SOURCE SPORTS: ’86 Mets Legend Lenny Dykstra Could Face Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop In PA
Former Major League Baseball star and 1986 World Series champion Lenny Dykstra is once again facing legal trouble after Pennsylvania State Police said they discovered drugs and related paraphernalia in his possession during a New Year’s Day traffic stop. The incident has thrust the once-feared Mets outfielder back into the spotlight for reasons off the field, continuing a pattern of legal issues that have followed him since his playing days.
According to law enforcement, the traffic stop occurred early on New Year’s Day in Greene County, Pennsylvania, near where Dykstra, 62, currently resides. State Police pulled over a 2015 GMC Sierra for a motor vehicle code violation. Dykstra was a passenger in the vehicle when officers say they found him in possession of unspecified drugs and narcotic-related equipment. Though listed as the “arrestee” on the police report, he was not taken into custody at the scene and was not accused of being under the influence of any substance, according to authorities.
Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that charges will be filed, but they have not yet released specifics about the type of drugs allegedly involved or the exact charges pending. Dykstra’s attorney, Matthew Blit, told reporters that the vehicle did not belong to Dykstra and maintained that any charges would ultimately be dismissed. “To the extent charges are brought against him, they will be swiftly absolved,” Blit said in a prepared statement.
Dykstra’s storied career began when he was selected by the New York Mets in the 13th round of the 1981 MLB Draft. He quickly became known for his gritty style and competitive edge, earning a reputation as one of the most fearless players of his generation. Dykstra was a 3X All-Star and played a key role in the Mets’ 1986 World Series championship, helping to anchor a lineup that would go down in franchise lore.
After leaving the Mets in 1989, Dykstra went on to have productive seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, including a standout 1993 campaign where he finished second in MVP voting after leading the National League in multiple offensive categories. Across his 12-year career, he played in 1,278 games, hit 81 home runs, drove in 404 runs, and maintained a .285 batting average.
But his post-baseball life has been marked by a series of legal and personal problems. Dykstra has previously served time in prison for bankruptcy fraud, grand theft auto, and related financial crimes, and has faced a range of other charges over the years, including indecent exposure and unlawful business practices. In a highly publicized 2020 defamation lawsuit against former teammate Ron Darling, a judge noted Dykstra’s long history of legal issues and behavior controversies.
This latest incident, coming on a holiday and involving drugs and paraphernalia, will likely reignite questions about Dykstra’s life after baseball and how former professional athletes navigate fame, public scrutiny, and personal challenges long after their playing days are over.
As of now, formal charges have not yet been filed publicly, and there is no court date scheduled. Law enforcement sources say the investigation remains active, and further details could emerge as the legal process unfolds.