Marshall, I’ve watched you grow from a fine young boy and know that you’ll be a fine young man. Your spirit and your attitude make you a pleasure to be around, and I wish only the best for you.
To Mom, Marilyn, I will never forget you. Everyone knows the real truth, but what matters most is that I love you. You were the best mom in the world.
To Dennis Dykstra, my only dad: I am so grateful that you came into my life.
To Grandpa Pete and Grandma Rose, I always looked forward to the Sundays when I knew I would be with you. To my aunts, Carol, Bonnie, and Penny, and your beautiful families—all of you have been there for me, even when you had to make tough decisions to do so. The fact that you know the truth and stayed loyal means more to me than you know.
To Eric and Kelly—Eric, you are one of the smartest guys I have ever met. I am proud to call you my friend. I love the rap. I learn from you every day! I have to say, I have never seen so many sleds—you’ve got every country and emblem covered, bro! Kelly, Eric is lucky to have you. You are the best! You and Eric made this book a possibility, and for that I will be forever grateful. I am honored by your trust and loyalty.
To Kelly Hutchinson, thank you for helping shape my boys into the men they are today. You will always be family.
Tom Borowski, your intelligence and discipline have allowed you to become extremely successful. However, it is your work ethic that separates you from the rest; you are the hardest-working man I know. I was told by other pro athletes that your company Striker Realty was the go-to brokerage for real estate in New Jersey, and I would agree after experiencing the vast knowledge and resources that you possess. Most important, you have treated me with respect, as you do everybody, from the first day we met. I greatly appreciate your generosity; you truly have a heart of gold. I am so fortunate that you came into my life. I value your friendship, and look forward to strengthening it in the years to come. Although our initial road trip did not land the whale, we were able to see where he swims. Fortunately, our ensuing road trip bagged us an even bigger whale on the beach. Those memories will last forever. I thoroughly enjoyed the rides with you, and assure you they will not be our last. Thanks for being there. Melissa, thanks for your gracious company and friendship and including me in yours and Tom’s lives.
To Bert Brodsky . . . what can I say? Not only were you the best man at my wedding, you also arranged the ceremony at a moment’s notice. Through thick and thin, you have always been there for Terri, the boys, and me for the past thirty years. You could have easily and understandably bailed when things went south, but you decided to stay the course. I will be forever grateful for your loyalty, guidance, and support throughout the past three decades. I look forward to sharing the good times with you again. You are a special person, and I consider myself extremely fortunate that you came into my life. You are my hero!
Noah Scheinmann, I would like to express my gratitude to you for helping me navigate my way through this book. Thank you for all your help with the media and launch. You are a true genius, bro! But most important, thank you for having the balls to tell me the truth, even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear.
Joe Longo, my friend, there’s so much to thank you for that I’ll never get it all in. Honesty and integrity are two words that will always define you.
To my good friend Eytan Sugarman from New York. Is there anybody you don’t know? Honestly, you are the most dialed-in dude I know. When I really need to talk to God, I am going to ask you for an intro. Seriously, though, I am sincerely thankful for our friendship. Moreover, hanging in there with me regardless of the circumstances has not gone unnoticed. I look forward to enjoying many good meals with you in the future.
Dr. Howard Samuels, thank you for taking me in and providing much-needed clarity . . . or something like that. I don’t know where I would be today if it weren’t for you. You are the real deal. You walk the talk.
Larry Winokur, your humility aside, you are truly a giant among giants. Having you as a part of my team in this endeavor is invaluable. While your professional accomplishments speak loudly, particularly the incredible cachet of your client list, your humanity to me speaks much louder. Thank you for being there.
To the quiet but intimidating Dave Hollins (Head). The ultimate gamer! Best base runner I ever played with, especially first to third. Undoubtedly, the best teammate I could ever have. You put the fear of God in every opponent. Having you in my foxhole, in which you have always been, made me even more surly and pugnacious. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing someone always has your back. That aside, you are my best friend in baseball. Now that our careers are over, we are left with a lasting relationship, which was forged on the diamond but is even greater now. I look forward to our evolution. Regardless of how it turns out, you will always be a “Head” above the rest.
