Akinori Iwamura
During a spring training game on March 12, 2008 against the Tampa Bay Rays, after safely reaching first due to an error, Duncan continued on to second base, spiking second baseman Akinori Iwamura who had caught the ball well before Duncan arrived. Iwamura sustained a cut above his right knee but was otherwise fine, and Duncan was tagged out regardless. Many believe that this was in response to Elliot Johnson's aggressive hit on Francisco Cervelli, which resulted in a broken wrist for the catcher. A bench-clearing brawl ensued, after which Duncan and Rays right fielder Jonny Gomes were ejected, as were two of the Yankees' coaches, Bobby Meacham and Kevin Long. On March 14, Duncan, teammate Melky Cabrera and Gomes were suspended for their actions on the field. Each of these three players' suspensions was reduced one day in length after they decided to drop their appeal of the suspensions.