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Sunday, February 01, 2009

MASN: Willie Harris tries to lead by example

Aside from being a leader on the field, Harris is trying to teach some of the younger players how to reach their potential, especially Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes.

“I try to rub off on a few guys. Work ethic doesn’t come over night. You have to have a goal and a dream of what you want to accomplish. Now that I have my 2-year deal, that’s not going to slow me down. I want more. I want Milledge to Milledge; I want Dukes to be Dukes. Those guys have all the potential in the world and if I can get Milledge in that weight room and help him to understand what he has to do, the sky’s the limit for those guys. If I can keep Dukes out of trouble because that’s what he’s known for, but I don’t think he’s a trouble maker. He’s a fun guy but he’s presumed the wrong way and a lot of people don’t understand him. We all know if Dukes plays 130 games, he would be amazing.”

Dukes, “a fun guy”? Well…Richard “The Mad Biter” Macek was known to have “good manners” as a youth.

Repoz Posted: February 01, 2009 at 02:33 PM | 7 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: General, Washington

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1. sbiel2 Posted: February 01, 2009 at 03:58 PM (#3065345)

Anyone who's watched Elijah in DC would agree with Willie's assessment. Dukes clearly enjoys the game, plays hard, has fun with his teammates, etc. I don't know what he was like in TB or in their farm system, but he's been a good teammate here. Willie Harris has no reason to speak up in Dukes's defense if he didn't believe it to be true. If you want to make a case that he's a bad guy, fine, but he's given no ammo for that argument since the day he came here.

2. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: February 01, 2009 at 05:10 PM (#3065364)

If you want to make a case that he's a bad guy, fine, but he's given no ammo for that argument since the day he came here.

He's clearly a bad guy, but that doesn't mean he can't be a good teammate and a good ballplayer.

3. thetailor Posted: February 01, 2009 at 06:08 PM (#3065385)

f I can get Milledge in that weight room

I get the feeling that some Milledge-hater is going to run with this.

4. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: February 01, 2009 at 07:10 PM (#3065416)

I didn't know Milledge was a verb.

5. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken (Dewey is a slacker) Posted: February 01, 2009 at 07:33 PM (#3065422)

I try to rub off on a few guys.

So does the guy on the subway. I don't find it admirable.

6. Chris Needham Posted: February 01, 2009 at 07:57 PM (#3065426)

I didn't know Milledge was a verb.

If only you were a 14-year old girl. Allegedly.

7. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: February 01, 2009 at 08:56 PM (#3065440)

Count the ring.

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Sunday, February 01, 2009

MASN: Willie Harris tries to lead by example

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