Lenny Dykstra: I blackmailed umpires to get more walks

Former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra claims he hired private investigators to dig up dirt on umpires in exchange for favorable balls and strike calls prior to signing his record-breaking contract in 1993.

Dykstra explained the apparent blackmailing scheme Tuesday on Colin Cowherd's radio show, telling the host he's the first person he's ever shared the elaborate tale with.

"I just pulled a half million bucks and hired a private investigation team to follow them. Their blood is just as red as ours. Some of them like women, some of them like men, some of them gamble, some of them do whatever," said Dykstra, who became the richest leadoff hitter in baseball history when he signed a guaranteed $24.9-million extension with the Philadelphia Phillies before the 1994 season.

When asked when exactly he concocted the plan, Dykstra said, "After I got the money ... when I was trying to get the money. It wasn't a coincidence you think that I led the league in walks the next few years, was it? ... I had to do what I had to do to win and support my family."

Dykstra led all MLB players with 129 walks in 1993, 40 more than any other season in his career. The three-time All-Star also detailed to Cowherd during the candid interview his history of legal troubles and well-documented use of steroids.