The Athletics have a new player who is not a wannabe architect but rather a relief pitcher.
Athletics pitcher Jason Alexander entered the team’s game against the New York Mets on Sunday and immediately drew attention because of his name. Alexander, of course, shares a name with acting legend Jason Alexander, who is most famous for playing George Costanza on “Seinfeld.”
The local television broadcast even hilariously referred to Alexander during Sunday’s game as “right-hander George Costanza.” On top of that, a fan could be heard yelling out “Serenity Now!” as Alexander was about to deliver his first pitch.
The righty Alexander, 32, was an undrafted free agent in 2017 who previously spent time in the minors with the Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Boston Red Sox organizations. He made his MLB debut with the Brewers in 2022 but made just five appearances in relief for them that year.
Last November, Alexander then signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics before being promoted to the MLB roster earlier this month. Sunday was Alexander’s second big-league appearance this season, having debuted for the Athletics during the series opener against the Mets on Friday.
Unfortunately though, Alexander ended up allowing four runs over his 1.2 innings of work on Sunday, so the “Serenity Now!” line was plenty appropriate. Now Alexander is going to have to worry about shrinkage (of his ERA) or else risk becoming known as Lord of the Idiots.
At the very least though, it was fitting that Alexander (who may or may not have a son named Seven) made his season debut against the Mets. That is a team with plenty of history when it comes to “Seinfeld” lore.