Dr. Jim Berman, it’s hard to put into words what you have meant to me. You are not only a great doctor who is triple smart, you also use your gifts to change people’s lives. Most important, you always treat people with respect and dignity even though they may be disrespectful and undignified at times. Simply put, You get it! Knowing that your patients know that is enough for you, and that is a remarkable quality.
To Leo Giovagnoli, a great friend and a great man and father. You are a man of your word. I have the utmost respect for you, especially when it comes to the relationship you have with your son, Tony, who has also become a dear friend of mine as well. Your resourcefulness and undying support and encouragement are very much appreciated.
John Bolaris, Michael Butler, Larry DiSipio, Marc Falcone, and Mark Vajcovic, a shout-out to each of you for being there for me when no one else was, and going the extra mile when no one else would.
Thanks to my agent, J. L. Stermer—you are a true professional.
To my editor, Peter Hubbard, for believing and trusting in me and for your unimaginable patience. HarperCollins should double your salary for enduring this long and tumultuous journey with me. On a serious note, it’s been an honor to work with somebody as brilliant as you. You’re a stud.
Special thanks to Ayn Carrillo Gailey and Samuel W. Gailey for helping me find my writer’s voice, for being team players throughout the transformation of the final manuscript, and for the great homemade meals during our late-night writing sessions. Your talent and dedication (even at two A.M.) will always be appreciated.
To Peter Golenbock, thanks for your time and wisdom. You’re a good man. To Scott Bernberg, thank you for being part of this process. Your intelligence and input were invaluable.
To all my NailsInvestments.com subscribers. Thank you for sticking with the strategy when everyone else lost faith in me. Your continued success using my strategy is proof that the system works.
A big thank-you from the heart to all the fans of New York and Philadelphia. It was an honor and a privilege to play the game of baseball for the best sports fans in the world. Not only are you passionate, you’re also extremely knowledgeable about the game. As a player, I always appreciated that you, the fans, paid your hard-earned cash to watch my teammates and me perform. I felt obligated, not only to myself but also to you, to give the best performance possible on a daily or nightly basis. I was keenly aware that the entire mood of the city could be predicated upon our win-loss record. Hopefully, I played with a style that allowed you to know that I gave it everything I had, and then some, each and every time I put that uniform on my back. In a way, you became like extended family. It pained me to let you down, and it was awesome to celebrate successes with you. Unequivocally, the energy and emotion you brought to the park pushed me to play at the highest level possible. I will always be grateful for the love and support you provided me with throughout my career. I tried my absolute best to represent you well. I hope I accomplished that.
To Barbara McIntyre, thank you for going out of your way to help me get my manuscript to the legendary Stephen King. You are truly a special person.
And, lastly, to Dorothy, assistant, sou
nding board, and most important, my best friend. You never quit on me, you never turned on me, and you know I would take a bullet for you. You said I was your mentor, but at this point, I’m not sure who mentors whom. Thank you for being you. And a special thanks to your husband, Ken Van Kalsbeek, and daughters, Sarah, Megan, and Elaine, for all the understanding and support they provide in helping you do what you do.
Follow Lenny Dykstra:
LennyDykstra.com
facebook.com/LennyDykstraOfficial
twitter.com/LennyDykstra
instagram.com/ldykstra
NailsInvestments.com
INDEX
The pagination of this electronic edition does not match the edition from which it was created. To locate a specific entry, please use your e-book reader’s search tools.
