Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig Signs Endorsement Deal with Italian Sunglass Brand Rudy Project

Aug. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Rudy Project, Italian designers and engineers of precision sunglasses and helmets, is proud to announce a partnership with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig to wear its technologically advanced eyewear while on the baseball field for the remainder of his rookie Major League season in 2013.

The 22-year-old Cuban has rocketed into stardom after making his Major League Baseball debut with the Dodgers on June 3. With 44 hits in June, registering as the second-most in MLB history for a player during their debut month, Puig became the first player in baseball history to simultaneously win both the National League Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month Awards.

“Although Rudy Project is more commonly known in cycling and running sports, having an athlete like Yasiel Puig wear our sunglasses while playing for the Dodgers will allow our brand to be widely recognized as we enter into the baseball market,” remarked Rudy Project North America Co-owner Steve Wagner. “All of us within the company are proud that Puig chose Rudy Project eyewear and sunglasses to be his choice on and off the field. We’ll keep making the best eyewear in the world and hope Puig just keeps everyone in awe of his play.”

Rudy Project is the premier brand of Running and Cycling Enterprises (RACE) and is a global leader in technologically advanced sports helmets, clothing and sunglasses – with award-winning frames, lenses and many prescription technologies. For more than 25 years, Rudy Project has designed sport sunglasses for elite and professional athletes, meeting the requirements for a wide variety of sports, including cycling, running, golf, shooting, tennis and fishing. Puig has become Rudy Project’s first premier MLB athlete endorser as the brand enters into the baseball market.

The Rudy Project sunglasses Puig wears on the field and other eyewear products are available online at www.e-rudy.com or at various retailers throughout the U.S., including optometrist offices, running stores and bicycle shops. For a limited time, consumers can take advantage of the Puig Special Offer and receive a free casual sunglass model when purchasing his favorite sports sunglass model or RX on the company’s website at e-rudy.com (http://www.e-rudy.com/)

While smashing records on the field, one of Puig’s go-to glasses has been the Rudy Project Magster. Crafted through a tedious but very effective digital modeling system, the Magster incorporates a number of breakthrough technical components including a stainless steel perforated grill built directly into the frame which allows optimal airflow to prevent fogging – a must while playing baseball. Another unique innovation, the Magster utilizes anti-shock pads made from megol, a highly engineered designer plastic compound embedded into both the frame and lens to create a vibration dampening system. Combined with Rudy Project’s fully adjustable nose pads and temple tips for a precise and custom fit, the Magster becomes an indispensable pair of sports eyewear.

The Rudy Project Genetyk sunglasses have also become a necessity for Puig while in the outfield. With an eye-shield design, the Genetyk offers unparalleled coverage from wind, debris and UV rays while remaining ultra-light. Their wraparound architecture allows for unobstructed peripheral vision and includes Rudy Project’s patented Quick Change™ system – allowing the glasses to effortlessly adapt in changing lighting conditions. Over 30 different lens styles ensure perfect customization for every sport, and include the Unbreakable ImpactX™ Photochromic lenses, which are based on Apache helicopter windshield panels.

When he is not in uniform, Puig can be seen relaxing in his favorite casual Rudy Project glasses, the Skymajor. These classic aviator style glasses bring together relaxed, vintage character with all the advanced technology you would expect from Italian made sports eyewear. Fusing chrome, gold or gunmetal frames with 360 degree adjustable temple tips and Rudy Project’s award-winning ImpactX PhotoPolar Lenses – which allow users to cut glare like traditional polarized lenses, but still allow users to clearly read the LCD screen on their GPS, phone or gadget.  This technology won Rudy Project “Gear of the Year” from esteemed Outside Magazine.

If he is in the mood to make a bright impression, Puig has been known to sport the new Ultimatum Shock sunglasses. These six colorful updates on a retro frame style are sure to get noticed and draw attention wherever they’re shown. Made from strong but lightweight grilamid, these casual shades feature superior optics and construction, and are backed by the same industry leading three-year frame and lifetime lens warranty as all Rudy Project sunglasses.

For those who need prescription sunglass solutions, all of Puig’s favorite glasses and many more Rudy Project models are available with either intuitive optical inserts, or with cutting edge FreeForm Tek™ lenses. Rudy Project’s FreeForm Tek™ design utilizes back surface optics, an innovative way of widening the field of vision in various ranges by bringing the sighting surface closer to the eye. This surface is digitally crafted using Eyepoint Technology™, which simulates how the human eye actually looks through the lens with thousands of reference points to create the perfect prescription lens.

In celebration of the partnership between the rookie sensation and Italian sportswear company, Rudy Project is launching the ‘Puig Special Offer.’ This limited-time deal enables those who wish to deck themselves out in the same gear as Puig to buy one of his favorite sports sunglass models or RX, and receive a free casual sunglass model in the program. Simply visit www.e-rudy.com/go/puig to take advantage of this special limited time offer.

Rudy Project signed Puig as an endorser of its products through his agent Jaime Torres and prior to the outfielder's new partnership with Radegen Sports Management.