Elijah Dukes does good; still gets fined

Often troubled Nationals centerfielder Elijah Dukes was fined $500 by the Nats for being late to their game on Saturday. Usually this kind of punishment for such behavior would be justifiable, especially with Duke’s long list of infractions, but this time, Elijah may have been punished for doing something good. A shocker I know.

Turns out Dukes was speaking to the Great Falls Little League and the event caused him to be late to the game. Even more amazing, Great Falls Little League president Jim Mraz says the League will pay his $500 fine.

"The point is, this guy gave back to our community, and now he's in a hard spot. We need to help him," said Jim Mraz, the Great Falls LL president, according to the Post. "It's not a question of whether this guy can afford the 500 bucks. We're just trying to send a message to our kids: He was here for us. Now we've got to be there for him."

The Nats are staying steadfast in their punishment because the community outreach was not sponsored by the team itself and because Dukes had been warned about his tardiness in the past. (Photo: AP; source)

UPDATE: As if this Elijah Dukes story isn't enough by PR for the Nats, they had a minor jersey malfunction during their game on Friday. They just can't get no respect. Unless they are playing the Braves, but that's another story for this blog to deal with.
(Photo: AP)