Manny Acta is not a member of the Elijah Dukes Fan Club.

 

It's just Manny being Manny.

According to Chico Harlan, Manny Acta has (somewhat inexplicably) given Lastings Milledge a vote of confidence -- and starting job in center -- while Elijah Dukes continues to be forced to compete against Austin Kearns for the "open" RF job (via Nationals Journal 4/1/2009):

Manny Acta made it very clear today that left field (Adam Dunn) and center field (Lastings Milledge) are settled. The only starting position up for grabs remains in right field, where either Elijah Dukes or Austin Kearns will win the job.

Now add this to the equation: Dukes, Acta said, "is struggling right now. Period."

Spring struggles for Dukes aside, we're trying to come up with a plausible theory for why Acta hasn't given Dukes the same sort of public blessing as he gave to Milledge (also struggling this Spring). And why Kearns? What about Willingham? Did Acta simply flip a coin? Pull names out of a hat? Is it as simple as this: Manny Acta just doesn't like Elijah Dukes? Maybe Manny is still holding a grudge for that June 11th, 2008 screaming match?

(Picture of Manny Acta and Elijah Dukes Dugout Blowout on TV on June 11, 2008 by The Nationals Enquirer staff)

Comments

[Willie]

We have long been suspect of Manny Acta. He's not good. In fact, he's bad.

Fire Manny Acta.

[Anonymous]

Kearns has had a very good spring, while Dukes is struggling. How would it look for Manny to take a job away from a veteran who's playing well and guarantee it to a younger player who's struggling? That's why there's still competition for the RF job. Kearns may win it to start the season, but as soon as he tails off a bit they'll bring Dukes on. And assuming Dukes is no longer struggling at that point, Kearns will be Wally Pipped.

In CF, though, even though Milledge is struggling there's no one pushing him for the job. Dukes, you say? Um, he's struggling too.

If anyone's getting shafted right now, it's Willingham, not Dukes.

[Will]

Anonymous, it would look perfectly acceptable.
How would it look if you took the job away from the most promising youngster on your team, who put up fantastic numbers last year, and give it to a veteran who's failed to impress in three years, and also posted a friggin .217 AVG?

If Acta makes such a boneheaded decision, I won't be too far behind Willie.

[The Nationals Enquirer]

With Kearns, regardless of his Spring performance (and his spring numbers indicate he's outperformed the entire Nats OF logjam), you know what you're getting. Even if he's healthy going into '09, we've all seen enough to know he's just a pedestrian major leaguer. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing to see here. Now, Kearns apologists will have you write off 2008: "He was injured!" But he was nothing more than average in ~900 ABs from "The Trade" up through 2007.

Meanwhile, with Dukes (a guy who would no doubt benefit from a vote of confidence and extra pat on the back, maybe more than Milledge, and you'd think Manny would know that)-- nobody really knows what you're getting. He is, as Will said earlier, arguably the most promising youngster on the team (as far as position players go).

So far, the "solution" to the OF Logjam just doesn't compute. We're confused. Granted, 162 games is a long time - things will shake out, chips will fall where they may. We just hope Dukes gets a fair shot.

[The Nationals Enquirer]

Also - to Willie's comment: if comments on various boards and blogs are a true indication of reality, there seems to be a little groundswell (or maybe a blip?) of support for the "Fire Manny Acta" cause. We're still not sure what to make of him, but we're not even close to being there yet.

[Fire Manny Supporter]

Doesn't matter how you attempt to paint it. After this year, Acta has to be replaced. And for anyone thinking this "guy" is playing fair, I have beach front property in Alaska I'm trying to sell. We suspected crap such as this was going to happen. Everyone in the League knew of Bowden's rep. And to have your current skipper come out and say "he never like that guy bringing in problem players" WTF? I appreciate the fact that he said it, because it only confirms what we've suspected. BTW, Rizzo you better start looking at the windsock as well, if not this whole cast of characters are doomed.