The number of baseball players who made self-confessions is now on the upward trend. Former Phillies Lenny Dykstra was named in a book written by former Washington bureau chief of Forbes magazine Randall Lane. The Phillies player was previously accused of steroid use and was even named in the Mitchell report. But there was no confirmation on his alleged doping until Lane divulged the admission of Dyktsra on his steroid use. According to media reports, Lane was also a former business partner of Dykstra

The book entitled “The Zeroes: My Misadventures in the Decade Wall Street Went Insane” detailed the conversation between Lane and Dykstra sometime in February 2008. Excerpts from the book, which already came out in public, alleged that Dykstra admitted to Lane that he used steroid to improve his performance that help the Phillies into World Series.

It happened in a New York hotel room in February 2008 when Lane asked Dykstra to pay him $250,000. This is in connection with the publication of a magazine Lane was publishing at that time. It was also the time when an inquiry on the rampant steroid use in baseball is being conducted. Dykstra allegedly reacted on the cable news they were watching. “You know, I was like a pioneer for that stuff,” said Dykstra. Lane then asked the baseball player about his remarks. “The juice. I was like the very first to do that. Me and [Jose] Canseco,” Dykstra replied.

As a centerfielder, Dykstra tried to protect his job by relying on steroids. “You gotta understand, there were only 28 people who had my job in the whole world. And thousands of people wanted those jobs, and every year, there were guys trying to take my job.” He also added that he needed to do anything he could to protect his career and be able to take good care of his family’s needs. “Do you have any idea how much money was at stake? Do you?” Dykstra asked Lane.

Dykstra also revealed how easy it was to buy steroids at that time. If a player had a prescription, they can easily purchase steroids from pharmacies. “At first it wasn’t even illegal. Then, after a few years, I had to go to a doctor, and get a prescription. You know how I got my stuff? Just walking into a pharmacy, bro. It was as simple as that,” he said.

It was reported before that Dykstra was already confronted by Lee Thomas, the general manager of the Phillies, on his alleged steroid use. He categorically denied that he has done anything wrong. Thomas said that he has no power to do anything because the players are protected by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The only thing that they can do is to tell the players not to do anything illegal.

His impressive performance in the National League prompted the Phillies to give him an almost $25 million 4-year contract. Dykstra finished second in the NL MVP voting with leading stats in the hits, walks, at bats and runs. Philly.com also reported that Dykstra was able to set a major league record with 773 plate appearances and had career highs in homers, RBI doubles, stolen bases, on base percentage and slugging percentage. However, in 1994 he was put on the disabled list and only played 84 games for the team. With so many health concerns like appendicitis and back problems, Dykstra was forced to retire at the age of 33.

Now, Lenny Dykstra is no different from Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, Jose Canseco and many baseball players who used steroids to perfect their game.

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