Lenny Dykstra is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run double to finish a 20-inning game against the Dodgers, the morning of July 8, 1993. The Phillies won 7-6 in Philadelphia.
(AP / File Photo)
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After bankruptcy filing, Dykstra shares 'actual facts'
The day after the news broke that Lenny Dykstra had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the former Phillies centerfielder wrote a letter to his "clients and friends."
The Daily News contacted Dykstra yesterday, seeking confirmation of the letter. Dykstra confirmed the letter was his and responded via e-mail, "You May Print."
Dykstra, 46, has no more than $50,000 in assets and between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities, according to a petition filed Tuesday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Central District of California. He faces some 20 lawsuits tied to his activities as a financial entreprenuer, according to reports.
He did not make any comment on Wednesday, when his filing came to light.
In his letter, dated July 9, Dykstra offers no apologies. He says: "For those who are interested in the actual facts, I am happy to share."
He offers five facts regarding his case and asks that his clients and friends "not be swayed solely by muckraking and sensationalized accounts" of his bankruptcy.
His first two facts say there are "meritless" claims against him and that's why he filed Chapter 11. He seeks "breathing room" to challenge the claims. He also plans to pursue his "lawful claims against a number of parties who have attempted to steal my property, breached material agreements with me or otherwise acted in bad faith."
He said he expects to emerge from bankruptcy and "continue to achieve my business goals, free from the attacks of those who have attempted to extort me."
And finally, he said that "aside from the relaunch of my investment newsletter, I will soon be able to resume publication of a project which is very close to my heart - The Players Club: A magazine built 'For the Players, by the Players.' "
He promises that his "personal financial maneuvers will in no way adversely affect the quality or continuance of this service. On the contrary, we are now moving full steam ahead on some major enhancements and updates. Within a week or so, you will already start to see the improvements!"
Dykstra also wrote that the "bottom line is that this is not about me, it's about YOU! I still stand behind you 100 percent."
Dykstra also writes that Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln recovered from bankruptcy and that Ulysses S. Grant went bankrupt. He then listed other prominent Americans who bounced back from bankruptcy, including Mark Twain, Donald Trump, Henry Ford, Walt Disney and P.T. Barnum.
Dykstra closes his letter by soliciting comments via e-mail with a statement that not all of his clients might find comforting: "Feel free to contact me any time, teammates. I'm here in the dugout watching out for you." *
