Nailed!: The Improbable Rise and Spectacular Fall of Lenny Dykstra

Financial journalist Frankie (Newsday, The Financial Times) spins a dizzying, multifarious tale of his employer, mentor, and childhood hero: the mercurial outfielder-turned-stock-market-wunderkind-turned-criminal formerly known as Leonard Kyle Leswick. This is a decadent, debauched journey with nary a normal moment. From his humble beginnings littered with troubling social behavior%E2%80%94"[Lenny's] hijinks expanded beyond hurling turds"%E2%80%94the little grinder never lacked selfish ambition. Dykstra's desire to make a quick buck became toxic later in life, wherein he spurned everyone close to him. And despite sporadic "random acts of generosity", his self-destructive habits result in imprison-ment, where the big-leaguer is depicted exposing himself to passersby through a bed sheet. In mythol-ogizing Dykstra, Frankie is at times ebullient, but this account is replete with horror stories. A refusal to pay employees is unforgiveable, but propositioning potential employees for sexual favors is perhaps the most egregious example of Dykstra's depravity. It's unclear whether this is all a ruse, whether this is just another of #4's games%E2%80%94the text reads as an absolution of sorts. A lackadaisical, "boys will be boys" attitude is smattered throughout; it echoes another of Dykstra's get-rich-quick schemes, printed on glossy stock and delivered to every athlete in town. (Apr.)