LITTLE ROCK — No soup for Mets; ‘Jerry free’
The New York Mets’ new mascot is being retired after a three-day cup of coffee in the majors.
A chicken, dubbed “Little Jerry Seinfeld” after being purchased by reliever Tim Byrdak on Friday for $8, will be sent to Farm Sanctuary to live out his remaining days, ESPN New York reported Sunday.
The chicken was handed over to representatives during a pre-game ceremony.
“Little Jerry Seinfeld” was selected by a Mets clubhouse attendant in Chinatown, with Byrdak’s money, after Mets closer Frank Francisco created a stir by calling the New York Yankees “chickens.”
The bird was named after Kramer’s cockfighting chicken from a 1997 episode of “Seinfeld,” and was give free reign in the locker room ahead of the Mets’ 6-4 victory over their Bronx rivals Friday.
“We’re thrilled that this chicken will get to enjoy his days with the other chickens at Farm Sanctuary,” Farm Sanctuary spokesman Meredith Turner said. “He’s a very lucky bird, luckier than the rest of the market and the others who suffer. We couldn’t be more thrilled. Tim contacted us and made sure this bird would be able to enjoy the life that all chickens deserve.”
Since “Little Jerry Seinfeld” joined the Mets, he’s been stored in a cage at Citi Field, with a team chef feeding him oatmeal, berries and bread after researching appropriate food choices.
The gag elicited chuckles, but Byrdak said the team realized it needed to find a permanent solution. Preferably, one that didn’t involve a deep fryer.
“We really didn’t think the whole process through of actually having a live chicken and what we were going to do afterwards with him,” Byrdak said. “So we decided we need to find a home for this thing pretty quick because we were going on the road.” Pair of queens
Flown into England to Royal Ascot and a run before Queen Elizabeth, Black Caviar remained ‘The Wonder from Down Under.”
Holding off a challenge from Moonlight Cloud and Restiadargent, the Australian champion sprinter landed her 22nd consecutive victory in Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
Even if jockey Luke Nolen confessed he was over-confident aboard the mount and a 1-6 favorite.
“It was an error that every apprentice is taught not to do and I got away with it today,” Nolen said, according to Reuters. “I probably just underestimated the testing track.”
Black Caviar took the lead at halfway and moved clear of the field but was caught in the closing stages of the 6-furlong sprint, with the outcome decided in a photo finish.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth came down to the paddock afterwards to admire the mighty mare and offer her a pat of congratulations.
Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody said it was quite overwhelming to meet the Queen adding: “There is no doubt that Her Majesty is certainly a horse lover - the two queens of Australia maybe?” Sticky subject
The potent goal-scoring ability of Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo is well-known for eliciting sweaty palms from opponents.
Now, his dark locks have started a tizzy among supermodels, according to the New York Post.
Former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girls Bar Rafaeli and Irina Shayk “got into a Twitter cat fight” over Ronaldo’s “super gelled” hair.
“The only thing I can think of when I watch Ronaldo is that hair gel should really be outlawed!” Rafaeli said of Shayk’s boyfriend on the popular social media website.
Shayk, who has been dating the soccer stud for more than two years, wrote back: “Being a hater is not a cute look. Learn to love.”
And Rafaeli sought a concilliatory tone, while also affirming her distaste for styling products.
“I love u and I love ur BF. I just don’t like hair gel,” Rafaeli wrote.
Quote of the day
“You’d almost rather make a few birdies coming in to win, rather than have someone hand it to you. But having said that, I’m not going to give this back or anything.” Marc Leishman, who won the Travelers Championship Sunday after leader Charley Hoffman blew a 2-shot lead on the final two holes
Sports, Pages 14 on 06/25/2012