Cincinnati
AP
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Former Major League outfielder/one baseman Darrin Luff is suing the Cincinnati Reds for damages after suffering a career-ending injury while colliding with a turplorer covered at the Great American Ballpark two years ago.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in the Common Plea Court of Hamilton County (Ohio) accused the Reds of negligence that they were unable to maintain safe site conditions, particularly citing the presence of unpainted metal terprolers.
“This didn’t have to happen,” Ruf said in a statement. “I hope that didn’t happen. Players don’t need to worry about such hidden dangers in the major league field.”
Ruf was playing Milwaukee’s 1 base on June 2, 2023 when he was injured in three innings of Brewers’ 5-4, 11 wins against the Reds. In the three innings, Ruf was chasing foul pop as his knee hit the edge of the turplorer.
According to the complaint, Ruf suffered “permanent and substantial deformity in his knee.” Ruf was on the 60-day injury list and never played again in the major leagues.
Ruf’s complaints say the end of the TARP roller was made of sharp metal and lacked protective cushions or caps.
“This was an obvious and avoidable risk,” Ruf’s lawyer Tad Thomas said at his release announcing the case. “There are basic safety protocols that every MLB team should follow. It is not permitted to leave untreated metal rollers at the edges of the field.”
The Reds did not receive an immediate response to messages seeking comment.
Ruf seeks punitive and compensatory damages. The complaint states that the Reds have not taken reasonable precautions to keep the stadium safe and are also liable for negligent acts by the ground crew in “reckless” actions.
Ruf, 38, played majors from 2012-23 with the Philadelphia Phillies (2012-16), the San Francisco Giants (2020-22, 2023), the New York Mets (2022) and the Brewer (2023). He hit .239 with a .329 on-base percentage, 67 Homer and 205 RBI in 582 career games.