Former MLB center fielder Lenny Dykstra retired from the game back in 1998, but this week he's making news for what a former employee is saying about him. A year ago, Dykstra launched a magazine called the Player's Club, which targets professional athletes and can usually be found in locker rooms and on chartered planes. But now, some are dumping the mag because of a tell-all piece by Kevin Coughlin in GQ detailing what it was like working for Dykstra."At one meeting, Lenny goes off on how a particular layout looks 'faggy,' despite the presence of a gay page designer in the room. (Later, Lenny says to me: 'Did you see the look on that fag's face?')," Coughlin wrote in the piece. "On another occasion, I field a call from Lenny about potential cover subjects while I'm at home; Lenny's on speaker when he proudly states, 'For both my wife and me, that nobody can call me a racist --I put three darkies and a b*tch on my first four covers."
The first four Players Club covers featured Derek Jeter, Chris Paul, Tiger Woods and Danica Patrick.
"What was that, Lenny?" Coughlin asks.
"I said I put three spearchuckers on the cover!" Dykstra allegedly replies.
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Coughlin's article caught the attention of some powerful people, including Arthur Triche, vice president of public relations for the Atlanta Hawks. He's looking to put Dykstra out of business.
"His magazine was (and I emphasize, WAS) a staple in our team's locker room whenever it was sent to us, but from now on, it will go right into the garbage dump, and as the Hawks' vice president of public relations and the first African American PR director in the NBA, I assure you none of my players will ever speak to anyone associated with this magazine," Triche wrote in an e-mail, according to Maynard Institute's Richard Prince. "And before it's all said and done, I will be speaking with Billy Hunter of the NBAPA [National Basketball Association Player's Association] and the new executive director of the NFLPA [NFL Players Association] regarding this. Maybe he'll get the message then."
Of course, Dykstra is denying all of the accusations, saying that Coughlin is just mad because he got fired.
"Everything in there is a lie," Dykstra told the NY Daily News. "I'm not going down in the dirt with this guy. He's [ticked] off because he got fired. He was masquerading as a photo editor. I lived with [Darryl] Strawberry and [Dwight] Gooden. I'm not reducing myself to this. What a crazy thing."
Who do you believe?
Comments: (97)
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By: carol on 3/26/2009 12:07PM
of course he will deny what he said. did anyone or does anyone think that coward would stand up in public and say what he said, of course not. see money has only one color and that's what talks. I hope the darkies put his you know what out of business.
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By: Steve on 3/26/2009 2:11PM
So you automatically believe the disgruntled employee without any proof? Grow up!!!!
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By: Carol K on 3/26/2009 2:23PM
Dykstra has African-American friends, a long record of tolerance, and a great reputation. The bad guys here are a disgruntled employee and a PR manager for the Hawks who has convicted Dykstra on one person's say so.
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By: dave on 3/26/2009 2:11PM
Carol - Whether he did it or not, he's going to deny it, so the logic to your statement is non-existent. What I'd like to know, is what makes you so sure he did say it? The disgruntled ex-employee isn't exactly an unbiased source. LD's been around the league and in the public eye for 20+ years, and this is the first time anyone ever heard him saying these things. I'm always more skeptical of the person who's doing the talking than the one who's being talked about.
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By: RJ on 3/26/2009 2:23PM
I agree. How do we know that he said it? Should we condemn someone without any proof? Has anyone ever accused you of something that you did not do? How did it feel?
I have been accused many times of saying things that I did not say or were completely out of context. Be careful about what you believe, you may unwillingly destroy the reputation of an innocent person.
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By: Jimmy on 3/26/2009 7:14PM
Dear Hawks Office,
It is a shame that Mr. Triche has cost you thousands of fans with his stupid remarks about Len Dykstra. Nothing which Len said was untrue. Triche must be black or gay, or both... Is he ashamed of it? Who is this unknown man? Then again, who cares?
Whatever happened to freedom of speech? IF Dykstra even said those things, he has every right to state his opinions. He put 3 Negroes and a lesbian on the first 4 covers... He risked his magazine going under to appease minorities. You would think people would appreciate that fact.
If I was a Hawk's player and Triche tried to tell me who I could and couldn't interview with, or what I could or could not read in the locker room, He would be in a mess of trouble. He would quickly be taught a few things about life. I would put this prejudiced man in his place.
He should be immediately fired. I may write a column to this effect.....
Sincerely, Jimmy(former Hawks' fan)
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By: Kevin Coughlin on 4/13/2009 2:28AM
Hi Dave,
I've restrained myself from answering to blog postings regarding my article "You Think Your Job Sucks? Try Working For Lenny Dykstra", that is - until now. It is healthy to question sources of a story. GQ did just that. They questioned more than a dozen people who've had more than just a passing "one-time" experience with Lenny Dykstra, and trust me, they heard a lot worse than I described! If I am lying, then why hasn't Lenny sued me for libel? The article has been online since March 16, 2009. No lawsuits have been filed nor served against me and/or GQ magazine nearly a month later. The silence is deafening....
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By: Paul on 3/26/2009 2:12PM
What does the page designer have to say?
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By: Les on 3/26/2009 6:09PM
Exactly. If the accusations are true, there is a potential colaberating witness named in the article.
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By: jerry on 3/26/2009 7:18PM
hey people... before you bash lenny.... wait and see if his ex employee whos making these statements is telling the truth.. whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty. You are all jumping on the racist wagon that in my opinion has been played out way too much for way too long.. funny how you dont hear about racism towards asians and latins.. do you?
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