OF Elijah Dukes troubled past has been well documented. The Nationals informed him from the onset that there'd be a zero tolerance policy regarding personal and team issues. Dukes has his own personal entourage that works with him and sponsored by the Nationals to help mentor him. While donning the Nationals uniform, Dukes has avoided much of the causes for so many problems in his past.
A look into the music selection may provide some insight into Dukes' personality as he chose the song Its My Birthday. There's no doubt that he chose a fun loving song that everyone can enjoy but it's also a song that can reach a deep accord about one's own reflections about themselves. Had he chosen a more self deprecating song like "Breaking the Law" it would have also filled the same playful and humorous tone showing that he can make fun of himself rather than a song informing fans to look at him.
The Nationals boast the worst start to the 2009 season and the worst record in 2008 have been looking to improve relations with fans. They've provided more access and more appearances than other local franchises. Recently Dukes was late to Nationals Park due to meeting with a little league team. He was running five minutes late. For any other player without such a troubled past, it may have been overlooked. In Dukes case he received a fine and was told that any future such occurrence would result in a demotion to AAA minor league affiliate.
When Dukes was first signed, everyone at The DC Sports Page agreed that any such problems with the law, clubhouse, or franchise image shouldn't be tolerated. In this case, Dukes was performing good will in the community following the mantra the franchise set. The little league has since come forward offering to pay for the fine, but how do the Nationals correct the PR nightmare following the "Natinals" fiasco? They should instead make a donation to the little league and offer more player appearances.
The Nationals should also communicate better with one of their rising stars and entourages. It's difficult to believe that no one within the Nationals knew of Dukes itinerary or that no one within the Nationals entourage around Dukes called the front office to alert them of the situation. All of this could have been handled much more cleanly with better communication and a clear head.
The Nationals thrust two future stars into the media and fan spotlight in Milledge and Dukes. Both of them have now been late and Milledge has been sent to the minors after early season troubles in the outfield along with a slow start batting lead off. Are the players starting to tune Manny Acta out?
Manny often coddles starting pitchers by pulling them early and not training them to pitch past the middle innings. Is there one rule for some pitchers and not batters or some discussions versus abrupt discipline that's sent throughout the media? No one's arguing that a precedence shouldn't be set for allowing Dukes behavior to slide, but if he's following the rehabilitation prescription to a tarnished image that the Nationals are looking to change than why such a reaction? Does the punishment fit the crime? It's not an easy question to answer, but a quick response with such punishment seems excessive.
How does alienating one of the better performing players on the team by only showing the back of someone's hand with stern punishment encourage someone to continue to perform at such a high level when following the code of community work? Where's the one on one discussion of encouragement with an alternative form of punishment? It appears that Stan Kasten has much work ahead this season.
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