Duke Less

Unfortunately, the Nationals apparently did not make the decision to part ways with troubled OF Elijah Dukes because of his poor character and history. More's the pity. The Nats could have taken a stand and shown that professional sports is about more than just performance on the field but how a player repeatedly handles himself off of it. And whether he can be a positive role model to the fans, community and youngsters that follow the team.  

What's really sad is the Nationals' front office is going out of its ways to say the decision had nothing to do with off-the-field behavior. The question is, why didn't it? Moreover, the Nats seem to be taking a very short-sighted view about Dukes and the notion of no "recent" off the field problems, other than... you know, the four arrests for assault and battery, the five children fathered with four different women, the threat to kill his wife resulting in a restraining order, and impregnating his 17 year-old foster care daughter.  But hey, in the Nats' world view - none of that happened this off-season. And his negative influence was tolerated until he couldn't start for them anymore.