Former major league outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf is suing the Cincinna
ti Reds for damages after he suffered a career-ending injury while crashing into an u
ncovered tarp roller at Great American Ballpark two years ago.
The lawsuit filed T
mmon Pleas charges the Reds with negligence in failing to maintain safe field cond
itions 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. Pl
ayers shouldn’t have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a major league field.”
Ruf was playing first ba
se for Milwaukee when he was injured during the third inning of the Brewers’ 5-4, 1
1-inning victory over th
e Reds on June 2, 2023. I
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n the third inning, Ruf was chasing a foul pop when his knee hit the end of the tarp roller.
According to the comp
laint, Ruf suffered “permanent and substantial deformities to his knee.” Ru
f went on the 60-day injured list and never played in the major leagues again.
Ruf’s complaint says th
e 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 p
ecautions to keep the stadium safe and also are liable for the negligent acts of the grounds crew’s “reckless” conduct.