Former Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra out of ICU after stroke
Former Met Lenny Dykstra arrives at the Darryl Strawberry Golf Classic in Glen Head on June 26, 2023. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Former Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra remains hospitalized in Los Angeles but has progressed to the point that he left the intensive care unit, a team official said Friday.
Dykstra, 61, suffered a stroke this week.
"Thanks for all the love, PRAYERS and support in this tough time," Dykstra wrote on Twitter. "I really appreciate it. I feel like it’s giving me the strength I really need right now. This will be a long journey."
I have to rest.
— Lenny Dykstra (@LennyDykstra) February 16, 2024
Thanks for all the love, PRAYERS and support in this tough time, #NailsNation. I really appreciate it. I feel like it’s giving me the strength I really need right now. This will be a long journey.
Despite the sudden and serious health issue, Dykstra has remained active on social media, issuing a series of lewd and vulgar posts — and attacking a former Mets teammate — as recently as Thursday.
In 1986, on the way to the Mets' most recent World Series championship, Dykstra was a breakout centerfielder. He played a dozen seasons in the majors overall, mostly for the Phillies, thrice being selected as an All-Star.
Since retiring in the late 1990s, Dykstra has had a series of legal, health and financial issues. He has gone to prison multiple times, including being sentenced to three years in 2012 for grand theft auto and providing a false financial statement.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
