Dukes is getting it done
This just in, and its pretty cool, Elijah Dukes is getting it done. One of the most refreshing parts of the Nationals latest surge has been the play of outfielder Elijah Dukes.
Elijah has the potential to put up box score numbers like he did recently, all next year, every game: 2 HR 5 RBI. 3-3. Double. HR. 2 BB. 2 SB.
Get ready to see more of this from Dukes, numbers like: 9-4-2. That's right fielder to 2nd baseman to catcher. OUT. Not only does he hit home runs, but he also prevents runners from scoring with great outfield assists.
His place in the order now makes it difficult for pitchers to try to pitch around him. With Ryan Zimmerman hitting again and Lastings getting on base, teams can't afford to try to look past that part of the order. Dukes keeps the pressure on by drawing walks and showing a good eye at the plate, negating a pitcher's attempt at deception.
Imagining Dukes playing in a Nats uniform for 162 games puts a smile on the faces of Nats fans and Jim Bowden, too. This is what he envisioned for Elijah.
Bowden had been watching Dukes for a while before they got him from Tampa Bay. Dukes can be that instant offense the Nats need to quickly get runs on the board. And when the 3-4-5 hitters for the Nats are making contact, these solo homers will turn into 2 run and 3 run shots and help the Nats distance themselves from their opponents early in games.
This will allow the starters the chance not to have to nibble or be too precise, but to just throw with the confidence that one small mistake won't cost them the game.
I asked Bowden if Dukes' game was similar to rookie draft pick Destin Hood, the two sport athlete from Alabama, who also had a scholarship offer to play football with the Crimson Tide.
Bowden says Hood reminds him of Vladimir Guerrero when he was Destin's age, the way he can swing the bat with power. Lets see, Vlady has 389 career homers. That wouldn't be too bad, would it?
And in this fall weather, its always nice to watch Dukes play baseball like a football player. Running with reckless abandon into the outfield wall to make a catch. Going aggressively into each base and not afraid of contact. That's as fun to watch on the baseball diamond as it is on the gridiron.
It looks like the inaugural Eagle Bank (formerly Congressional) Bowl college football bowl game will not be played at Nationals Park, which had been rumored for awhile. The game will be played December 20th at RFK Stadium and pits a (hopefully) bowl eligible Navy vs an ACC opponent. Navy vs. Virginia? It could happen!
By the way, some really good college basketball will be on MASN December 7th as the BB&T Classic continues into its 14th season.
The doubleheader at the Verizon Center will begin at 5pm with Navy vs. Virginia Tech and then at 7:30 p.m., its George Washington against Maryland. Both games will be live on MASN. It's also for a very good cause, benefiting the Children's Charities Foundation.
The foundation has generated over 7 million dollars for at risk children in the Metro area. I know its not the Big 5 of Philly fame yet, but at least the Classic features all local teams drawing from four powerful alumni bases in the region.
This will be a Classic worth waiting for!
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