December 2nd, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by Jayann Kellogg Suffice to say, most Dodgers fans recall a Cuban-born right fielder who had his first Major League season in 2013 and remained with the Dodgers through the 2018 season.
Soon-to-be (on December 7) 32-year-old Yasiel Puig was known to have a wild attitude that included sticking his tongue out while running the bases and licking his bat before approaching the batter’s box, affectionately – and appropriately – earning him the nicknamed “Wild Horse” by Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully .
Although some fans felt that the All-Star right fielder made baseball fun and brought new energy to the game which, in turn, drew new fans into the game, purest and traditionalist baseball fans felt that his antics were unnecessary and made a joke out of the game they hold so very near and dear to their hearts.
(USAT Sports)
Puig was traded to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a ‘blockbuster’ trade deal in 2019. Left-handed pitcher Alex Wood, outfielder Matt Kemp, and utility man Kyle Farmer were all a part of the package.
While the involved players were settling into their new clubhouses and meeting their new teammates, Puig was, unfortunately, focusing on illegally betting on sports, including tennis, football, and basketball. Besides the fact that the former Major Leaguer was betting illegally, come to find out, he wasn’t very good at it. In 2019 alone, Puig had over $280,000 worth of lost betting wagers.
Forty-six-year-old former Minor League starting pitcher/left fielder Wayne Nix was the ringleader of the illegal operation. Nix pleaded guilty to conspiracy of operating an illegal sports gambling business and filing a false tax return this past April. Prosecutors found that Nix’s illegal operation had been running for two decades.
Puig was not the only former Major Leaguer mixed up in Nix’s illegal scheme. Former Major League right-hander Erik Hiljus was also involved and pleaded guilty to two counts of filing false tax returns.
But just when it appeared that this entire ugly mess was finally (and mercifully) behind us, in a statement from Puig (through his attorney) this past week, the (now) convicted federal felon wants to un-plead guilty.
“I want to clear my name,” Puig said, in his attorney-read statement. “I never should have agreed to plead guilty to a crime I did not commit.”
(TMZ)
As it turns out, when federal agents initially interviewed the (now) Korea Baseball Organization right fielder in January (via Zoom) regarding his involvement with Nix, he did not have legal representation nor an interpreter. He pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents during their investigation of the illegal gambling operation. He now has legal counsel who claims that significant evidence has come to light. As such, the Cuban native has changed his plea to not guilty because of “significant new evidence,” according to a statement read by his attorney Keri Axel at the Roybal Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Per Axel, the new evidence prompted the change in plea and is in discussions with Federal prosecutors about that new evidence.
“At the time of his January 2022 interview, Mr. Puig, who has a third-grade education, had untreated mental-health issues, and did not have his own interpreter or criminal legal counsel with him,” Axel said in court. “We have reviewed the evidence, including significant new information, and have serious concerns about the allegations made against Yasiel.”
Will this ‘new evidence’ be enough to exonerate the former Dodgers outfielder from the Federal probation he was eligible for under his plea agreement in-lieu of a five-year federal prison term?
We will all have to wait and see.
But there is one thing you can absolutely count on. You can bet (no pun intended) that Major League Baseball will be staying well clear of the “Wild Horse.”
…unless he attempts to sign with an MLB team, that is.
Let’s Play Ball!
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Although federal investigators undoubtedly advised Puig of his Constitutional right against self-incrimination and right to council before and during questioning, it is blatantly obvious that he did not understand these rights, even though he would have had to acknowledge that he did before questioning commenced.
That “third-grade education” thing and that “mental-health issues” thing support a diminished-capacity defense. As such, it is probably safe to say that a ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’ appeal will be (or has already been) filed, and, in all likelihood, will stand up.
Regardless, it is hard – if not impossible – to believe that Puig will ever wear a MLB uniform again. Major League Baseball is not under by the legal standards that federal investigators are. As such, they can ban Puig from the game as they choose – unless he sues them in Federal Court, which isn’t much of a reach.
Trust me, we haven’t seen or heard the end of this yet.
Whatever Puig says, don’t believe half of it, and question the other half. Nothing but a problem child and seemingly unwilling to grow up. Run-ins with Dodgers minor league managers, confrontation with nightclub bouncer, triple digit speeding violations, sexual assault allegations, etc., etc. — Ned Colletti tried to counsel him but to no avail. Puig put himself into this mess and some attorney is now grasping at straws. SMH!!!
The story of Yaisel Puig is truly a tragedy. Obviously born with tremendous athletic ability he had/has NO maturity with which to channel it to his advantage. Or any team’s advantage either.
While he was with the Dodgers I often wondered if anyone would ever get through to him and he would develop some maturity and some control while he still had his God-given physical gifts? Apparently the answer is a firm no. Thinking of what he COULD have been is very sad. Thinking of what will likely become the rest of his life is even worse.