Latest news with #TadThomas
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ex-MLB Player Ruf Sues Reds Over Knee Injury From Tarp Collision
Former MLB first baseman and outfielder Darin Ruf, who played nine big-league seasons between 2012 and 2023, sued the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, claiming the team is negligent under Ohio law for his bloody collision with a tarp roller two years ago at Great American Ball Park. Ruf was playing first base for the Milwaukee Brewers against the Reds on June 2, 2023, when in the bottom of the third inning, he collided with a tarp roller while chasing a ball into foul territory and left the game injured. Ruf, now 38, hasn't played in any games since. Advertisement More from In a complaint filed by attorneys Tad Thomas and Christopher W. Goode in the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, Ruf contends the tarp roller was a dangerous and hidden condition that imperiled players' safety. The tarp roller, Ruf points out, was made of sharp metal and lacked any protective cushioning or cap. Ruf says the end of the roller wasn't visible because it was 'obscured from view by an advertisement cover for Gorilla Glue.' Ruf blames the Reds grounds crew for failing to maintain safe conditions and allowing 'a state of disrepair.' Players suing over injuries caused or worsened by field conditions are rare but not unprecedented. Advertisement In 2018, a St. Louis jury awarded Reggie Bush $12.5 million in damages for an ACL tear he sustained after slipping on an uncovered concrete surface in the Edward Jones Dome during a game in 2015. The surface bordered the playing field, and Bush was running at full speed and couldn't stop. The jury concluded the condition was unsafe and that Bush's injury was caused by the negligence of the Los Angeles Rams, who were the St. Louis Rams when Bush was hurt. The Reds did not respond to a request for comment, but their attorneys will answer Ruf's complaint in the weeks ahead. Expect the team to offer several defenses. One likely defense is preemption, which is a major reason why pro athletes in leagues with collective bargaining agreements typically don't sue over injuries. Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA)—a federal law that regulates the relationship between unionized workers and management—contains language that preempts state law claims when those claims are based on rights contained in a CBA. MLB's CBA with the MLBPA features language regarding player injuries. Article XIII is particularly relevant. It governs safety and health and details a joint MLB-MLBPA advisory committee charged with addressing 'emergency safety and health problems as they arise.' The committee also 'attempts to find solutions' that ensure 'safe and healthful working conditions for players.' The Reds will likely argue the duty to maintain safe field conditions is a collectively bargained term and thus LMRA preempted. Advertisement That type of legal argument doesn't always work. In 2018, a federal judge in Illinois rejected it when raised by the Chicago White Sox and other parties were sued by former New York Yankees outfielder Dustin Fowler. In 2017, Fowler made his MLB debut in a game at Guaranteed Rate Field (now called Rate Field) in Chicago. In the first inning he chased down a line drive and ran full speed into an unpadded metal electrical box positioned between a railing and a half wall. The collision caused the patella tendon in Fowler's knee to rupture. He sued and a judge rejected the preemption defense on grounds that the CBA didn't diminish the White Sox's duty of care, including when the subject of state law claims. According to court records, the parties reached a settlement in 2022. Fowler recovered from the injury and was notably involved in a blockbuster 2017 midseason trade that sent him to the Oakland A's as part of the deal that netted the Yankees pitcher Sonny Gray. But the outfielder, once the No. 88 prospect in baseball according to Baseball America, never managed to deliver upon his promise in an MLB career that petered out in 2021. The Reds could also argue that even if Ruf's claims aren't preempted, the field conditions were sufficiently safe. The Reds would strengthen that defense if they could show the tarp roller was placed in a manner consistent with industry standards in MLB. In other words, the more ordinary the condition of the roller, the better for the Reds. But if tarp rollers are supposed to have cushioning or caps when used on MLB fields, that could be a problem for the Reds. Expert testimony by former groundskeepers and others with relevant expertise could prove influential. Advertisement Assumption of risk is also a relevant legal concept. Athletes assume all sorts of health risks by playing a sport. MLB teams place tarps and players, especially ones with as much experience as Ruf, arguably should be aware of tarp-related hazards. Ruf's complaint anticipates this defense by depicting the tarp roller as hidden and unexpected. The Reds also don't own Great American Ball Park. It is a public facility of Hamilton County, Ohio. Public entities have an added legal defense known as sovereign immunity, which generally permits the government to be sued only when it agrees to be sued. However, there are a bevy of exceptions to sovereign immunity, and sometimes they involve personal injury claims. Also, even if the Reds don't own the field, they operate it for Reds games. Ruf v. Reds could settle at any time, but if it advances past a motion to dismiss, the parties will need to provide testimony and share evidence related to the incident. The extent to which the tarp roller was unusually dangerous and the extent to which a veteran like Ruf should have been on the lookout would be key topics in pretrial discovery. Best of Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Ex-major-leaguer Darin Ruf sues Reds for career-ending injury
