Incredible interview with Elijah Dukes

[houston-nat]

Bill Ladson has quietly put together some truly awesome stuff lately, culminating in today's interview with Elijah Dukes:

MLB.com: What does it mean to have Riggleman as your full-time manager this coming season?

Elijah Dukes: Well, the relationship that we have is right on. He would come up to everybody after the game and he would always say something encouraging. Because of the positive outlook that he had, we wanted to put out. Everybody wanted to do [well] for him, because he believed in everybody. So, I go into camp knowing that he is going to be the manager. He is going to sit there and give us 110 percent every day.

MLB.com: Once he became manager, you and Riggleman talked every day during the season. How much did that mean to you?

Dukes: He would come up and talk baseball with me. He wanted to see where my head was at. He would always encourage me to be more of a leader and go hard all the time. He told me to never give up and never skip a day. He doesn't want me to say, I came up short and regret it at the end of the day.

MLB.com: Riggleman also attended your father's wake. What was your reaction when you saw him?

Dukes: It meant a lot to me. I really wasn't expecting him to be there. I had tears in my eyes when I first saw him. I loved that he came out to show his respects. It made me feel good.

MLB.com: Did his arrival tell you that a manager cared for you?

Dukes: Oh, yeah. That was, by far, the most [heartwarming] thing a coach ever did, as far as that emotional standpoint. Riggleman coming down like that really puts the icing on the cake. He goes down as a good guy in my book. I don't care what [anybody] says. Nobody really does that type of thing nowadays. They send people, but to have the manager of a baseball team -- that means a lot to me.

MLB.com: What kind of year are you expecting to have? I think a lot of people expect big things from you this coming season.

Dukes: I expect big things out of myself. I'm disappointed when I get hurt and have long stints on the [disabled list]. What I'm focusing on this offseason is endurance. I want to have more endurance than I did last year, so I won't take those long stints on the DL. I'm trying to avoid a lot of those nagging injuries that I have been getting the last two years, so I can stay on the field and put up the numbers I'm capable of.

MLB.com: You will be arbitration-eligible after the 2010 season. How important is it to have that big year?

Dukes: It's always important to have a big year every year, but it's really most important to get this big year right now. This can basically change the whole lifestyle of my mother [Phyllis]. Putting up a big year can change her life a little faster than expected. It would be a good thing for me and kind of relieve the everyday stress off her, which she has gone through for the last 49 years.

She is the rock of our family. She holds me together. When I have doubt [in myself], she lets me know. She doesn't cut any corners. She will let you know how she feels. I got my vocal point from her. ... She wants everybody to respect people, so I had to change the way I was. I had to respect other people's feelings and the way people felt about me.

MLB.com: When you came back from the Minor Leagues, members of the local beat writers loved talking to you. What did that mean to you?

Dukes: That's good, but I sat down and I thought about the reason I was sent down. If I was doing my job, I wouldn't have been sent down. I couldn't get sent down if I was hitting .280 and drove in a lot of runs like I was supposed to do. I didn't blame anybody. I blamed myself. I just told myself that I needed to work harder, learn and really focus on every at-bat, every pitch and stop giving away at-bats.

I sometimes found myself taking it easy at times. I'm young and I'm trying to get into it. So I just listen to Riggleman and Foli.

MLB.com:You played in the Dominican Winter League not long ago and your swing looked much better. What are you doing differently?

Dukes: It's not a point of me hitting the curveball or the changeup. It's staying relaxed. I was relaxed because I didn't feel any pressure. [My feeling was], "Go and get the job done." I concentrated on every pitch. It was working. I was really seeing the ball good. I was really amazed because I wasn't hitting that much and it looked like I wasn't missing a beat. It's telling me it's more of a mental game.

MLB.com: I will understand if you don't want to talk about this. You had to leave the Dominican Republic because your father was ill. How are you holding up since he passed away?

Dukes: It's tough at times. At the same time, I keep going, because I have my little brothers and sisters. I basically have to keep going for them, too. It's tough. I try not to talk about him that much. At first, it was kind of tough.

