newYou can listen to Fox's news articles!
Former major league baseball players have blamed their former opponents for injuries that ended his career.
Darin Ruf played 1 base for the Milwaukee Brewers on June 2, 2023 in a match against NL Central rivals Cincinnati Reds. Little did he know that it would be the final game of his career.
In the third inning, Ruf was chasing a pop-up in the foul area as his knee hit the edge of the field's turplorer. Ruf cut his knee badly and limped out of the field with the help of a trainer.
For sports coverage on foxnews.com, click here
The Milwaukee Brewers designated batter Darrinroof bats in their first innings in St. Louis on May 16, 2023 against the St. Louis Cardinals. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Ruf's complaints say the end of the TARP roller was made of sharp metal and lacked protective cushions or caps. The game's television broadcast said, “There's a fair amount of metal chunks… I don't give that much.”
Ruf was on the 60-day injury list and never played again in the major leagues.
His first injury, except for the laceration, ruled a nondisplaced fracture of his patella. However, according to Ruf's complaints, he suffered “permanent and substantial deformity in his knee.”
“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.”
Darrin Luff (25), who was designated as batter by the Milwaukee Brewers, hit a single in eight innings against the Houston Astros at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 22, 2023. (Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network)
Man indicted for giving alcohol to a minor pirate fan who fell on the field: Report
“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 immediately reply to requests for comment.
The situation is similar to that of Dustin Fowler. In his 2017 major league debut, he suffered a knee injury in Chicago after encountering an electric box while chasing a pop fly. Fowler, who led the next innings for his first plate appearance in the majors, sued the White Sox for negligence.
The Yankees traded him about a month after Sony Gray's injuries, and Fowler's first MLB hit came against Gray the following year.
Ruf, 38, played in majors from 2012 to 2023 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.
Milwaukee Brewers' baseman Darrin Luff will apply the tag at Bush Stadium in St. Louis on May 17, 2022 during a match against the St. Louis Cardinals. (Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire)
Click here to get the Fox News app
At the time of injury, Ruf was playing nine games in his second stint with the Giants before his 11th game against the Brewers. He was designated for a mission by San Francisco before joining Milwaukee.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital's Sports Coverage on X and subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
