Derek Jeter looked at the front page of a tabloid, the one that had a composite photo of his smiling face atop a chicken’s body and the headline, “Cluck You!”
He just shook his head.
“What happened?” the Yankees shortstop said.
What happened was that Mets closer Frank Francisco told the New York Post this week, “I can’t wait to face those chickens” before his team hosted the crosstown rival Yankees in a three-game series that started Friday night at Citi Field.
Jeter and his teammates were more confused by the comment than upset by it.
“I can’t be insulted by something I don’t understand,” Jeter said.
“What kind of chickens?” Alex Rodriguez said. “Like organic chicken? Rotisserie chickens? I like chickens. Chickens can be good. You’re (the media) not going to get me on this one.”
Francisco did not chicken out Friday afternoon, explaining what he meant by his odd comment. He said he thinks the Yankees often protest the umpires’ calls.
“I (made) a simple comment because they complain a lot for everything,” Francisco said.
Never has chicken played so prominent a role in a Yankees story line since the fake George Steinbrenner agreed to trade George Costanza to Tyler Chicken for a fermented chicken drink and other poultry products on an episode of “Seinfeld.”
On Friday, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said three chicken companies inquired about sponsoring the Subway Series this weekend.
HOLLYWOOD HAMILTON
Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton and his wife, Katie, confirmed they have agreed to the creation of a feature film about his life.
In a statement released before the Rangers’ game against the Colorado Rockies, the Hamiltons said they were approached by actor/director Casey Affleck and Thunder Road Pictures.
PEREZ ON PINE TAR
Outspoken Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez said he believes there are pitchers on every team who use pine tar and other substances to manipulate the ball.
Clarifying comments he made earlier on a satellite radio show, Perez, a former Cardinal, said he wasn’t specifically calling out St. Louis for doing it. Instead he was saying that he’s only been with two teams and “more guys did it on the Cardinals than here.”
SHORT HOPS
Felipe Paulino tore a ligament in his right elbow and likely will become the fourth Royals pitcher to have Tommy John surgery this season. … Former major league outfielder Chad Curtis has been ordered to stand trial on charges he touched two female students at a Michigan high school where he was a volunteer strength trainer in the school’s weight room. … The White Sox placed pitcher Philip Humber on the 15-day disabled list because of a right elbow flexor strain and designated outfielder Kosuke Fukudome for assignment. … Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold will have surgery on his neck, a procedure that probably will end his season.… The Rangers placed first baseman Mitch Moreland on the 15-day DL and designated pitcher Mark Hamburger for assignment to clear roster space for Roy Oswalt. … Outfielder Jon Jay (shoulder) and first baseman Matt Carpenter (oblique) were activated from the Cardinals’ DL. … The Brewers signed veteran right-hander Livan Hernandez to a one-year contract. … The barrel of a broken bat hit plate umpire Jerry Layne on the left side of the head, forcing him to be taken to a hospital for tests during a game between the Twins and Reds.
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