It was a familiar scene after Yasiel Puig’s home runs last season: He completed his trot around the bases, walked back into the dugout, high-fived his teammates and then planted a kiss on hitting coach Turner Ward’s cheek.
Less than an hour after the Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers completed their seven-player trade Friday, Puig was on the phone with Ward – “So pumped and fired up,” Ward said. Puig was already wearing a Reds hat when he later posted a video on Instagram, sharing his excitement.
Ward saw Puig at the lowest points of his career, including his demotion to the minor leagues in 2016.