Latest news with #Ruf
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Lawsuit By Former Milwaukee Brewer Ruf Is Latest In Line Of Field Safety Cases
Photo byOn May 22, 2025, Darin Ruf, a former utility player for the Milwaukee Brewers and several other clubs, sued the Cincinnati Reds in an Ohio state court arising out of an allegedly career-ending knee injury that Ruf suffered at the Reds' Great American Ball Park on June 2, 2023. Ruf injured his knee when he ran into the end of the rolled up tarp chasing a foul ball down the first base line which, according to Ruf, was not properly padded. Ruf's case is the latest in a series of cases brought by both MLB and NFL players concerning injuries suffered due to field conditions. Those lawsuits have a mixed record of success against the leagues' argument that the lawsuits are preempted by the collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with the players unions. The Preemption Playbook All of the major American sports leagues have negotiated comprehensive CBAs with their counterpart unions which address a wide range of issues affecting the terms and conditions of employment for the players. Those CBAs also require that should there be a dispute as to whether the league, a club, a union, or a player abided by their obligations under the CBA, such dispute be settled through a confidential arbitration process. As a result, in each league, dozens of grievances are commenced and resolved each year, typically without any public awareness. Nonetheless, players have occasionally brought lawsuits against a league or clubs in state or federal courts for conduct which they have argued is not covered by the CBA. The leagues and clubs involved seek to have the cases dismissed, arguing that claims are preempted (i.e., barred) by the CBA, pursuant to the federal Labor Management Relations Act. Indeed, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has also taken a broad view in favor of the preemption argument. In the 1985 case of Allis-Chalmers Corp. v. Lueck, the Supreme Court established the controlling principal on this issue, holding that claims whose resolution are 'substantially dependent upon analysis of the terms of' a CBA are preempted. In other words, claims that are 'inextricably intertwined' with the terms and provisions of the CBA cannot proceed. Instead, such claims must be brought pursuant to the arbitration provisions contained in the CBA. The intended and frequent result is the dismissal of the claims. Preemption in Practice The cases that have presented the most difficulty for leagues (and courts) are those like Ruf's, where a player has alleged that they suffered an injury due to negligently maintained field conditions. One of the most well-known cases concerns former NFL running back Reggie Bush. In 2016, Bush sued the St. Louis Rams and their stadium authority when, at the conclusion of a play, he slipped and fell on a concrete surface surrounding the turf playing field causing a knee injury. A federal court denied the Rams' arguments that Bush's claims were preempted by the CBA. The court held that although at the time the NFL and NFLPA had a 'Joint Committee for the purpose of discussing, among other things, the player safety and welfare aspects of playing equipment, playing surfaces, and stadium facilities[,] [t]he Joint Committee d[id] not have the power to commit or bind any of the signatories to the CBA… nor does the CBA establish a contractually agreed upon standard of care applicable to Plaintiff's claims.' In 2020, a jury awarded Bush $12.5 million for the injury which effectively ended his career. The same decision was reached the following year in a case brought by then Philadelphia Eagles player and now Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans after Ryans injured his Achilles tendon due to what he alleged was a dangerous playing surface at the Texans' NRG Stadium. A Texas state court held that it did not need to analyze the CBA to evaluate Ryans' negligence claim and it was therefore not preempted. Whether in response to these legal losses or not, the NFL changed certain of its practices in such a