Culture

So THIS Is Why Yasiel Puig Keeps Licking His Bat?!

October 21, 2017

By Josh Helmuth

Baseball players are strange creatures full of even stranger habits.

The latest proof comes from Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, whose newest tick involves licking his bat.

For real. The dude licks his bat. In front of people.

We’re not sure when his little ‘tradition’ started. But here he is giving a giant lick back in July.

And here he is in Game 2 of the NLCS, licking his bat after fouling off a pitch.

However, sometimes he gives his stick a big lick and doesn’t like the taste. I can’t imagine pine tar tasting great.

Yasiel Puig licks his bat, later realizes pine tar tastes terrible (h/t @Christiancp_88) pic.twitter.com/UK7k3J2dqH

— That Dude (@cjzer0) October 7, 2017

So what’s up with the lick? I mean, Puig did set a new career high in home runs this year after being demoted to the minor leagues last season. And if one thing holds true with ballplayers it’s that if a superstition works, keep superstitioning.

Here’s what Puig had to say about his new licking tradition when asked about it this week.

Now we know why Puig licks his bats pic.twitter.com/lmBUNuVt77

— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 21, 2017

So there ya have it. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

But kids, don’t make love to your bats.

Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports.

Josh is originally from the small berg of Arthur, Ill, proudly the Amish capital of the state. It also has one hell of a pumpkin patch.

Josh has enjoyed dipping his toes into a variety of careers since graduating from the University of Alabama, the most rewarding thus far having served as a youth director in southern California for four years, and his broadcasting career which has garnered two Emmy awards and three Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Josh enjoys loud rock music, Tom Hanks movies, dogs that like to cuddle and long runs. He is also always in search for America's greatest cheeseburger. Follow him here if you would like to be friends!