Ex-Met Lenny Dykstra Pleads Not Guilty in Uber Driver Flap, Unleashes Random Hashtags in Series of Bizarre Tweets
The former ballplayer has said the Uber driver tried to hold him hostage
By Lori Bordonaro ••
Ex-Met legend Lenny Dykstra, a three-time All-Star who has faced repeated legal troubles over the last decade, pleaded not guilty Monday to drug and threat-making charges stemming from an Uber altercation earlier this year. Lori Bordonaro reports.
What to Know
Mets legend Lenny Dykstra pleaded not guilty to drug and other charges Monday after allegedly threatening an Uber driver in May
Cops said an Uber driver told them the ex-ball star put a gun to his head when the driver declined his request to go somewhere else
Dykstra has said that never happened (and no gun was found in the car); he said the Uber driver tried to hold him hostage
Ex-Met legend Lenny Dykstra, a three-time All-Star who has faced repeated legal troubles over the last decade, pleaded not guilty Monday to drug and threat-making charges stemming from an Uber altercation earlier this year.
Dykstra was indicted on the charges -- cocaine possession, meth possession and making terroristic threats -- less than two weeks ago in connection with the late May ride-share fight. At the time, an Uber driver alleged Dykstra put a gun to his head when the driver declined his request to go somewhere other than his original destination. Dykstra, 55, was taken into custody at the scene.
David Brooks/Flickr
Katie Gentilello/Flickr
Natalie Maynor/Flickr
dconvertini/Flickr
jamestheroo12/Flickr
Kathleen/Flickr
James Snyder/Flickr
Emma Danielsson/Flickr
Timothy Wildey/Flickr
juanlondres/Flickr
David Brooks/Flickr
Dykstra, who waived formal arraignment at Monday's hearing in Union County, and his lawyer made brief comments to reporters after court. The attorney reiterated previous statements -- that Dykstra is a nonviolent man and the evidence will support his contentions. Dykstra, asked about the emotional toll the court case has taken on him, mumbled so much in his brief response that his words were barely audible.
Dykstra has been active on Twitter, though, teasing in the overnight hours ahead of his court appearance, "Anything interesting going on in any Elizabeth, NJ courtrooms during the next day or so?"
After court, he went on a bizarre nonsensical Tweetstorm, writing a series of postss with various tags like #NationalNutDay, #DoublePlusGood, #NobodyWantsToHear and #NailsNation" that didn't appear to have anything to do with Monday's court hearing. He's due back in court in December.
#NationalNutDay: "... It's your world and I'm just a squirrel tryin' to get a nut to move your butt to the dance floor ..." - C + C Music Factory
Dykstra has said he was in fear for his life because the Uber driver wouldn't stop the car; his lawyer has said the driver took Dykstra on the wrong route to his destination and engaged the child locks to keep him from getting out.
For his part, the Uber driver told authorities of an expletive-laden tirade that involved threats to "blow off" his head. At the time of the altercation, the driver stopped outside police headquarters in Linden, New Jersey, and ran out of the car. Police said they found cocaine, MDMA and marijuana among Dykstra's belongings but didn't find a weapon.
David J. Phillip/AP
Washington Nationals' Yan Gomes and Daniel Hudson celebrate after Game 7 of the baseball World Series against the Houston Astros Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Houston. The Nationals won 6-2 to win the series.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Manager Dave Martinez #4 of the Washington Nationals hoists the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas.
Lee Jin-man/AP
Tiger Woods hits a shot out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the Zozo Championship PGA Tour at the Accordia Golf Narashino country club in Inzai, Japan, Monday, Oct. 28, 2019. Woods won his 82nd career PGA Tour title, matching a 54-year-old record held by Sam Snead.
Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Allyson Felix competes in 4x400 metres mixed relay race final during the 17th World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar on Sept. 29, 2019.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
DOHA, QATAR - SEPTEMBER 29: Allyson Felix of the United States reacts after setting a new world record in the 4x400 Metres Mixed Relay during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Wilbert London, Michael Cherry, Courtney Okolo and Allyson Felix of the United States pose after setting a new world record in the 4x400 Metres Mixed Relay during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on Sept. 29, 2019, in Doha, Qatar.
DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain kisses the trophy after his win over Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men's Singles Finals match at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Sept. 8, 2019.
Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
Bianca Andreescu of Canada celebrates with the championship trophy alongside runner up Serena Williams of the United States during the trophy presentation ceremony after the Women's Singles final on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sept. 7, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York City.
Adam Hunger/AP
Serena Williams returns a shot to Elina Svitolina, of Ukraine, during the semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sept. 5, 2019, in New York. Williams beat out Svitolina to advance to the finals - her fourth out of six past tournaments.
Adam Hunger/AP
Coco Gauff wipes away tears while talking to Naomi Osaka, of Japan, after Osaka defeated Gauff during the third round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in New York.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Coco Gauff of the United States in action against Timea Babos of Hungary in the Women's Singles Round Two match on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29th, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City.
Getty Images
Serena Williams hits a backhand against Maria Sharapova of Russia in the first round of the U.S. Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aug. 26, 2019 in New York City. Williams played a 6-1, 6-1 game against Sharapova for their first match at the Open.
Getty Images
Serena Williams shakes hands with Maria Sharapova of Russia after beating her in the first round of the U.S. Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aug. 26, 2019 in New York City. Williams played a 6-1, 6-1 game against Sharapova for their first match at the Open.
Getty Images
Roger Federer celebrates his victory over Sumit Nagal of India in the first round of the U.S. Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Aug. 26, 2019 in New York City.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Freedom to retired Boston Celtic Bob Cousy in the Oval Office at the White House on Aug. 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. Mr. Cousy is credited helping the Boston Celtics win six National championships.
Simone Biles competes on the balance beam during the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships Aug. 9, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. The Olympic gold medalist snagged her sixth U.S. women's gymnastics title, cinching top points on the floor, vault and balance beam for a weekend total of 118.500 points before capping it off with a historic triple-double flip.
AP/Wilfredo Lee
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jermaine Grace (53) runs after intercepting a pass thrown by Miami Dolphins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Caeleb Dressel of the United States celebrates as he sets a new world record of 49.50 seconds after competing in the Men's 100m Butterfly Semifinal on day six of the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships at Nambu International Aquatics Centre on July 26, 2019 in Gwangju, South Korea.
Simone Biles performs her balance beam routine during the GK US Classic gymnastics meet in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, July 20, 2019.
Richard Heathcote/R&A via Getty
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the sixth tee during the first round of the 148th Open Championship held on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2019 in Portrush, United Kingdom.
Ray Tang/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic of Serbia wins the men's singles final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland (not seen) at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships 2019 held on Day 13 held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2019 in London.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Simona Halep of Romania with the trophy after her victory against Serena Williams of the United States during the Ladies Singles Final on Centre Court during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 13, 2019 in London.
Carli Lloyd, center, and members of the U.S. women's national soccer team accept the award for best team at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
Host Tracy Morgan speaks onstage during The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images
(L-R) Odell Beckham Jr. and Gabrielle Union speak onstage during The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images
General view of Progressive Field during the pregame ceremony prior to 90th MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox runs during the second inning of the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Progressive Field on July 9, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio.
AP
United States' Megan Rapinoe, center, holds the trophy as she celebrates with teammates after they defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the Women's World Cup final soccer match at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Sunday, July 7, 2019.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Amanda Nunes of Brazil knocks out Holly Holm of the United States during their UFC Womenu2019s Bantamweight Title bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 06, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Andy Murray of Great Britain and Serena Williams of The United States celebrate during their Mixed Doubles first round match against Andreas Mies of Germany and Alexa Guarachi of Chile during day six of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2019, in London.
Dykstra's attorney has denied the threat had ever happened.
Dykstra played 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets and won a World Series in 1986 with the Mets. He was named to the National League All-Star team three times.
Dykstra's life after baseball has been troubled. He has served prison time after pleading guilty to crimes including bankruptcy fraud, grand theft auto and money laundering, and he declared bankruptcy in 2009, claiming he owed more than $31 million and had only $50,000 in assets.