MLB.com: What did your father mean to you?

Dukes: He basically taught me everything I knew about not quitting. He never let me quit on anything. It didn't matter what it was. He would come from work and watch me play on Saturdays. He always found a way to watch me play and show that support. You know what I mean? We did a lot of stuff together -- fishing and everything. That was the upside to my love. I was looking forward to doing things like we used to do. That's was really it.

MLB.com: I know he was proud that you went to the Major Leagues.

Dukes: Yeah. He was sent clippings and he was able to keep the clippings inside. He used to have a book that he used to carry around when clippings and stuff in it. There was a lady who went there and gave him the pictures. She said to my aunt, "He would say, 'This is my son,' and he would tear up and then he would just close [the book]."

MLB.com: Rizzo and Foli have been like father figures to you. In fact, Rizzo often gave you tough love.

Dukes: [Laughing] Yeah, he knows what it takes to get me to shut up and play. He would say, "Stop making excuses and just play." He said, "I'm not going to baby you. You know how I feel about you. I love you to death, but I'm going to treat you like you are a grown man." I was like, "All right, I can't really try to step over that line. I can't even flex it a little bit." He let me know that he is going to treat me like everybody else.

MLB.com: I know you liked that Foli, who was the Syracuse manager this past season, told you the truth when you were in the Minor Leagues.

Dukes: Foli is a straight shooter. He can kick a chair over, but at the same time he will do something to make you laugh. It's not like he is screaming mad. Normally, he will be making fun at you in front of me and everybody to laugh. He will say, "All right kid, make sure it doesn't happen again."

He would get on me, too. If I didn't go hard, he would tell me to play hard. Foli loves baseball. He's not going to allow anyone to sit back and depreciate the value of baseball.

MLB.com: You have received a lot of support from the fans in Washington. Is there anything you would like to say to them?

Dukes: I want to say I appreciate the love the fans give me all the time. That's why I sit there and sign autographs. I respect the way they cheer for me. I know they love the way I go hard. I try to give that respect to them by spending that extra time talking to them. I love the conversations I have with a lot of people. I got to meet some good people, too.

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100105&content_id=7877462&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

This is not the same Elijah Dukes. I thought it was funny that he said the team "puts out" for Riggleman, but that was unintentional of course. Wow, what class; beautiful that he wants to play well to get financial support for his mother after her husband's death. Not at all the interview I expected.

[PANatsFan]

Boy, did he ever grow up. I didn't realize that he was that smart and thoughtful. He sounds like he would actually be a great team leader if he stays healthy and plays hard.

I have always liked Bill Labrum, but I agree that his recent material is noticeably better.

[Nathan]

Bill Ladson has quietly put together some truly awesome stuff lately, culminating in today's interview with Elijah Dukes:
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100105&content_id=7877462&vkey=news_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

This is not the same Elijah Dukes. I thought it was funny that he said the team "puts out" for Riggleman, but that was unintentional of course. Wow, what class; beautiful that he wants to play well to get financial support for his mother after her husband's death. Not at all the interview I expected.

Kinda makes me cautiously optimistic that he is finally putting everything together in his head which will hopefully convert into success on the field.

[shoeshineboy]

That was a great interview. I'm actually curious what Dukes said that got replaced with the word "heartwarming". Dukes does need to step up, and hopefully both he and the team will get the benefits.

[natsfan4evr]

I really hate to sound skeptic, but is that verbatim? I've never read or heard anything that came out of Elijah's mouth that was that eloquent.

[PowerBoater69]

Wow, what class; beautiful that he wants to play well to get financial support for his mother after her husband's death.

No mention about supporting the four mothers of his five kids; guess they'll have to keep taking him to court to get deadbeat daddy Dukes to pay his child support.

[UMDNats]

Wow, really didn't expect that. Great interview.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Easy to say it, a lot harder to do it.

I wish him luck.

[Lintyfresh85]

Hope he keeps his nose clean.

