Puig calls Harper his idol, plans to join ‘Make Baseball Fun Again’ campaign – CBSSports.com

Last month, Nationals wunderkind Bryce Harper grabbed some attention for wearing a Trump-esque “Make Baseball Fun Again” hat. Here’s the photo, in case you’ve somehow missed it:

Bryce Harper wearing a “Make Baseball Fun Again” hat. Love it, so much. pic.twitter.com/zESqRjO0qN

— Mr. Schäfer (@misterschafer) April 5, 2016

Harper also called baseball “tired” a few weeks back, referring the game’s old school mentality and the way players are not allowed to express their emotions. Things like bat flips and fist pumps regularly draw the ire of fans, analysts, and other players.

Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is no stranger to that ire. He’s been in the crosshairs since his debut four years thanks to his flashy and energetic play. There is no shortage of people hoping to see Puig fail, sadly.

During an interview with Marly Rivera of ESPN, Puig said he considers Harper his idol. He also plans to join in on the “Make Baseball Fun Again” campaign, which is apparently a thing. Here’s what Puig told Rivera:

Bryce Harper is my idol now. I’m going to join him in the “make baseball fun again” campaign; I’m just waiting to get my shirts and baseball caps. He’s always been a great friend and a great athlete, and I admire him. I like how he plays the game, and I think he gets it. It’s good to see an American player saying that there needs to be a little more fun in baseball. Fans leave everything behind to come and see us play. We have to make baseball fun for the fans and not take everything so personal.

It’s not about Harper or Puig making noise about it. In baseball, it is more common for a pitcher to punch you out three times than for you to hit the ball out of the park. So after you have struck out three times against a pitcher and you finally get a home run, bat flips are just an emotional expression — not about taunting the pitcher. That’s what Jose Bautista did [in Game 5 of last year’s ALDS]; he changed the result of that game with that swing. It was a big thrill for him, and he flipped the bat. He has always been a respectful player and only flipped his bat when he was overcome by emotion. Afterward, he was criticized as if what he did was wrong. But he had fun!

I am all for baseball being fun. It’s a game and, at the end of the day, baseball is in the entertainment business. I get that some folks don’t like the bat flips and all that, but I love ’em. Give me all the bat flips and exciting plays I can handle.

Baseball is trying like hell to increase its popularity among younger fans. I’m not sure trying to rein in players like Harper and Puig is the way to do it. Young fans will be drawn to the flashy plays, not the guys who put their heads down and run after mashing a dinger.

By the way, if you’re looking to get yourself a “Make Baseball Fun Again” shirt, BreakingT has you covered. It’s MLBPA licensed too!