Lenny Dykstra was always a fireplug when he roamed center field for the
Phillies. Now, in his post-baseball career, Dykstra is making big bucks - likely
even more money than he made as a player - as an entrepreneur. Unfortunately for
Dykstra, he's in the spotlight not for his business success, but for legal
issues. And now, those legal issues have led to some Dykstra-like comments that
focused the spotlight even harder on Dykstra.
The legal issue stems from an outstanding bill that Dykstra said was
"insane". The lawsuit was brought by DDK and Company who said that Dykstra owed
them $139,000 for doing a tax return. The suit was scheduled for Manhattan
Federal Court and Dykstra had said he was looking forward to the opportunity to
fight the claims. It turned out that the two sides settled just before the
arguments were set to begin, ushering Dykstra into his opportunity for what is
sure to become a famous quote.
When announcing that a settlement - the details of which were kept secret -
had been reached, Dykstra refused to comment on the terms, but said only "DDK
folded like Mitch Williams in the ninth."
Poor Mitch Williams. The guy will never live down that one pitch to Joe
Carter in the 1993 World Series. To his credit though, Williams has stayed in
Philadelphia, serving as a commentator on the Phillies pre-game radio shows and
hosting his own show on Philadelphia's WIP radio. He also markets his own brand
of salsa.
Actually, the two players have taken somewhat similar paths in their days
after their playing careers. Both have had success as entrepreneurs, but Dykstra
chose to head to California to pursue his post-baseball career, while Williams
has stayed close to his playing career home. Dykstra's entrepreneurial pursuits
have been focused on more high-end pursuits, including a new plan to launch a
line of Rolls Royce branded private airplanes that would sell for $60 million
each. Williams pursuits have kept him closer to the fan base and he spends much
of his time talking to fans about his career and answering questions about that
infamous pitch to Joe Carter.
It's funny that during their playing days, Dykstra was much more the fan
favorite than was Williams. Since they've retired though, Williams has actually
turned his agonizing moment with the Phillies into somewhat of a badge of honor.
He's never hid away from answering questions about the World Series or anything
else that fans have wanted to throw at him. That type of bravado is something
that Phillies fans respect and Williams has found his way into the hearts of
fans.