way to seemingly avoid similar litigation in the future. As part of the 2020 CBA, the NFL and NFLPA added a section establishing and discussing the responsibilities of the joint NFL-NFLPA Field Surface Safety & Performance Committee. In short, that Committee is responsible for establishing and enforcing playing field standards, codified as the Field Surface Manual. The scope of that Committee was relevant in a 2023 lawsuit brought by former Denver Broncos linebacker Aaron Patrick. During the October 17, 2022 Monday Night Football game between the Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, Patrick, after trying to make a tackle near the sideline on a punt, tripped over television cables and mats and collided with the NFL's television liaison, the person responsible for coordinating commercial breaks. Unfortunately, Patrick, an undrafted second year player, tore his ACL in the process. Patrick recovered and participated in the Broncos' training camp the next year but did not make the team. Patrick sued the NFL, ESPN, the Chargers, the entities that own and operate SoFi Stadium, and others, in California state court for negligence and premises liability. A federal court granted a motion to dismiss by the NFL and the Chargers based on preemption, holding that 'resolution of Patrick's claims, and specifically determination of the scope of each defendant's duty and potential liability, would require interpretation of the CBA,' including the Field Surface Manual. Baseball too has faced such cases. In June 2017, in the first inning of his Major League debut, New York Yankees' outfielder Dexter Fowler injured his knee when it hit a metal electrical box along the right field wall in foul territory at the Chicago White Sox's Guaranteed Rate Field. Fowler sued the Illinois Sports Facility Authority, which managed the stadium, and the White Sox for alleged negligence. The defendants sought to have the case dismissed on preemption grounds. Specifically, they argued that Fowler's claim required interpretation of Article XIII of the CBA, which established a joint MLB-MLB Players Association (MLBPA) Safety and Health Advisory Committee 'to deal with emergency safety and health problems as they arise' and 'to engage in review of, planning for and maintenance of safe and healthful working conditions for Players.' An Illinois federal court was not persuaded. It held that Fowler's claims were not preempted by Article XIII because that Article 'leaves no doubt that the clubs were in a vastly better position than the Committee to assess the safety of their own premises. [Moreover,] [t]he clubs did not give up any control over their premises to the Committee, nor did they even grant it any consistent supervisory role.' In sum, the court concluded that it did not need to consult the CBA to evaluate the White Sox's duty of care to Fowler and his claims were therefore not preempted. The case subsequently settled. The Reds' At Bat The Reds will likely move to dismiss the case on preemption but face an uphill battle in light of the Fowler decision, even though it is not binding precedent on an Ohio state court. The 2022 CBA between MLB and the MLBPA did not add any additional field safety obligations for either party. MLB declined to comment on whether it has negotiated a field safety manual with the union, a la the NFL and NFLPA. Should the Reds lose that argument, they would then most likely be in the position of having to evaluate whether its employees were in fact negligent in rolling and covering up the tarp and all of its parts. Such claims would typically have to be decided by a jury. Were the case to make it that far, the Reds would face significant financial risk. Although Ruf was 37 years of age at the time of the injury, he had a $3 million salary in 2023 and thus any lost career earnings would still have been significant (an issue faced by doctors accused of medical malpractice by athletes). Expect the Reds to take a swing at the preemption argument first. If they miss, the club (and its insurer) will likely seek to end the matter with a settlement rather than serving up a home run during a jury trial.
