Former MLB player Lenny Dykstra is facing drug-related charges following a traffic stop in Pennsylvania on New Year’s Day, according to state police.
Dykstra, 62, was riding as a passenger when a Pennsylvania State Trooper stopped the vehicle in Pike County, about 25 miles east of Scranton, where he lives.
Police said troopers allegedly discovered drugs and paraphernalia during the stop. Authorities plan to file charges but have not specified the substances involved.
Police outline New Year’s Day stop
Pennsylvania State Police said a trooper from the Blooming Grove patrol unit conducted the stop on January 1.
In a brief statement, police confirmed that Dykstra was not driving the vehicle. They added that he was not taken into custody at the scene.
Authorities did not provide further details on the nature of the alleged drugs or when formal charges will be filed.
Lawyer denies wrongdoing
Dykstra’s attorney, Matthew Blit, issued a statement pushing back strongly on the allegations.
“The vehicle did not belong to Lenny, and any charges brought against him will be swiftly absolved,” Blit said.
He also stressed that police did not accuse Dykstra of being impaired.
“Lenny was not accused of being under the influence of any substance at the scene, nor was he arrested or taken into custody at the scene,” Blit added.
Dykstra built a reputation as one of baseball’s most intense competitors during his MLB career with the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.
Nicknamed “Nails,” he played a key role in the Mets’ 1986 World Series title and became known for his aggressive style, speed, and relentless approach at the plate.
After retiring from baseball, Dykstra moved into business ventures. However, his post-playing years have repeatedly brought him into legal trouble.
Previous legal issues span more than a decade
Dykstra has faced multiple legal cases since leaving the sport.
He served time in a California prison after a bankruptcy fraud conviction tied to hiding assets, including memorabilia from his playing days. That sentence ran alongside penalties related to grand theft auto and filing false financial statements.
In 2012, Dykstra pleaded no contest to indecent exposure charges involving women he met online.
In 2019, his company pleaded guilty to illegally renting rooms in a New Jersey property, resulting in fines. That same year, a judge dismissed drug and threat charges linked to an altercation with an Uber driver.
A separate defamation lawsuit he filed against former teammate Ron Darling was dismissed in 2020.
