Phillies' Dykstra Sent Packing by Agent - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Phillies’ Dykstra Sent Packing by Agent

Share via

In a highly unusual move, it was the agent who fired the star this time.

Fed up with Philadelphia Phillie center fielder Lenny Dykstra’s behavior, agent Alan Meersand said Wednesday that he is ending their 13-year working agreement.

“I’m not going to condone his conduct or defend it anymore,†said Meersand, who resides in Manhattan Beach. “We all make our mistakes, but this guy is completely out of control.

“I think the way Lenny’s going, he’s going to self-destruct.â€

Dykstra, a Garden Grove native who helped lead the Phillies to the World Series last season, was involved in a publicized quarrel Dec. 22 with Pennsylvania Sen. Earl Baker. In recent years, Dykstra also has been investigated by the Commissioner’s office for gambling, and was charged in 1991 with drunk driving after an automobile accident that caused him to miss 61 games because of injuries.

Advertisement

Meersand’s decision comes a month after negotiating a four-year, $24.9-million contract extension that made Dykstra the highest-paid leadoff hitter in baseball history.

Advertisement