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Forum: Talk Rays
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CHICAGO—Rays owner Stuart Sternberg made his first public remarks on the Elijah Dukes issue prior to today’s game at U.S. Cellular Field.
Sternberg, with his wife and four children along on the trip, said his first reaction when he heard of the allegations against Dukes was to cut ties with him immediately. But he took a step back and is still weighing what’s best for Dukes, his family and the team. Sternberg indicated he didn’t necessarily want to abandon the troubled player, as the Rays provide some stability that might help him and his family get back on track. But keeping him around might not be in the best interests of the team.
Either way, Sternberg said Dukes isn’t out of the woods just yet. He planned to talk with the player sometime today but said it wouldn’t be an inquiry, just a discussion. As for what—if anything—comes next, everyone will have to wait and see.
“No doors have been closed at this point,” said Sternberg. “When we make whatever decision we will make, we are going to do it with the confidence that we’re feeling it’s in the best interests of the parties involved, and we will move on. We will move on with Elijah as a member of the Devil Rays organization that we will give as much assistance to as we possibly can and somebody to help him through whatever issues he has, or we will move on and he won’t be part of the Devil Rays organization and we will do really fine and everything will be great. I’d like to think in a perfect world he can be part of all that and we can be part of helping him overcome and deal with the issues he’s got and make him a good, productive citizen and father and husband and whatever it is he would like to do. That’s a perfect world. That’s what we’re striving towards.”
Posted by Adam Alvarez, Tampa on 05/27 at 09:55 PM
The initial penalty for taking steroids is a fifty game suspension. Threatening someone is what…overlooked? This guy should be checked for weapons before entering the clubhouse. Better yet…kick him out of the clubhouse. Although since abandoning him at this point won’t help him, put him in Durham. Bring him back when and only when he learns what’s right.
Posted by Mike Baluja, Tampa on 05/27 at 07:53 PM
The only reason this has blown up the way it has is 1 reason the LOCAL MEDIA. Any other player in the Majors with a personal problem like this no one finds out about it unless the MEDIA needs ratings for that day. All this does is hurt the kids involved.
Posted by Dominick Alesandrini, Tampa on 05/27 at 07:49 PM
Hey Ron, The dry cleaners called. Your robes is ready for your meeting tonight. Don’t forget your cross.
Posted by Ron Hubbard, Tampa on 05/27 at 05:34 PM
Sternberg says they don’t want to give up on Dukes yet?........hahahaah…..Can we say Josh Hamilton who didn’t hurt anyone or threaten anyone other than himself. This guy Dukes is nothing but a ghetto thug who will eventually wind up in jail so kick his butt to the curb and let him go back to the hood.
Posted by Kay Cohen, Riverview on 05/27 at 04:54 PM
Good for the Rays. I think that they are doing all the right things and trying to work with Dukes, the team, the MLB Union and the Fans.
Posted by Dominick Alesandrini, Tampa on 05/27 at 04:20 PM
I hope that while Mr. Sternberg plays judge and jury, he considers how he would feel if his ex -wife tried to make him live off of $1,300 mo.. And how slanted the press has been against Dukes just because he spoke back to reporters. Yet because he refuses to air his personal problems in the press and she has, he’s the bad guy. I’m not saying he is without fault, but she needs to quit speaking to the press and keep things personal before he gets fired and she winds up with nothing. He deserves an opportunity to straighten his life out. He has worked hard to make it where he is, he should not be cast aside because of personal problems. Gooden and Strawberry were given a chance, Dukes deserves the same.
Posted by Charles Phillips, Tampa on 05/27 at 03:34 PM
Unfortunately, guys like Elijah Dukes very rarely change. Most likely the Devil Rays will have no choice but to unload him sooner or later.
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Posted by Nick Vellas, Tampa on 05/28 at 09:48 AM
Once ALL the facts come out I’m sure the Rays will make the right decision. While I don’t condone threatening anyone you have to take things in context. If your significant other did what she did you probably would have reacted the same way. It was his initial reaction and he didn’t follow through. If he in any way hurt her I agree with you Adam send him packing, but would you suspend a player for just SAYING he wanted to do steroids? Anyway we will just have to wait and see and not pre-judge the situation without knowing all the facts.