Lenny Dykstra is racking up the charges as fast as he used to rack up the bases. The former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies star has been charged with 25 misdemeanor and felony counts of grand theft auto, attempted grand theft auto, identity theft, and other crimes.
The latest charges are just another fall down the ladder of grace for the diminutive Dykstra who’s lived a more than moderate facade since retiring. Since calling it quits in 1998, Dykstra’s been sued by former business associates, distanced from his family, arrested for drugs, fraud, and theft, convicted of bankruptcy fraud, accused of sexual assault and racked up a mountain of debt.
Dykstra faces up to 12 years in state prison if convicted and is already on federal house arrest stemming from his bankruptcy fraud conviction.
Nicknamed “Nails” during his playing career, Dykstra’s post MLB life has been first ballot Hall of Shame worthy. One can only hope that Dykstra is tough as nails, because he’ll need to be for where he seems destined.
Dykstra has served as the role model of being too smart for your own good.