May 23 - Nearly two years after his final game, former major leaguer Darin Ruf filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds for an injury at Great American Ball Park that he claims ended his career. According to the lawsuit filed in Hamilton County (Ohio) Common Pleas, Ruf injured himself on a tarp during a game on June, 2, 2023, in Cincinnati while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers. In that game, while playing first base, Ruf chased a Luke Maile foul ball down the right field line and hit the edge of a rolled tarp, forcing him to leave the game. Per CBS Sports, he suffered a fractured kneecap and a knee laceration and was placed on the 60-day injured list. According to the lawsuit, the injury prevented him from resuming his career. "This didn't need to happen. I wish it didn't happen," Ruf said in a release. "Players shouldn't have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a Major League field." The lawsuit claims the tarp, which is made of metal, had no cushion or cap to provide protection and states that the Reds are liable for the grounds crew's negligence. "This was an obvious and avoidable risk," Tad Thomas, Ruf's attorney, said in the release. "There are basic safety protocols every MLB team should follow. Leaving an unpadded metal roller on the edge of the field is inexcusable." Ruf, 38, began his nine-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, playing five seasons before moving on to the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. He joined the Brewers in May 2023, playing in 11 games before the knee injury. In 581 games, Ruf hit .239 with 67 homers and 205 RBIs. --Field Level Media
CNN
23-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Former Brewers player Darin Ruf sues Reds over injury in Cincinnati that ended his career
Former major league outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf is suing the Cincinnati Reds for damages after he suffered a career-ending injury while crashing into an uncovered tarp roller at Great American Ballpark two years ago. The lawsuit filed Thursday in the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas charges the Reds with negligence in failing to maintain safe field conditions and specifically cites the presence of the unpadded metal tarp roller. '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.' Ruf was playing first base for Milwaukee when he was injured during the third inning of the Brewers' 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Reds on June 2, 2023. In the third inning, Ruf was chasing a foul pop when his knee hit the end of the tarp roller. According to the complaint, Ruf suffered 'permanent and substantial deformities to his knee.' Ruf went on the 60-day injured list and never played in the major leagues again. Ruf's complaint says the end of the tarp roller was made of sharp metal and had no protective cushioning or cap. '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.' The Reds had no immediate response to a message seeking comment. Ruf is seeking punitive and compensatory damages. The complaint says the Reds didn't take reasonable precautions to keep the stadium safe and also are liable for the negligent acts of the grounds crew's 'reckless' conduct. Ruf, 38, played in the majors from 2012-23 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 percentage, 67 homers and 205 RBIs in 582 career games.
CNN
23-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Former Brewers player Darin Ruf sues Reds over injury in Cincinnati that ended his career
Former major league outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf is suing the Cincinnati Reds for damages after he suffered a career-ending injury while crashing into an uncovered tarp roller at Great American Ballpark two years ago. The lawsuit filed Thursday in the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas charges the Reds with negligence in failing to maintain safe field conditions and specifically cites the presence of the unpadded metal tarp roller. '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.' Ruf was playing first base for Milwaukee when he was injured during the third inning of the Brewers' 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Reds on June 2, 2023. In the third inning, Ruf was chasing a foul pop when his knee hit the end of the tarp roller. According to the complaint, Ruf suffered 'permanent and substantial deformities to his knee.' Ruf went on the 60-day injured list and never played in the major leagues again. Ruf's complaint says the end of the tarp roller was made of sharp metal and had no protective cushioning or cap. '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.' The Reds had no immediate response to a message seeking comment. Ruf is seeking punitive and compensatory damages. The complaint says the Reds didn't take reasonable precautions to keep the stadium safe and also are liable for the negligent acts of the grounds crew's 'reckless' conduct. Ruf, 38, played in the majors from 2012-23 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 percentage, 67 homers and 205 RBIs in 582 career games.
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Former MLB player suing ex-division rival over career-ending injury: 'Obvious and avoidable risk'
An ex-Major League Baseball player is blaming a former opponent for his career-ending injury. Darin Ruf played first base for the Milwaukee Brewers June 2, 2023, in a game against the NL Central rival Cincinnati Reds. Little did he know it would be the final game of his career. In the third inning, Ruf was chasing a pop-up in foul territory when his knee crashed into the end of the field tarp roller. Ruf badly cut his knee and limped off the field with the help of a trainer. Ruf's complaint says the end of the tarp roller was made of sharp metal and had no protective cushioning or cap. The TV broadcast of the game said there was a "significant hunk of metal … that doesn't give very much." Ruf went on the 60-day injured list and never played in the major leagues again. His initial injury, aside from the laceration, was ruled a non-displaced fracture of his patella. But, according to Ruf's complaint, he suffered "permanent and substantial deformities to his knee." "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." "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." The Reds did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The situation is similar to Dustin Fowler's. In his major league debut in 2017, he injured a knee in Chicago after running into an electrical box while chasing down a pop fly. Fowler, who would have led off the next inning for his first plate appearance in the majors, sued the White Sox for negligence. The Yankees traded him roughly a month after the injury for Sonny Gray, and Fowler's first MLB hit came against Gray the next year. Ruf, 38, played in 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 percentage, 67 homers and 205 RBI in 582 career games. At the time of the injury, Ruf was playing in his 11th game with the Brewers after playing in nine games in his second stint with the Giants. He had been designated for assignment by San Francisco before joining Milwaukee. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
