Put up your Dukes

by bunner on Mar 17, 2010 11:08 AM EDT Comment 12 comments

Apparently the Nationals just released supremely talented and just as troubled RF Elijah Dukes...probably due to some blow up he had with someone or the other for some stupid reason.

This guy has so much talent but his off-field antics (sometimes criminal) bring into question if he is even worth taking a flier on.

Personally, I've always rooted for this guy and I think for the Jays in a season that is considered to be a building one he might be worth the risk for the Jays especially if they are concerned with the health of E5 at 3B. Basically AA could sign Dukes and let him play RF, put the leadoff man Bautista at 3B and let EE get healthy. Also, if Snider needs more time in AAA then Dukes can play LF until he's ready.

If Dukes has more personal issues they can release him easily, and if he doesn't perform he can always go to the bench or the minors...if he performs like he can he could be a 25/25 hitter in the middle of the order...

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he stole 3 bases last year

and was caught 10 times, so 25/25 is a bit of a stretch. His defense is mediocre.

I don’t think “some blow up with someone for some stupid reason” begins to describe the off-field problems Dukes has had. He has been arrested several times for assault, threatened his wife with a gun, and impregnated his grandmother’s 17-year old foster child. DC had someone on the payroll whose only job was to follow Dukes around and keep him out of trouble.

I am all for second chances and think most of the time that perceived “clubhouse cancers” are complete bunk, but this is one case where I don’t think signing Dukes would send the right message to the Jays’ young players. You’re going to the minors, Travis, we just signed Elijah Dukes to play right field for us every day!

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Mar 17, 2010 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not trying to say that he should take Snider’s spot, but if AA feels that Snider needs more time in AAA then Dukes could fill in, or if Snider is gonna play LF and Lind is going to DH and EE isn’t healthy then Dukes could play RF and Bautista 3B.

Dukes does have a lot of baggage for sure, and may not be the type of player you want the youngsters around but IF (and it’s a BIG IF) he can put his troubles aside and focus on baseball he could be a heck of a player. Coming up through the minors (when he was actually playing) he showed the ability to play good defence, hit for power and steal bases. He may not steal 25 bases but he may hit 30+ HR….

I hope someone gives him another shot and I hope that Dukes will get his head on straight and turn his life/career around.

by bunner on Mar 17, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

He has been arrested several times for assault, threatened his wife with a gun, and impregnated his grandmother’s 17-year old foster child

Not only does this guy belong no where near the Bluejays, he should be no where near baseball. Playing professional sports should be a priviledge, not a right. What kind of role model is this asswhipe? He is a naturally talented dude who could have made hundreds of millions of dollars but blew it all by sleeping with his Grandmothers freaking 17 year old foster child? What an waste.

I don’t care if he could put is troubles aside, hit .400 with 60 HR’s and 200 RBI’s if 1/2 of what is alledged against him are true, I wouldn’t want him on my team or anyones team. He can play slowpitch against the wardens in some Federal Penetentury in Timbucktoo

/rant

"I've only been in love with a beer bottle and a mirror" - Sid Vicious.

by craig in calgary on Mar 17, 2010 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

this

Onions Baby Onions

by ohmybosh on Mar 18, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

if he's good he can play on the jays IMO

when you see someone as messed up as dukes, you have to blame him for his actions BUT who knows what kind of f’ed up childhood led him down that path.

though he hasn’t shown enough on the field to warrant it.

by torontocoltsfan on Mar 18, 2010 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

No offense, but I hate that argument

I realize alot of people had really hard environments but didn’t end up doing half the shit that this clown has done. I’m currently reading “The Blind Side” and I guarantee Michael Oher had a tougher upbringing and didn’t sleep with his grandmothers foster child (Although I am only 1/2 done the book, but I can’t see that happening).

I don’t care if he had a bad upbringing with poor parents, drug addicted parents or inprisoned parents, people that threaten their wives with guns don’t belong in roles where children look up to them.

"I've only been in love with a beer bottle and a mirror" - Sid Vicious.

by craig in calgary on Mar 18, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't get me wrong

I agree Dukes is completely responsible for his actions and really has no business being a professional athlete, (though if he was better on the field I bet he wouldn’t have been released). I just can’t help but wonder what role his childhood had in molding the person he became. His Dad was convicted of second degree murder when he was 12 and just a year later he got arrested for the first time. Sympathy for the victims but also the antagonist.

by torontocoltsfan on Mar 18, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i do agree that he's probably not worth the bad exposure

but this is worth a look
Nike commercial

by boo15749 on Mar 21, 2010 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

If we are considering playing Dukes in RF...

…we should be playing Snider there.

Check that, we should be playing Snider there regardless.

And I agree 100% with hugo. Dukes isn’t just a clubhouse cancer, he’s a bad dude who just happens to be able to kinda sorta play baseball when he decides he wants to and isn’t in big trouble. Not worth it.

Knights, Canucks, Dolphins, Jays and Raptors all the way.

by Jevant on Mar 17, 2010 11:41 AM EDT reply actions