Brazil wins Confed, Puig smashing baseballs (and records)

Brazil Wins Confederations Cup


- Brazil won the 2013 Confederations Cup in their last game (as a National Squad) before next year’s World Cup in their own country. The 3-0 drubbing of Spain, was the first loss in the last 29 games and the largest suffered by Spain since 1985.
- Brazil was powered offensively by Fred (with two goals) and Neymar (pictured above) who added a third. Fred’s first goal was a scant 2 minutes into the game (while he was lying on the ground on his side) and his second in the 47th minute (along with Neymar’s 44th minute goal) gave Brazil more than enough offensive power to take home the title.
- This Spanish team that had not lost a game in almost three full years, will have to do some soul searching before next year’s world cup, a tournament they likely will still enter as favorites. This loss should fuel the team and make them realize they are fallible.


Puig on fire

- If you've never heard of L.A. Dodger outfielder Yaisel Puig, it's ok because he's only been in the major leagues for less than a month.  However, during that time span, he's not only been off to a hot start, he's been historically great. 
- Puig's first game was June 3rd and in that time span he leads all MLB players with 44 hits, the most ever by any Dodger rookie in a month.  The 44 hits is also the second most ever for any rookie in his first 100 at bats.  #1 on that list?  None other than Joe DiMaggio, who hit a mind boggling 48 in 1936.
- The number don't stop there, either.  Puig has seven home runs, 19 runs, a .713 slugging percentage and four stolen bases (half of which came in yesterday's win over Philadelphia).  Even more importantly, the team has been revitalized by Puig's energy, winning 8 of their past 9 to get within four games of first place Arizona as of the end of the month. 
- It's the second straight year a rookie has had such a phenomenal start to a season, with Mike Trout's rookie campaign last year lasting for the entire season.  Will Puig continue to play at this level and if so, for how long?  Only time will tell but in the meantime, the Dodgers will reap the benefits and hope to establish themselves as playoff contenders.