Dukes Gone (Or Not)

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 22, 2007 3:58 PM EDT

From Marc Lancaster:

It appears the Rays finally have given up on Elijah Dukes. The troubled outfielder is off the roster, though it is not yet clear if he has been designated for assignment or placed on the restricted list.

Dustan Mohr has been brought up from Durham to take Dukes' place.

Dukes' locker in the clubhouse has been cleaned out. We have been told the clubhouse will close at 4:00 for a team meeting.

Apparently Dukes had asked to be traded although we're not sure if that's the case just yet...

Marc Topkin:

The Rays apparently are going to assign Dukes to a list -- which list is still unknown -- that will drop him from the roster but keep him within the organization.

Temporary Inactive List for Dukes. Rocco moved to 60 day DL to make room.

- Lancaster

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Re: Dukes Gone

.229-9-28 with 15 doubles. Not the best choice, I don't think.

Why not Chris Richard? .280-11-33 with no fielding errors.

by Orlando Rays on Jun 22, 2007 4:34 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone

Richard is the epitome of an AAAA player...

Mohr can play all three outfield spots and is filler until BJ and or Rocco return.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 22, 2007 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Durham

He's optioned to Durham and placed on the temporary incactive list.

Per Lancatser.

by Tyler on Jun 22, 2007 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

I thought Durham didn't want him anymore. They should trade him to the Yankees for Sean Henn or one of the minor league pitchers they got in the Sheffield or Johnson trades. The Yanks can use him as a first baseman/centerfielder. Maybe in an experienced, winning clubhouse he'll come around. The Yanks could keep him away from the press until things blow over a little.

tampadenis

by tampadenis on Jun 22, 2007 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

Henn's vastly overrated, and I'd rather work a deal out with the Marlins, the Yankees don't want to ever give us value.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 22, 2007 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

The Marlins will try to rob the Rays like any smart team would. Besides, I don't think Dukes' wife wants him anywhere within driving distance of Tampa (wink).

On a more serious note, I really think the Rays should strongly consider trading Baldelli. I can see the handwriting on the wall. His legs will always be an issue, and his value can go nowhere but down from this point. His contract is manageable for most teams. Do it now!

tampadenis

by tampadenis on Jun 22, 2007 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

He won't play for Durham. I'm pretty sure it's just a procedural move. He'll be at home spawning like a salmon...

by stpetelawyer on Jun 22, 2007 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

lol, excellent analogy, and correct

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 22, 2007 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Likely

Just an extended time now for the Rays to make a trade, doubtful Dukes ever reports anywhere but his home.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 22, 2007 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

You know what, like it or not, the Devil Rays have gotten more exposure in the last few weeks than at any time in their franchise's history. Every national and local sports show has been all over the story. Now what will we do for excitement? Oh wait......I have a prediction: Delmon Young will blast the Devil Rays and the media over ousting Dukes. He'll get in big trouble and Dmitri Young will defend him. All three players will be on the Nationals roster by Spring Training. Maybe their collective attitude will go over better in D.C. I hear Marion Barry's former constituents are pretty jaded when it comes to drugs, deadbeat dads, unwed moms, and even crackhead grannies!

tampadenis

by tampadenis on Jun 22, 2007 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

Delmon Young isn't a moron, I doubt he's going to stick his neck out for Dukes...

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 22, 2007 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh I don't know about that

He won't stick his head out and say something stupid to defend Dukes, I'd say you're right on that.

But I don't know if I'd say Delmon Young isn't a moron.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 23, 2007 4:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Oh I don't know about that

You'd say Delmon Young is a moron? What are you basing that on?

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 23, 2007 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Oh I don't know about that

I'd be interested to hear this as well, and I don't consider the bat flipping event moronic. The only other item we've heard from him was the "As soon as I get my time I'm leaving" fiasco with LaMar & co., which was smoothed over early on in the new regime.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 23, 2007 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

That was smoothed on?

I don't remember that issue being resolved. I know the comments eventually faded on, but that sentiment might still very well exist.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 24, 2007 5:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I didn't say he was a moron

I just said that I wouldn't say the opposite. I'm not going to attempt to seriously guess the intelligence level of players, because I don't know them.

But to say that Delmon Young isn't a moron is equally as ignorant. He has a penchant for doing stupid things and running his mouth at inopportune times, and whether that is immaturity or stupidity I don't know. Now, there is a track record of media statements, the bat toss, and I think one run-in with an umpire in Montgomery that resulted in like a three game suspension, that would indicate that he is one of those two things. Which one, I don't know. But I'm not going to rule either out.

