Jul 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Darin Ruf (18) looks into the stands from the on deck circle during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
I never thought I'd write a Darin Ruf-centric post here at On Pattison, but that's the beauty of the job - you never know where it's gong to take you next.
Today, it took me to a story out of Cincinnati, where it was indicated that Ruf, 38, has filed a lawsuit against the Reds, alleging negligence after a career-ending injury at Great American Ball Park in 2023.
The incident occurred nearly two years ago, on June 2, 2023, when Ruf, then playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, collided with an unpadded, metal tarp roller while chasing a foul ball down the right-field line.
Former Milwaukee Brewers player Darin Ruf is suing the Cincinnati Reds, claiming "unsafe field conditions" at Great American Ball Park caused a career-ending leg injury on this play in 2023. Lawsuit seeks damages for negligence.
pic.twitter.com/xxFIKxoxhB
The impact resulted in a fractured kneecap and a deep laceration to his knee, injuries that ultimately ended his nine-year Major League Baseball career.
"This didn't need to happen," Ruf said in a statement. "Players shouldn't have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a major league field."
The lawsuit, filed in Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, claims the Reds failed to maintain safe field conditions. Specifically, it alleges that the tarp roller lacked protective padding and was partially obscured by an advertising cover, making it a hidden hazard.
When watching the replay, it does seem much more bulky at the end of that roller than in most ballparks. And those edges are usually protected by some sort of padding. Not in Cincinnati that day, though. The grounds crew was probably out grabbing some Skyline Chili for lunch.
Ruf's attorney, Tad Thomas, emphasized the preventable nature of the injury. "This was an obvious and avoidable risk," Thomas said. "There are basic safety protocols every MLB team should follow. Leaving an unpadded metal roller on the edge of the field is inexcusable."
At the time he was injured, Ruf was placed on the 60-day injured list with a laceration and a non-displaced fracture of his patella. However, according to the complaint, Ruf claims he suffered permanent and substantial deformities to his knee.
While it makes sense to feel for Ruf, because that is a sucky way to go out and the Reds should have been better about keeping hazards like that off the field, there's also a tinge of joy you can feel as this story coming out of left field has once again triggered New York Mets fans, who were not too fond of Ruf and his time in the Big Apple:
Wonder if the Mets can sue Darin ruf for being absolute ass as a met
The Mets should sue Darin Ruf for how ass he played for them
I had trauma watching Darin Ruf play for the Mets in 2022 and the unfortunate trauma of watching Billy Eppler acquire him https://t.co/wYdEDFo8Vi
New York Mets fan Connor Sand is suing Darin Ruf claiming emotional damage from his .413 OPS with the Mets during the second half of the 2022 season. https://t.co/MsTCHdCK3G
preparing my lawsuit against Darin Ruf for emotional trauma suffered after watching him play for the Mets in 2022 https://t.co/8kDHlEBicR
(Sorry... needed that brief diversion into New York baseball trauma. Back to the story...)
Ruf began his MLB career with the Phillies in 2012. Over five seasons in Philadelphia, he played 286 games, hitting .240 with 35 home runs and 96 RBIs. He later played for the San Francisco Giants, the Mets and Brewers, finishing his career with a .239 batting average, 67 home runs and 205 RBIs over 582 games.
The Reds have not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
Ruf is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, asserting that the Reds' negligence not only ended his professional career but also caused significant personal and financial harm.
(O.K. one more for the road:)
In related news, Frank The Tank is suing Darin Ruf for mental damages he suffered while watching Darin Ruf play baseball for the New York Mets pic.twitter.com/yJGeeQUaGo