Would love a Hammer-esque season out of him.

[Galah]

I think that's the longest interview I've seen with Dukes, sure hope he can put it all together.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I really hate to sound skeptic, but is that verbatim? I've never read or heard anything that came out of Elijah's mouth that was that eloquent.

Actually, with all the []s replacing verbatim, I don't doubt it is really his language.

[hammondsnats]

Very solid interview, nice work on Ladson's part and kudos to Dukes for being open on his end.

Also goes to show what kind of person Jim Riggleman is.   

[shoeshineboy]

Actually, with all the []s replacing verbatim, I don't doubt it is really his language.

That was one of the reason's why I was wondering about the [heartwarming] word and what he really said. In general though, these reporters have a tendency to print quotes verbatim, including poor grammar and such. So I think this is likely very accurate, taking into account that a lot of the MLB.com articles have typos due to a lack of editing, and this one is chock full of them. I have actually heard Elijah interviewed on the radio, and this interview doesn't seem doctored to make him sound differently. He seemed relatively articulate, even if his diction isn't the greatest.

[PANatsFan]

Diction can take coaching, eloquence takes smarts. I don't think the guy ever had much in the way of educational opportunities, but I didn't realize he was that smart and that effective a communicator. I think if he pulls it together he actually would have great leadership potential, because he can tell the young guys where he went wrong and what he did to pull it together.

[DPMOmaha]

If he is able to put it all together this year, the lineup takes a big step up.

[raleighnat]

I think there's a good guy in there that we're starting to see with some maturity and tough love from Riggs / Rizzo.  I think one thing that's clear is that we've got one hell of a GM.  I like his directness and fairness (in the sense of letting people know where they stand.)  This interview and what all of our signings say about this guy indicate a no-nonsense, trustworthy leader with good communication skills, confidence, and a habit of doing what he says.

As for Dukes, man I'm pulling for him.  I would love to see a guy like him rise above his background and overcome the challenges he's had in life to succeed both as a person and a ballplayer.

[tomterp]

If he is able to put it all together this year, the lineup takes a big step up.

Last season I was almost sure he was on the cusp of a real breakout season, but it didn't happen.  My hopes have not disappeared, but tempered quite a bit.  It would be great for the team, no question.  What a hole in our offense right field was last season.

[DPMOmaha]

Last season I was almost sure he was on the cusp of a real breakout season, but it didn't happen.  My hopes have not disappeared, but tempered quite a bit.  It would be great for the team, no question.  What a hole in our offense right field was last season.

No doubt.  I'm not saying I'm expecting it...

[CatsEye]

As for Dukes, man I'm pulling for him.  I would love to see a guy like him rise above his background and overcome the challenges he's had in life to succeed both as a person and a ballplayer.

               This......

               Great interview..... 

[Skip]

I really hate to sound skeptic, but is that verbatim? I've never read or heard anything that came out of Elijah's mouth that was that eloquent.

Verbatim.  I've listened and heard the young man on many fronts.  He has depth and has a thought provoking intelligence that many may not be aware of.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Verbatim.  I've listened and heard the young man on many fronts.  He has depth and has a thought provoking intelligence that many may not be aware of.

Yes. He proved that by texting a picture of a gun to his girl and by the throwing of the Gatorade.

[tomterp]

Yes. He proved that by texting a picture of a gun to his girl and by the throwing of the Gatorade.

Nobody said he can't be one pissed off mo-fo.

[UMDNats]

Yes. He proved that by texting a picture of a gun to his girl and by the throwing of the Gatorade.

If throwing gatorade means someone doesn't have thought-provoking intelligence, then just about every athlete ever is an idiot.

[PANatsFan]

Yes. He proved that by texting a picture of a gun to his girl and by the throwing of the Gatorade.

There's plenty of brilliant a-holes with anger management problems.

[JMW IV]

yeah we get it notld, you think differently than everyone else. and you disagree. and you have a right to express your opinion. and so on and so forth.