Regardless, it is pretty irrelevant. Unless he possesses the intelligence level of a jellyfish, the matter isn't really pertinent to his play as a baseball player.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 24, 2007 5:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

I notice in today's Trib that he chose not to comment. I'm sure that was on the advice of his agent. Had he said anything, you can be sure it would have been something positive in defense of his friend. If he had started talking (which I think he will do eventually, even if it's after the season), it would've have been really hard for him not to say that the media hadn't given him a fair shake and that everyone has personal problems. They were clearly friends at Durham (see last year's famous article where they ripped the Devil Rays) and it's only a matter of time before Young and Sheffield chime in on Dukes. This isn't over by a long shot! (Actually, I'm surprised Sharpton hasn't gotten involved...wink wink).

tampadenis

by tampadenis on Jun 23, 2007 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Amazing

Three months ago the guy was going yard in Yankee Stadium on opening day....Talking about pissing away a career.

by JWallace on Jun 22, 2007 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

And he's still only what, 22? C'mon, after the JHam comeback this year Rays fans of all people should be wary of writing somebody off too soon...

by das411 on Jun 23, 2007 2:42 AM EDT reply actions

Difference:

Dukes has shown absolutely no sign of rectifying his behavior, unlike Hamilton. Until he gets a grip on himself, he will never be successful.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 23, 2007 4:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Difference:

There were at least 4 times when Hamilton was suspended from baseball for substance abuse problems and the Devil Rays stuck by him and gave him another chance.

Dukes was suspended once, and the end of last year.

Hamilton is 26, and has 4 years more of fucking up before he's showed any sign of "rectifying his behavior". Dukes is 22 and he's never done anything to help himself right? HE'S 22. To compare him with Hamilton, you gotta give him 4 more years and 3 more chances.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 23, 2007 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay

Wrong. Elijah Dukes was suspended at least twice, once at the beginning of the year for fighting Richie Hebner, as well as the few suspensions he incurred from the Southern League administration, the one that sticks out to me is a six gamer for bumping an umpire. The problem is that Dukes has multiple issues that keep sprouting up again and again, and there never seems to be an end to them. They occur unabated, whereas Hamilton at least was fairly straightforward before he got into drugs.

The problem with your post is that it leaves the assumption that Hamilton's issues began at the start of his career and continued for a seven year period. That is not the case. Dukes actually has been a trainwreck since the start of his career. Whereas Hamilton's issues were tied to one thing, Dukes' issues are wide-ranging and encompass every possible field of transgression.

Your choice is either a player with one major issue, or another player with multiple issues that go unabated. I choose neither. During their periods of issues (which for Dukes is still continuing), they were both blights on society. I'll give Hamilton credit for having stayed clean for at least a year or so. But Hamilton is no longer with the organization and I have no problem with that. Just as I will have no problem when Dukes eventually kisses the dust.

Essentially, the mistake you make is using age as a vehicle to make your point. The drug issues Hamilton encountered could have occurred at any point in his career, including the beginning. That isn't a function of age.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 24, 2007 5:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

Josh Hamilton had been kicked out of baseball and dropped out of rehab five times; there was no 'writing him off too soon' in my mind.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 23, 2007 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

He's gone and I'm glad he's gone

I share the same sentiment with Dukes. I am an equal (in)opportunity individual.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 24, 2007 5:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

Kinda funny, you guys were expecting Young to go crazy and defend dukes, when it is well known Shields was one of duke's best friends in Durham.

by Jhattenburg on Jun 23, 2007 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

Difference:

Delmon Young has shown a penchant in the past for running his mouth and making stupid statements to the wrong people. Still, I didn't expect him to say anything, simply because his previous remarks were usually instigated by him and not some actual event. When there is an event like this that occurs the statements of players take on added importance, so either he knew or someone told him to lay low.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 24, 2007 5:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Anyone catch this doozy from Stu Sternberg?

From the Tampa Tribune:

But when asked if he thought Dukes could be rehabilitated, his answer wasn't totally optimistic.

"It's possible. Is it likely? No,"

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 24, 2007 5:51 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Anyone catch this doozy from Stu Sternberg?

Stu tells it like it is...

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2007 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't know about that

He's usually pretty savvy with dodging the substance of questions. I mean, he was pretty curt in that interview with you guys, wasn't he?

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 24, 2007 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: I don't know about that

Let me refrain that:

Stu tells it like it is regarding Dukes.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 24, 2007 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Dukes Gone (Or Not)

So he is still on the team, and getting paid. Sternberg wanted to make sure that he could take care of his family while he seeks help for his, more then obvious, mental condition.

Kudos to sternberg.

by Jhattenburg on Jun 24, 2007 6:28 PM EDT reply actions