Miami Herald
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Former MLB player files shocking lawsuit against the Cincinnati Reds
As a diehard Washington Nationals fan, I know exactly how unlucky the infield rain tarp at Great American Ball Park can be for opposing infielders. Let me explain. About three weeks ago, the Nats played a road series against the Cincinnati Reds. While the team eventually won two out of three and took the series, the opening Friday-night game was memorable for a couple of reasons. Related: MLB team makes major mistake, costing fans First the Nats got their butts kicked 6-1 after a nearly two-hour rain delay. Second, Nathaniel Lowe, the Nats' new first baseman, had a scary moment when he ran full speed and tripped over the infield rain tarp set against the divider separating the first baseline bleachers from the field. But Lowe wasn't tripped into the protective netting as much as he was launched. He looked like a running back going full speed, whose knees were taken out by Ray Lewis. Thankfully, Lowe was only dinged up and didn't miss any time. However, I was reminded of this incident after hearing about litigation against the Cincinnati Reds from another opposing first baseman who wasn't so lucky after he ran into the Reds' tarp. His career ended after the collision, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Darin Ruf was never a superstar, but he was a solid big-leaguer who skipped Triple-A ball on his way to a September 2012 callup with the Philadelphia Phillies. After spending parts of the next four seasons bouncing from the bigs to the minors, Ruf's contract was sold to a Korean team. He spent three seasons in Korea before returning to the Majors in 2020 on a minor-league deal, making the San Francisco Giants' opening day roster and becoming a regular starter for the next couple of seasons. After bouncing around for a bit, he landed with the Milwaukee Brewers on May 15, 2023. Less than three weeks later, his career would end at Great American Ball Park on June 2. Ruf fractured his kneecap and deeply lacerated his knee on the play. He never played in MLB again. Ruf claims in his lawsuit that he could not see the exposed metal at the end of the roller because of the Gorilla Glue advertisement covering the tarp. "This didn't need to happen. I wish it didn't happen," said Ruf in a news release. "Players shouldn't have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a Major League field." Ruf is suing the Reds for negligence in failing to maintain safe field conditions. "This was an obvious and avoidable risk. There are basic safety protocols every MLB team should follow. Leaving an unpadded metal roller on the edge of the field is inexcusable," Ruf's lawyer, Tad Thomas, said, according to CBS. TheStreet could not immediately get in touch with the Cincinnati Reds for comment. Related: Major League Baseball rivals settle long, angry dispute off the diamond The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-MLB player Darin Ruf sues Reds, claims their uncovered tarp caused his career-ending injury
Former MLB player Darin Ruf is suing the the Cincinnati Reds over a tarp he claims caused his career-ending injury two years ago, according to the Associated Press. The lawsuit was reportedly filed Thursday in the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas. It reportedly accuses the Reds of negligence for failing to maintain safe field conditions, specifically noting the risks presented by an unpadded metal tarp roller at Great American Ball Park. Advertisement Ruf encountered that tarp while playing first base for the Milwaukee Brewers on June 2, 2023. He tracked a foul ball toward the first-base stands and hit the tarp hard, leaving him with a deep laceration in his right knee and a non-displaced patella fracture. His lawsuit reportedly describes the damage as 'permanent and substantial deformities to his knee.' Ruf attempted to return later that season, hitting .120 in seven games on a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, but never played in another MLB game. He did not sign with a team after becoming a free agent that winter. He now blames the Reds for leaving a large metal object in the field of play, via the AP: 'This didn't need to happen,' Ruf said in a statement. 'I wish it didn't happen. Players shouldn't have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a major league field.' Advertisement His lawyer said the same: 'This was an obvious and avoidable risk,' Tad Thomas, Ruf's attorney, said in a release announcing the lawsuit. 'There are basic safety protocols every MLB team should follow. Leaving an unpadded metal roller on the edge of the field is inexcusable.' Ruf played a total of nine seasons in his MLB career. He began his career mostly as a bench bat at the corners for the Philadelphia Phillies before moving to South Korea's KBO and finding immense success with the Samsung Lions. That success continued upon Ruf's return to MLB, as he enjoyed the two best seasons of his career with the San Francisco Giants in 2021 and 2022. He was one of many over-performing bats that powered the Giants to a 107-win season that unseated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Ruf struggled after that, in stints with the Giants, Brewers and New York Mets across 2022 and 2023. It was unclear how much further he could have gone while hitting .224 in his age-36 season, but no player wants to end his career like he did.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
