[EmpireWF]

First I'm hearing about this but Dukes allegedly left a threatening voicemail on his wife's phone threatening to kill her and their children. Since discovering this, the Devil Rays have done nothing as far as disciplinary action goes.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports says it's time for MLB to take action against domestic abusers instead of sitting isle.

So in the next week or two, Sternberg must make a decision. He can send the message that Major League Baseball and the players' association refuse to.

Sternberg can stand up and say that the Devil Rays were forced to get rid of Elijah Dukes because the suspension that they felt had plenty of "just cause" was not permissible.

"I'd like to think, in a perfect world," Sternberg said, "he can be part of (our organization) and we can be part of helping him overcome and deal with the issues he's got – make him a good, productive citizen and father and husband and whatever it is he would like to do. That's a perfect world."

It certainly is.

Though as Sternberg knows, Major League Baseball's world is anything but.

[vincesanity82]

Judge bars Dukes from contacting wife for one year

Tampa Bay rookie outfielder Elijah Dukes has been barred from contacting his wife for a year, and a judge also offered to order Dukes to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he's allowed to see the couple's two young children.Following Wednesday's ruling by Hillsborough Circuit Judge William Levens in Plant City, Fla., NiShea Gilbert said she has filed for divorce from Dukes, who allegedly made death threats against her and the children.
"The next step is to do what's right for the kids, finalize the divorce and move on from this and close this chapter in my life," Gilbert said, according to the St. Petersburg Times, outside of court.
I feel a little more comfortable," Gilbert said. "But I'm sure I'll still have some rough nights."
Dukes agreed to the terms of the protective order, the Times reported, citing Dukes' attorney Tamara Dudley. Dukes did not attend the hearing.

ESPN - Wife of Dukes gets protective order, seeks divorce

[MJHMarc]

It's always a surprise to see young rookies fighting in court.

[ThePundit]

Rumor has it the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are open to trading troubled outfielder Elijah Dukes. He's just 22 and has show pop with 10 homers in 183 at bats.

He comes with baggage, however. Dukes is reportedly facing paternity issues with a sixth child born to a fifth different woman, the latest being a teenager who told police Dukes got her pregnant during consensual sex while she was a 17-year-old foster child at the home of Dukes' step-grandmother

Devil Rays may not put up with Dukes - Rumors - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

6 kids to 5 different women? Man...I wouldn't want him on my team...You don't have to be a choir boy, but jeez!

[azrael492]

He better hope somebody wants him. |It sounds like he has a lot of child support to pay out.

I used to know a guy that had 11 kids. 3 of them were the same age by 3 different women.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by azrael492

He better hope somebody wants him. |It sounds like he has a lot of child support to pay out.

I used to know a guy that had 11 kids. 3 of them were the same age by 3 different women.

Interesting, Aarael...What is the mind set of a guy like that? How does he rationalize his behavior?

[EmpireWF]

Perhaps Mr. Dukes is playing the wrong sport. Sounds more like a NBA player.

....zing!

[ThePundit]

I just never understood how somebody could be soooo irresponsible and just go on with their daily lives without a care.....No wonder our culture is falling apart.

[ThePundit]

Troubled Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes could face up to one year in jail on a charge of violating a protective court order his estranged wife obtained after she said the 23-year-old rookie threatened her and the couple's children.

Dukes charged with violating protective order - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

His trade value just went up...

[Lefty Noob]

Geez, why is this guy even still in baseball?