Lenny Dykstra: MLB Umpires Call BS On Extortion ... 'He's Full of Sh*t' | TMZ.com

 

Lenny Dykstra was lying through his teeth when he claimed he would blackmail MLB umpires into giving him favorable calls during his playing days ... this according to SEVERAL umps.

The drama unfolded Tuesday, when Dykstra went on "The Herd" and claimed he spent $500k on private investigators to spy on umps -- and used their secrets (including gay sex romps) as leverage to get calls during games, especially during the 1993 season.

But we spoke to 4 of the top umpires who worked in the Majors during that period who all say Lenny is out of his mind, period.

 

-- Greg Bonin (MLB umpire 1984 to 2001)

"He's smoking something. He's full of sh*t. He always was, but now more than ever. I've never heard anything like that from an umpire. Never.

"I've heard a lot of funny stuff, but that's gotta be the funniest. Those drugs must've really messed his head up."

 

-- Larry Barnett (MLB umpire 1969 to 1999)

"It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. He should've saved the money, he probably could've used it now. I was in professional baseball for a long time and I never heard something so stupid. It's ludicrous."

 

-- Jerry Layne (MLB umpire 1989 to present)

"Lenny Dykstra is out of his mind. "If you go back and look at every Lenny Dykstra at-bat something like that would stick out like a sore thumb."

"Think about it, how many times does a specific umpire come across Lenny Dykstra at the plate in a season? Put the math to it."

 

-- Paul Runge (MLB umpire 1973 to 1997)

"As much as baseball keeps an eye on the umpires, something like this couldn't happen. And if someone came to an ump and said, 'if you don't shrink the strike zone, I'm gonna expose you.' I think they'd go right to MLB, and that player would be out of baseball in a flash."

Brian McCann just had a stroke

The book "Breaking National League Rules" will be out on eBook soon.

So from 86 when he entered the league to 91 he made just slightly over $4M. I'm not sure I believe he had $500K laying around to pay a firm.

Dykstra's a tool bag...no way he flipped $500k to any private dick to find anything and no way he didn't his hat handed to him if thought about this...to be honest, I don't think he's smart enough to figure out how to blackmail someone....zero credibility.

I guess my question is why is Dykstra bringing this up now? Is he writing a book? If you think about it, I bet A LOT of MLB umpires have affairs and if a private detective was following them around, they could be exposed. These guys are on the road basically all summer long. They only get a few weeks off during the season and don't have "home stands" like the players. It is just human nature that some of them would have a lady in each city...or some of them (Dave Pallone perhaps) a man in each city. As far as gambling goes, ever hear of Tim Donaghy (NBA ref)? If he could go on for a long time unnoticed, I think a MLB ump could just as easily. It would actually be easier for a home plate ump to affect a game then than now as with technology, they are under more scrutiny now on every pitch.

 

I am not saying it happened (Dykstra is a tool...no doubt). I do think it is plausible though.

I know there was an umpire involved in a law suit and he settled the claim with sort of a gag order for the other side to keep things quiet regarding his sexcapades.

I don't really believe this, but then again it is Lenny Dykstra.

Someone call Jose Canseco and verify this story.

 

A lot of Canseco's story has been verified!! Doesn't make him an angel but makes him correct.