Lenny Dykstra Says He Hired Private Investigators to Dig Up Dirt on Umpires

Joining Colin Cowherd on The Herd Tuesday, former MLB outfielder and noted financial hustler Lenny Dykstra dropped a bomb about some old activities he engaged in during his playing days.

Specifically, Dykstra told Cowherd he hired private investigators to tail umpires in their off time and compile dirt he could use later on the field.

"I heard stories, you used to keep a book on umpires," Cowherd said. "You were very smart that way."

"Well, a little more than that," Dykstra responded. "I said, 'I need these umpires. So what do I do?' I just pull out a half million bucks and hire a private investigation team to follow them."

"Their blood's just as red as ours," Dykstra continued. "Some of them like women, some of them like men. Some of them gamble. Some of them do whatever."

Dykstra confirmed that he used this information in the batter's box, asking officials if they came ahead on bets and mentioning other personal things to mold the strike zone in his favor.

"It wasn't a coincidence that I led the league in walks [after compiling the information]," Dykstra said.

"So you really think?" Cowherd asked.

"I don't think, I know," Dykstra answered.

Records seem to back up this certainty. Dykstra did lead the league with 129 walks in 1993, the same year he finished second in the MVP race.

As for the statements themselves, they're not exactly mind-blowing material coming from someone such as Dykstra, who's been charged with everything from drug possession and grand theft auto to filing false financial statements, serving a stint in prison. He's a longtime grifter after his own fashion who makes Pete Rose look like Mother Teresa.

So if Lenny Dykstra says he built an MLB career on fear-mongering and blackmail, he probably did. And it might've been even worse.

Dan is on Twitter. He would've found out the refs had cooties growing up.