Former Major League Baseball star Lenny Dykstra pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced to a year of probation, but he will not spend any time behind bars, according to Pike County District Attorney Ray Tonkin.
A resident of Scranton for the past few years, Dykstra was charged on New Year’s Day with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after state police stopped a vehicle in which he was the front-seat passenger, near Lake Wallenpaupack.
The more serious charge of possession of a controlled substance was dismissed.
A police affidavit said Dykstra immediately turned over to police a small pouch containing a small amount of narcotics, either crack cocaine or meth. Dykstra told troopers that Kevin Zelna, the driver of the vehicle, put the items in the pouch, according to a criminal complaint.
Zelna, 37, faces seven misdemeanor charges and 10 summary counts, includING driving under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and possessing forged documents. His charges are still pending in Pike County, according to court documents.
In the six months since his most current arrest, Dykstra successfully completed a rehabilitation program and continues to attend Steamtown Church, where he was baptized in May.
Believing for a strong future
Dykstra and the church’s pastor, Dennis D’Augostine, have forged a close friendship over the last several years, in and out of the church building.
Following Thursday’s sentence, D’Augostine commended his friend for the progress he has made and which continues.
“The judge commended Lenny for his six months of sobriety, and it was encouraging to hear,” he said. “Today was clear evidence that Lenny has been doing everything the right way. His family is incredibly encouraged by the progress he’s made, his friends are cheering him on, and he’s deeply grateful for everything Marworth and Clearbrook have done for him, but most importantly God.”
Geisinger Marworth Treatment Center and Clearbrook Treatment Centers work with people suffering from substance abuse.
A circle of friends
In March, Darryl Strawberry traveled to Scranton to do a motivational video with Dykstra at the church, before having lunch at Cooper’s Seafood.
Dykstra and Strawberry were teammates on the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets.
After playing for the Mets for four years, Dykstra was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1989. He played his final game with Philadelphia and as an MLB player in 1996.
Both men struggled with addiction and legal challenges following their baseball careers.
During an interview at the lunch, Dykstra said he was grateful for the opportunity to change his life.
He said he was thankful Strawberry traveled to the area to support him in his recovery, and for D’Augostine, who helped make that possible.
“It’s been a long road, but the growth and commitment he’s shown over these past six months have been evident to everyone,” D’Augostine said. “We’re all believing this is just the beginning of an even stronger future for him.”
