his favorite Dodger Yasiel Puig. Little did he know, things were about to get better for him.

Alex Solis Jr. couldn’t believe that he got to meet his favorite Dodger Yasiel Puig. Little did he know, things were about to get better for him.

As you might imaging, Alex was in total disbelief and completely speechless. He tried desperately to utter a thank you to Yasiel but the words simply would not come out. Alex then did what any true Dodger fan would have done – he held the jersey tightly in his hands staring at it as tears began to roll down his cheeks. He then did something that I never expected – he looked directly at the guy who had just captured all of this on film as if to say “Did you see that?”

Alex tried desperately to say thank you to Puig but the words just wouldn't come out.

Alex tried desperately to say thank you to Puig but the words just wouldn’t come out.

Yasiel Puig created a memory for Alex that he will cherish forever.

Yasiel Puig created a memory for Alex that he will cherish forever.

I saw it, Alex. I saw Puig’s unsolicited act of selflessness. I saw what members of the national media have never seen and most likely never will. I saw a compassionate and caring Yasiel Puig create a moment and a memory that Alex Solis Jr. will cherish for the rest of his life. I saw the real Yasiel Puig.

(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Posted in Featured, News
«
»
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

88 Responses to “Puig gives a special Dodger fan the shirt off his back”

  1. doyersfan34 says:
    July 13, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    That’s a wonderful act of selflessness, the other day at Chase Field I watched Puig sign autographs for fans right up to the point where one of the coaches had to go get him cause the game was starting. All throughout the game Puig was giving away baseballs to kids, I think his generosity should be talked about more, but I know the national media will still try to make him out to be a bad guy.

    Reply
  2. OldBrooklynFan says:
    July 13, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    Puig could be many things and one thing is he’s down right human.

    Reply
  3. echavez2 says:
    July 13, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    Awesome story Ron! The national media needs to read this.

    Reply
  4. Bluenose Dodger says:
    July 14, 2013 at 4:19 am

    Another Matt Kemp story. WTG Yasiel.

    Reply
  5. Truebluewill says:
    July 14, 2013 at 8:51 am

    Great gesture by Yasiel!!!! It’s good to see that he gets what it’s all about.

    Reply
  6. Around The Web: All Puig all the time, prospect rankings, fan loyalty, player makeup, IBWAA | Chad Moriyama says:
    July 18, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    […] Think Blue LA: Puig gives a fan with cerebral palsy his jersey. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress