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.
