Ex-Brewer Sues Reds Over Career-Ending Injury At Great American Ball Park

Former Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf is suing the Cincinnati Reds for damages after he suffered a career-ending injury while crashing into an uncovered tarp roller two years ago at the Great American Ball Park.

Ruf was playing first base when he was injured during the Brewers’ win against the Reds in extra innings. Ruf was chasing a foul pop when he hit his knee on the end of the tarp roller. Ruf went on the 60-day injured list and never played in the majors again.

Ruf’s complaint stated that the end of the tarp roller was made of sharp metal and had no protective cushioning on it.

“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 lawsuit filed on Thursday in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas charged the Reds with negligence in failing to maintain safe field conditions 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. Players shouldn’t have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a major league field.”

Ruf is seeking punitive and compensatory damages due to him suffering “permanent and substantial deformities to his knee,” according to the complaint.

Ruff played in the majors for 11 years with teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets and ended his career with the Brewers due to injury.

In 582 games, Ruf recorded 67 home runs and 205 RBIs while batting .239 with a .329 on-base percentage.

The Reds had no immediate response to a message seeking a comment on the situation.