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Acta Clearly Ain’t Scared of Nobody
By Chris Mottram | June 11, 2008
Let’s get the formalities out of the way: Last night was a fantastic win for the Nats — the type of victory that keeps us watching one of the worst teams in baseball. They came back to win the game thanks to a go-ahead homer from Lastings with two outs in the 9th. Now, to the good shit. Elijah Dukes and Manny Acta going at it in the dugout after said homer:
It’s one thing to yell in your manager’s face, but to leave a man hangin’ like that on the slapping of hands? Not cool, brah. So, what was Acta so pissed about? Let’s turn to the man on the scene, WaPo’s Chico Harlan:
One note about today’s game story, and I mention this only as a tail-between-legs explanation. You’ll notice it focuses on the game-winning home run but gives short shrift to something Nats fans are probably curious about — a post-home run disagreement between Manny Acta and Elijah Dukes.
Bottom line, I missed it (with great regret) because I had my head down at the computer, trying to make deadline.
Deep sigh. Stupid newspapers and their stupid “deadlines.” I guess we must reluctantly turn to The Times for some sort of explanation (via The Nationals Enquirer, because we don’t read The Times):
As Dukes and Milledge crossed the plate, Dukes looked back at Capps (who blew his first save in 16 tries this season) in a move that could have been perceived as taunting the opposing pitcher.
When Dukes returned to the dugout, Acta had words for him. Dukes yelled back at his manager, prompting Acta to yell back himself and players to get between the two.
Dukes later took his position in right field for the bottom of the ninth with a menacing glare in his eyes, forcing Milledge at one point to come over and try to calm him down.
“It was just a little misunderstanding in the dugout that I’m not going to elaborate on,” Acta said. “We talked, and everything is fine.”
Now, before you get all white and uppity, and start calling Dukes a “thug,” or whatever other borderline racism you wanna hurl in his direction, consider this comment on Chico’s blog last week from someone calling himself Steven on Capital Hill:
Since Elijah can’t say it, I will:
“Bite me. My dad’s in jail for killing someone for selling bad crack to my mom. You think I shouldn’t have any anger. Screw you. Walk a mile in my shoes, and if you make it to 23 and are still alive, then we can talk. I’m not dead, I’m not in jail, and I just hit a game winning homer. I let a out a little rage in your direction. You’re lucky I’m not the total sociopath that people say I am and that most people would become if they lived my life. If I was, I’d just pop a cap in your white ass. I didn’t create the dysfunction and poverty in America’s cities, I’m just trying to overcome it. So, in conclusion, bite me.”
So yeah, that might help explain why he’d have a “menacing glare in his eyes” from time-to-time.
Topics: Manny Acta, Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Man-Children, Nationals |
4 Responses to “Acta Clearly Ain’t Scared of Nobody”
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June 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
I’m really feeling this post. Not only for its honesty, but for the tinge of black nationalism as well.
Good job, CM.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Uh….okay?
So that still explains the ‘You Dead Dawg’ incident?
Plenty of people grow up with sob stories…..you don’t see cats like Juan Dixon doing any of that bull shit.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I’m simply saying that given his background, and that fact that he’s still only 23, I can understand why the man might have some anger issues.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Having anger issues is one thing, but not giving your manager five because the two of you argued is JV.