2013 MLB All-Star Game: Twitter Reacts After Yasiel Puig Gets Denied

There is absolutely no denying that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has had a crazy start to his major league career.

In 35 games, the 22-year-old Cuban right fielder has recorded a .394 batting average, eight home runs and 19 runs batted in and has stolen five bases. If he were to keep up this pace over a full 162-game season, his stat line would read something like 37 home runs, 87 runs batted in and 23 stolen bases. For a little context, compared to last year's statistics, those would have been good for second, 21st and 21st in the National League, respectively. 

Not bad for a rookie.

His torrid start has resulted in a few outcomes, some good, some bad. The negatives include the backlash against him that has occurred throughout the league. The positives revolve around his candidacy for the NL All-Star team.

While it might seem ridiculous to consider someone who has only recorded a little more than five weeks under their belt as an All-Star, much less than half of the season thus far, there is certainly a case that could be made for Puig's candidacy, which includes arguments from B/R's Maxwell Ogden and Josh Schoch.

However, that speculation is now over. Alyson Footer of MLB announced earlier today that the last NL All-Star roster spot would be given to Atlanta Braves first basemen Freddie Freeman.

Let's take a look at how Twitter reacted to the news.

First off, I think it's sort of incredible that Puig didn't get voted in when he has someone like Samuel L. Jackson pulling for him. Amazing. 

"

C'mon SPORTSFANS!!! @YasielPuig is da hottest kid is baseball! Get him on the ALL STAR Squad! #VotePuig do it now! http://t.co/JlT3wDPgTP

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) July 10, 2013 "

ESPN's Jayson Stark made sure to note how Freddie Freeman is known as one of the best huggers in baseball. As in one who hugs. A hugger.

"

What were the Vegas odds on @FreddieFreeman5 beating Yasiel Puig in that Final Vote? Looks like Puig should have done more hugging!

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 11, 2013"

ESPN's Stats & Info crew made sure to do their homework on Puig, offering a couple of explanations for Puig's recent cooling off. Perhaps this is why Puig didn't end up making the team?

"

One reason for Yasiel Puig's recent slump? He's been swinging - and more importantly missing - a lot of pitches pic.twitter.com/rVKuFMGO4U

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2013"

ESPN's Buster Olney seems to corroborate that data with a little of his own.

"

Evaluators say SF-Ariz. 1st teams to successfully adjust to Puig, who has 6 hits, 10 Ks last 23 ABs. Fastballs way in/up, soft stuff away.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 11, 2013"

CBS's Gregg Doyel doesn't buy it.

"

Yasiel Puig won't play in the All-Star Game for lots of reasons, none that make any sense to me

— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelCBS) July 11, 2013"

Neither does Sports Illustrated's Jay Jaffe.

"

shaking my fist at cloud RT @si_mlb: Freeman wins NL All-Star Final Vote but Puig's absence a missed opportunity http://t.co/ABGQrzBHuF

— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) July 12, 2013"

However, after learning of the dual Toronto Blue Jays-Atlanta Braves partnership to get Freddie Freeman elected, I think this description is particularly apt.

"

In parenting terms, southeast just gave Puig a timeout.

— Batting Stance Guy (@BattingStanceG) July 11, 2013"

But I think we can all agree we're hoping for this to come true along with Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch.

"

Hoping for a one-hour SportsCenter special on why Dwight Howard is to blame for Yasiel Puig not making the All-Star Game.

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) July 11, 2013"

It seems that Terrell Owens was somewhat misinformed...

"

Congrats to @YasielPuig #NLAllstar!! #welldeserved

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) July 9, 2013"

Let's check out some of the better fan reactions to Puig's rejection.

Ouch.

"

Yasiel Puig Is the Justin Bieber of Baseball http://t.co/6lQnJUWmpc

— Kent Sterling (@KentSterling) July 12, 2013 "

"

Yasiel Puig left out of the all-star game for Freddie Freeman?? THANK YOU MLB (and Braves fans) for once again proving you just dont get it.

— Shan Shariff (@NewSchoolSS) July 12, 2013 "

"

ESPN has no idea what to do now that Yasiel Puig didn't make the #FinalVote  More Jeter highlights from 2001 ??

— Eric  (@EricTCU) July 12, 2013 "

"

Yasiel Puig being off the team is quite frankly less disappointing than Bryce Harper being on it.

— Chuck Johnson (@prospect_pulse) July 12, 2013"

"

Welcome to America Yasiel Puig, where we build you up just to tear you down twice as fast.

— Chris Anders (@ChrisAnders42) July 12, 2013 "

This was Puig's reaction to finding out he didn't make it to the All-Star team.

"

Muchas gracias de todo corazon. Thank you from bottom my heart. Quiero agradecer a la mejor fanaticada del mundo. Thanks best fans in world!

— yasielpuig (@YasielPuig) July 11, 2013 "

And lastly, ending on a true statement.

"

What does a #Dodgers fan do after seeing Yasiel Puig play in the All-Star Game? Turn off the Xbox and go to bed.

— Josh Gralton (@gralton) July 11, 2013"