Former Phils GM Lee Thomas on Dykstra

Former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas acquired Lenny Dykstra, Roger McDowell and a player to be named later from the New York Mets for Juan Samuel in June 1989. The deal was completed a month later when the Phillies got Tom Edens. Dykstra signed a 3-year, $7.3 million contract with the Phillies in August 1990, and a 4-year, $24.9 million extension in December 1993.
The Daily News' Mark Kram caught up with Thomas, who is retired, for his thoughts on Dykstra:



"No matter what he did, whether he gambled or played baseball, he was a red-light player. When that red light came on, Lenny was ready. I really, really feel so bad for this stuff that is happening to him. He signed a big contract when I was there . . . Somewhere along the line, I don't know what happened.