Former MLB player Lenny Dykstra said he used to hire private investigators to dig up dirt on umpires so he could use the information to get calls to go his way during games.

Dykstra, who was part of the Mets' World Series championship team in 1986, told Colin Cowherd that he "pulled out half a million bucks" to hire a private investigation team to follow umpires during their personal lives.

"Their blood's just as red as ours," Dykstra said during the interview. "Some of them like women, some of them like men, some of them gamble, some of them do whatever."

Dykstra said he hired the private eyes while he "was trying to get the money" before signing a four-year contract extension with the Phillies in 1993.

"It wasn't a coincidence, you think, that I led the league in walks the next few years, was it? I don't think. I know," Dykstra said. "Fear does a lot to a man."

Dykstra then imitated a conversation he had with a home plate umpire to get a smaller strike zone.

'Hey, did you cover last night?' He calls a strike. 'Oh, I don't think you heard me, did you cover the spread last night?'" he said before using hand motions to signify a shrinking of the strike zone. "I had to do what I had to do to win and to support my family."

I know the dude's a piece of shit, but...

I don't believe that for a second.

Especially if that's the way he said he presented it. Cool story though.

of course it's a lie. The catcher would hear everything he said which immediately destroys the ability to blackmail.

I loved Nails as a player but he is a liar, cheat, thief and lowlife.

Kind of surprised anyone believes anything he says....and then prints it.