Phillies former All Star Lenny Dykstra facing myriad of charges
By David Hill
Former Philadelphia Phillies All Star Lenny Dykstra is facing up to ten years in prison due to a myriad of charges stemming from an arrest in May.
Lenny Dykstra just cannot stay out of the news. From his previous arrests, convictions for fraud and assualt and lewd conduct, to his detailing his PED usage, seeing the former Philadelphia Phillies All Star’s name appear in the headlines is usually not a portent of anything positive. Every once in a while, there is some humor, such as when he tried to slide into Lena Dunham’s DMs on Twitter.
From then, Dykstra had been relatively quiet. For him, that is a step in the right direction – no news means he is staying out of jail and keeping out of trouble. Except, he cannot continue staying on the straight and narrow for long. Eventually, Dykstra will find trouble.
That tranquility was shattered in May, when Dykstra was arrested for threatening an Uber driver when the former Phillies star attempted to change his destination, and the driver refused. The fallout from that incident has come through, with Dykstra facing charges for possession of cocaine and meth, as well as a terrorist threat charge.
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It did not have to be this way. Dykstra actually had a chance to walk away from the terroristic threats charge, with a plea deal of non-custodial probation. However, he turned down that offer, maintaining his innocence of the charges. As Dykstra turned that offer down, it is no longer on the table, should he reconsider.
Instead, he now faces up to ten years in prison if found guilty. His prior convictions, including that federal charge of fraud, will work against him when it comes to sentencing. No matter how much he maintains his innocence, Dykstra is gambling that others will see things his way.
If not, it will be a sad state of affairs for the former Phillies legend. His stature as a three time All Star, and a runner up for the 1993 NL MVP, likely will not help him in the court of public opinion. His past behavior, and penchant for finding trouble, could be held against him. If he is still chasing after Dunham, a prison stint will not help his chances.
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Former Phillies All Star Lenny Dykstra is facing up to ten years in prison. It could have been far less, if not for his ego and insistence that he did nothing wrong.