Lenny Dykstra, the man known as "Nails," is one of baseball's most colorful characters of all-time if we're including off-field actions once his playing career was concluded. Bleacher Report's Scott Miller runs through almost all of it in a long and excellent article on Monday. Those interested in Dykstra should definitely go check it out.In doing so, you'll run across this passage, regarding Dykstra getting on steroids before the 1990 season. 
Dykstra had just been traded to the Phillies and had been told he would have the chance to start everyday in center field. He was coming off a poor season and looked at this as his last chance to make big money. Take it away, Dykstra, via Miller:
Dykstra had just been traded to the Phillies and had been told he would have the chance to start everyday in center field. He was coming off a poor season and looked at this as his last chance to make big money. Take it away, Dykstra, via Miller:
"So I knew '90 was it for me. So that's why I went to the library in Mississippi and looked it up. Ben Johnson, remember? (Johnson, the 100-meter gold medalist in the 1988 Olympics was stripped of his medal when he failed a drug test for steroid use.) I literally called up some doctor in Mississippi and told him the story I'm telling you. I have a family. I have a chance to make a lot of money. It's not that I can't play. I know how to do that. You don't have to teach me that. "But the schedule is six months. I'm just not physically big enough to hold up. If I can just stay strong..."He did research in a library and cold called a doctor! This is outstanding.
How did Nails do in 1990? Well, in 1989 he hit .237/.318/.356. In 1990 he hit .325/.418/.441. He led the NL with 192 hits and in on-base percentage. In 1993, he'd finish second in NL MVP voting after leading the league in runs, hits and walks.Dykstra further tells Miller that he got the idea to juice on his own, not from any teammates or league-mates.Again, those interested should read the full story. It's very entertaining.
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