MLB star Darin Ruf accuses Cincinnati Reds of reckless safety failure that ended his career
MLB star Darin Ruf accuses Cincinnati Reds of reckless safety failure that ended his career (Image Source: Getty Images) Retired Major League Baseball player Darin Ruf sued the Cincinnati Reds, just shy of two years ago when he was hurt in a game at Great American Ball Park. Ruf alleges the injury, which resulted when he was trying to catch a foul ball, ruined his professional baseball career. The suit alleges the Reds were negligent in having an exposed metal tarp roller on the field. Ruf is suing for damages and believes players never should have to face unforeseen dangers on the field. Darin Ruf got injured while pouncing on a foul ball Two years back during a match, Darin Ruf was chasing after a foul ball. Unfortunately, he scraped the bottom of the rolled-up tarp covering alongside the field. Video showed blood on the pant leg of Ruf as he hobbled off the field. He was subsequently put on the 60-day injured list after suffering a deep laceration on his knee. He later also confirmed that he had a fractured kneecap. The accident was the end of Ruf's stint in Major League Baseball. He had only played 11 games with the Brewers that year when the accident happened. Also Read: Why Former MLB Star Darin Ruf Is Suing The Reds Over A Tarp Injury That Ended His Career Lawsuit sues Reds for negligence and retrospect of Ruf's career The lawsuit, filed in Hamilton County, states that the metal tarp roller Ruf collided with had no padding and was an obvious hazard that needed to be covered up or taken away. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The suit calls for the Reds and their grounds staff to be held for "reckless" conduct, alleging they did not abide by the fundamental rules of safety. This didn't have to occur. "I don't want it to have occurred," Ruf commented in a statement. "Players shouldn't have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a Major League field." Ruf's lawyer, Tad Thomas, also had something to say, referring to the roller as a "simplistic safety failure." Thomas reasoned that every MLB team should be smarter than to leave a tough, hazardous object that players will be running on during a game. Darin Ruf, currently 38, played five years with the Philadelphia Phillies before progressing to the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. Although not a star, he was famous for his power-hitting skills. The injury occurred while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers briefly, truncating his 2023 season. The lawsuit now wants total payment for medical bills, career loss, and other harm resulting from the injury. Up to now, the Cincinnati Reds have not given a public statement regarding the issue. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Why former MLB star Darin Ruf is suing the Reds over a tarp injury that ended his career
Why Darin Ruf believes the Reds are responsible for the knee injury that ended his career (AP Photos) F ormer MLB slugger Darin Ruf is taking legal action against the Cincinnati Reds, alleging negligence that he says brought his professional baseball career to a devastating end. Ruf claims that a serious injury he sustained during a June 2023 game at Great American Ball Park was not just unfortunate—it was preventable. How a tarp roller may have cost Darin Ruf his MLB career and sparked a major lawsuit The incident occurred on June 2, 2023, while Darin Ruf, then with the Milwaukee Brewers, was playing first base. As he chased down a foul pop-up near the right-field line, he collided with an uncovered tarp roller situated next to the field—an object described in court filings as a sharp-edged, unpadded metal hazard. The collision left a visible bloodstain on Ruf's right knee, and though he initially walked off under his own power, the damage was far worse than it appeared. The lawsuit, filed in Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, states that the injury led to "permanent and substantial deformities to his knee," effectively ending his career. Ruf, who played in MLB for teams like the Phillies, Giants, Mets, and Brewers, is now seeking both punitive and compensatory damages. His legal team accuses the Reds' grounds crew and the organization itself of failing to provide a safe working environment for players. "This didn't need to happen," Ruf said in a statement. "I wish it didn't happen. Players shouldn't have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a major league field." His attorney, Tad Thomas, emphasized the seriousness of the oversight: "This was an obvious and avoidable risk. 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 of the incident, Ruf was nearing his 37th birthday and had only just joined the Brewers after brief stints with the Giants and Mets earlier that year. Despite appearing in seven games for Milwaukee's Triple-A affiliate later that season, he never returned to a major league field. Ruf, once hailed for tying Sammy Sosa's record of 20 home runs in a calendar month in the minors, now finds his career halted not by age or performance—but, he alleges, by a preventable accident. As the lawsuit unfolds, it casts a spotlight on field safety in professional sports and the unseen dangers that can alter careers in an instant. Also Read: How Jasson Domínguez's walk-off homer saved the Yankees from another tough loss against the Rangers Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
