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.
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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.
Former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman sues Cincinnati Reds
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.
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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.
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