Atlanta Braves Outfielder Nick Markakis and Other Necks
Chris Duncan might be remembered more for being legendary pitching coach Dave Duncan’s son, but he also had a couple of serviceable years underneath his dad and Tony LaRussa in St. Louis. Duncan mashed over 20 homers in each of his first two seasons as a big leaguer, with a respectable walk to strikeout rate that let his horrid defensive play slide.
In July of 2008, Duncan began experiencing pains in his arms and neck after an awful start to the season, and by August was headed for surgery to repair the herniated disk in his neck. The surgery was a success, but his further career in the Majors was not. After another slow start to the 2009 season, Duncan was traded to the Red Sox, assigned to AAA, and he was released before the season ended. After a year in the minors with the Nationals in 2010, Duncan has never apart of another major league organization.
Duncan had his surgery in August of 2008, allowing him ample time to recover over the offseason and he was able to start baseball activities in the spring on time.
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