Duane Whitley: Player Spotlight

JohnC · Post by **JohnC** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 1:12 pm

Born in Raleigh, NC, Duane Whitley was drafted by the Des Moines Kernals in the 4th round of the 1995 draft. Yes, that is right. The 4th round. He was traded to the Blazers on April 30th, 1998. He burst onto the scene in 2001 hitting .356 with 34HR’s and 119 RBI as a rookie. This lead to Whitley winning the Joe Gillstrom Newcomer of the Year award. In the 6 years that followed, he has continued to tear the cover off the ball. His best season being 2002 when he hit .394 with 34HR’s and 123 RBI. “Coming to Montreal was the best thing that could have happened to me. They allowed me to develop at my own pace and brought me up at just the right time,” said Whitey. Living in a city like Montreal was a bit of a culture shock after growing up in NC, there is just so much to do hear. I love it,” added Whitley.

The recent dismantling of the Blazers roster certainly hit home for Whitley. “I had some interest in him for sure, but I was not going to deal him without talking to him first,” said GM Callahan. At only 30yrs old the thought is that Whitley may still be around if the Blazers can become a contender again in the next few seasons. Especially with the recent announcement that the league will start using a DH next season. “Well, I hope I am still playing when that day comes,” said Whitley. While under contract until 2009, with a player option for 2010, Whitley hasn’t looked past that date. “You just never know where I will be then. Maybe I will want to keep playing, maybe not,” commented Whitley.

If Whitley can continue to put these kind of numbers for the next several season then a trip to the Hall of Fame certainly seems like a good possibility. “That is not something that I even think about at the moment. It’s a long way away,” said Whitley. For now, he will have to be content to watch the playoffs on TV for the first time in 4 years. “That will be tough for sure. I am not used to be don playing ball so early in the fall,” he said. Asked what he will spend his offseason doing Whitley replied “Get out of this cold Montreal winter and do some golfing”.

YouTube · Post by **recte44** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 1:17 pm

Pretty good chance of being a Hall of Famer if he continues at this pace. Not bad for a 4th round pick. The 1995 Draft was loaded.

felipe · Post by **felipe** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 1:30 pm

Poor Ben Rivera...hard to live thsi deal down...http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... _2867.html

trmmilwwi · Post by **trmmilwwi** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:25 pm

I hope golf doesn't ruin his swing!! Good writeup... even better player!!

wualumni · Post by **wualumni** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:20 pm

I remember making the trade for him and it was cool watching him develop into a stud.

Jason Martin
GM - California Crusaders

YouTube · Post by **recte44** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:26 pm

felipe wrote:Poor Ben Rivera...hard to live thsi deal down...http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... _2867.html

Horrific deal.

YouTube · Post by **recte44** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:27 pm

felipe wrote:Poor Ben Rivera...hard to live thsi deal down...http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/O ... _2867.html

Horrific deal. Though no one seemed to object at the time:
http://baseballretrospective.com/MBBA/p ... tley#p7106

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