CINCINNATI — Former main league outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf is suing the Cincinnati Reds for damages after he suffered a career-ending damage whereas crashing into an uncovered tarp curler at Nice American Ball Park two years in the past.
The lawsuit filed Thursday within the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court docket of Widespread Pleas fees the Reds with negligence in failing to take care of protected discipline circumstances and particularly cites the presence of the unpadded steel tarp curler.
“This did not have to occur,” Ruf stated in an announcement. “I want it did not occur. Gamers should not have to fret about hidden hazards like that on a serious league discipline.”
Ruf was enjoying first base for Milwaukee when he was injured in the course of the Brewers’ 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Reds on June 2, 2023. Within the third inning, Ruf was chasing a foul pop when his knee hit the tip of the tarp curler.
In response to the criticism, Ruf suffered “everlasting and substantial deformities to his knee.” Ruf went on the 60-day injured listing and by no means performed within the main leagues once more.
Ruf’s criticism says the tip of the tarp curler was made from sharp steel and had no protecting cushioning or cap.
“This was an apparent and avoidable threat,” Tad Thomas, Ruf’s lawyer, stated in a launch saying the lawsuit. “There are fundamental security protocols each MLB group ought to comply with. Leaving an unpadded steel curler on the sting of the sphere is inexcusable.”
The Reds had no speedy response to a message in search of remark.
Ruf is in search of punitive and compensatory damages. The criticism says the Reds did not take affordable precautions to maintain the stadium protected and in addition are responsible for the negligent acts of the grounds crew’s “reckless” conduct.
Ruf, 38, performed within the majors from 2012 to 2023 with the Philadelphia Phillies (2012-16), San Francisco Giants (2020-22, 2023), New York Mets (2022) and Brewers (2023). He batted .239 with a .329 on-base share, 67 homers and 205 RBIs in 582 profession video games.
