Before this weekend’s Subway Series, Mets closer Frank Francisco notably called the Yankees a bunch of “chickens.” It was funny because it’s such a childlike insult. Everybody had a good laugh about it (see the New York Post’s take on it here), especially Francisco’s own teammates.
After the quote started getting attention, Mets reliever Tim Byrdak paid $8 for a chicken on Friday and presented it to Francisco saying it was a gift from the Yankees. When the closer started fuming, Byrdak revealed the prank and all was good.
But rather that give the bird away or turn it into supper, the Mets kept the bird around in the clubhouse, and they had a new mascot in “Little Jerry.” Fans of “Seinfeld” ought to get the reference. Leave it to a bunch of jocks to give a chicken a guy’s name.
“Of course he’s worth it,” Byrdak said after Friday’s win over the Yanks. “We scored five in the first.”
But after Saturday’s loss, it appears maybe the Mets think Little Jerry’s luck has run out (either that or they came to their senses about keeping a farm animal in the clubhouse). According to a video Byrdak posted on Twitter on Sunday, the bird is being sent to Farm Sanctuary in upstate New York.
It was a good run, Little Jerry. And just be glad the Mets don’t have Pedro Cerrano.