Age of players, 260–61
Aguilera, Rick, 60, 64
AIG (American International Group), 252
Airstream Jets, 219
Alderson, Sandy, 107
Ali, Muhammad, 12
“All My Love” (song), 22
Alomar, Roberto, 158
Aluminum bats, 23–24
American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, 175
American Hockey League, 13–14
American League Championship Series (1986), 67
Amphetamines, 55, 97, 107, 168
Amstel Amsterdam, 168–69
Amsterdam, 168–70
Anabolic steroids. See Steroids
Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, 105
Anaheim Stadium, 18–19
batting practice at, 19, 23–24
Rod Carew and, 20–21
Analytics (sabermetrics), 261
Andersen, Larry, 150, 160
Anderson, Brady, 106
Anger Management (TV show), 139
Arizona State University, 22, 24, 31–32
Armstrong, Lance, 96, 111–12
Arrest, 281–84
AstroTurf, 48, 201–2
At-bats, 257–59, 260–61
Atlanta Braves, 38, 304
1993 NLCS, 149, 152–55
Atlantic City, 185–87
Attitude, 1–2
Auto accident of 1991, 118–19
Avery, Steve, 153
Backman, Wally, 55
1986 season, 55
NLCS, 60, 61, 63, 65
World Series, 71, 72, 76, 77
Bankruptcy, 247, 271–78, 282–83
Bankruptcy Code, U.S., 272–73
Barrett, Marty, 71, 72, 78
Baseball
business of, 255–61
failure in, 8–9
Lenny’s early passion for, 14–15, 16–18
minors vs. majors, 40–41
Baseball analytics (sabermetrics), 261
Baseball caps, 20
Baseball draft
1980, 30–31
1981, 27–28, 30, 31
2014, 30
2015, 28, 304
Baseball odds, 40–41
Baseball players age, 260–61
Baseball-Reference.com, 260–61
Baseball revenues, 255
Baseball scouts, 24, 27–29
Baseball stadium padding, 119–20
Baseball strike of 1994–95, 105–6, 196–99
Bass, Kevin, 64, 65
Batiste, Kim, 151, 153
Batting
at-bats, 257–59, 260–61
first at-bat in major leagues, 49–50
Batting helmets, 54
Batting practice
at Angel Stadium, 19, 23–24
with father, 16
Baylor, Don, 77
Bayou Club (Tampa), 182
Beane, Billy, 9, 31, 44
Bench players, 93
Ben Gurion Airport, 211
Berman, Jim, 205–10
Beverly Glen Center, 137
Beverly Hills Hotel, 217, 232–33
Bin Laden, Osama, 281
Birth, 13, 14
Blackjack, 41
Blocker, Terry, 27, 46
Blood doping, 111–12
Bob’s Big Boy, 15
Body Heat (movie), 183
Boggs, Wade, 76
Bonds, Barry, 31, 98, 108, 110, 195
“Bonus babies,” 39
Borders, Pat, 158, 160, 161
Borowski, Tom, 315–21
Boston Red Sox
1986 World Series. See World Series (1986)
Stephen King and, 321
Boyd, Dennis “Oil Can,” 69, 75, 76–77
Brodsky, Bert, 51
Bryn Mawr Hospital, 119
Buckner, Billy, 73, 74–75, 77
Buffett, Warren, 236
Buschel, Bruce, 185–87
Business of baseball, 255–61
BWR Public Relations, 142–43
California Angels, 67
Caminiti, Ken, 106
Cape Cod League, 32
Car crash of 1991, 118–19
Carew, Rod, 20–21
Carlyle Hotel (New York), 175, 227
Carolina League MVP, 39–40
Carreon, Mark, 27, 37, 42
Carson, Johnny, 226
Carter, Gary, 54–55
1986 season, 53, 54–55
NLCS, 60, 63, 65
World Series, 52, 68, 70–73, 76, 78
Carter, Joe, 1993 World Series, 158, 161, 162–63
Car wash business, 180–83
Cashen, Frank, 46, 56
Center fielder, 16–17
Chamberlain, Wes, 151
Chamberlain, Wilt, 191
Chapter 11 bankruptcy, 247, 271–78, 282–83
Château d’Yquem, 171–72
Chicago Bears, 59
Chicago Cubs, 118, 120
Childhood, 14–25
Christensen, John, 27
