Elijah Dukes Needs to Call Uncle Sheffield

OK, Gary Sheffield isn't actually Elijah Dukes' kind old uncle, but he may as well be. In many ways, Dukes has followed Sheffield's footsteps, from growing up in Tampa and attending the same high school to experiencing a controversy-filled start to his big league career (although Dukes' controversy has been of the more violent variety). Because of their hometown connection, they've trained together in past offseasons, and Sheffield wouldn't be opposed to lending a helping hand again.

"We all need somebody to help us through our youth," Tigers star - and Tampa native - Gary Sheffield said.

Sheffield knows Dukes. It's more than the Hillsborough High connection. They've worked out together in Tampa in offseasons. They talk now and again, though not about this latest incident. Sheffield said he wants to hear Dukes tell the story, though he won't ask him for it.

"I'm no authority figure, like you've got to listen to me," Sheffield said. "I just want to help him.

"I just don't want it to get out of control," he added. "When you start with the threats and the guns, that can get out of control. If you're talking about arguing with the umpires or something you're later going to regret, all of that can be fixed. ... When it starts going a little higher, then it gets a little scary for me and I get nervous." ...

"It saddens me because it's starting out this way for him," Sheffield said. "When I get the phone calls, and I get them regular about him, it saddens me."

You hear that, Elijah? No matter how bad you think things are going, it's not like there's a tape of your wife, R. Kelly and some other woman having a threesome floating around. Things could be worse. A lot worse ... yet Sheff is still able to take it all in stride.

(via Ballhype)

Previously on FanHouse:
Elijah Dukes Allegedly Threatens Wife and Kids