Cincinnati Reds
1985 season, 46, 47–50
1986 season, 57
1991 season, 119–20
Cinque, Joseph, 175–76
Cîroc vodka, 175
Cisneros, Arturo, 273–78
City council meetings, 181
Clarke, Tom, 244–45
Clemens, Roger
1986 World Series, 68, 71–72
steroid use and hall of fame, 98
Cleveland Browns, 33
Cobb, Ty, 111, 128
Cocaine, 107, 188, 230–32, 233
Collegiate summer baseball, 32–33
Combs, Sean “Puff Daddy,” 175
Community service, 307–8
Constitution, U.S., 281
Contreras, Det., 291–92
Coopers & Lybrand, 179–80
Countrywide Bank, 273–74
Cox, Bobby, 155
Crack cocaine, 135–40
Cramer, Jim, 238, 241–43
Crawford, Steve, 70
Croswell, Mike, 189–90, 229–30
Cruz, Jose, 63–64
Cuban, Mark, 122
Custody, 287–93
Damage control and baseball, 8–9
Darling, Ron, 55–56
1986 season, 55–56
NLCS, 60
World Series, 67–68, 70, 76
1988 NLCS, 88–89
Daulton, Darren “Dutch”
1993 season, 149–50
NLCS, 151–52, 153, 155
on-base percentage, 151–52
World Series, 160, 161
car accident of 1991, 118–19, 203
Davis, Eric, 57
Davis, Glenn, 60, 61, 63–64
Deca Durabolin, 99–100
Dedeaux, Rod, 31
Deep-in-the-money (DITM) calls strategy, 238–41, 245
Deer hunting, 81–83
Deliverance (movie), 82
Dempsey, Jack, 128
Dempsey, Rick, 126–28
De Niro, Robert, 230–32
Detention, 281–84
Detroit Red Wings, 13–14
Dexedrine, 231
Diamonds, 169
DiMaggio, Joe, 160, 163
/> Disney, 239
Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles), 126–28
Doran, Billy, 64
Dottie’s Beauty Salon, 17
Dowd, John, 116, 117
Drinking, 35, 233
Drug use, 107, 188, 230–32, 233, 260
Duncan, Mariano, 151
Durocher, Leo, 148
Düsseldorf, 172–74
Dykstra, Beau, 305
Dykstra, Brian, 15
Dykstra, Cutter, 304–5
Dykstra, Dennis, 14–17
love of baseball, 14–15, 16–17
Dykstra, Kevin, 15
Dykstra, Luke, 29–30, 303–4, 308–9
Dykstra, Terri, 98, 224
1986 NLCS, 62
baseball strike of 1994–95, 197
European trip, 167, 168, 169, 172–73
first date with, 42–43
marriage to, 50–51
player pension and, 309
telling rehab lies to, 227, 228
Dykstra-Decenzo, Marilyn, 14–16, 50, 288
Early life, 14–25
Eastbound & Down (TV show), 35
Eight Men Out (movie), 132
Einstein, Albert, 248
Eisenrich, Jim, 151, 158
Embezzlement, 182–83
Endorphins, 207–8
Europe, goodwill ambassador tour, 167–74
Evans, Dwight, 68, 70, 76, 77
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), 219
Failure, managing, 256–57
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), 116, 282–84, 299
FDA (Food and Drug Administration), 209, 231
Federal Correctional Institute. See Victorville Federal Prison
Fehr, Don, 117, 197–98
Fernandez, Sid “El Sid,” 56–57
1986 NLCS, 63
1986 World Series, 70, 76–77
Fernandez, Tony, 158, 160
Few Good Men, A (movie), 193
Figliola, Mike, 242
Financial adviser, 179–80
First Credit Bank, 265–66, 268–69
Fischer, Bill, 77
Flier, Andrew, 292
Florida Marlins, 204–5
Football, 21–22
Ford, Henry, 262
Foster, George, 57–58
Four Seasons Hotel (Beverly Hills), 191
Four Seasons Hotel (New York), 107
Freeman, Morgan, 311
Freeman and Mills, 183
Fregosi, Jim, 150, 190
1993 NLCS, 152, 154
1993 World Series, 160, 162, 163
French Riviera, 220–21, 228–30
Galpin Ford, 287
Gambling, 185–89
House of Nails Page 23