Seinfeld a big hit in guest spot in Mets' TV booth
Jerry Seinfeld and wife Jessica Sklar Seinfeld talk in their suite prior to the game between the New York Yankees and New York Mets at CitiField. Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
"You could do this, you know,'' Gary Cohen said, several innings into Jerry Seinfeld's debut as a (sort of) Mets play-by-play man.
Said Seinfeld: "I think I am doing it.''
Well, yes and no. The comedian and Mets fan naturally came to the task with a less-than-conventional approach, spending 41/2 innings on SNY last night blending shtick with play-by-play with Mets nostalgia.
Seinfeld's wife, Jessica, arranged the visit as a Father's Day gift, and he called it a "gigantic thrill and an honor.''
It was the first time Seinfeld and Keith Hernandez had spoken extensively since they worked together on "The Boyfriend," a two-part "Seinfeld'' episode in 1992.
Seinfeld said he never was more excited to work with someone on the show.
What did Seinfeld think of Hernandez's performance? "It was good. I mean, this guy never did that before. He looked better than I would wielding a bat.''
Mostly Seinfeld, who said he attends about 30 Mets games per season, stuck to baseball, with a comic twist.
When the Tigers' Johnny Damon caught a fly ball, he said, "Is that Johnny Damon in center? What is he doing out there? Get him in. He can't cover that much ground!''
Later, he tweaked Hernandez for a between-innings catnap he took earlier this season. "There's nothing wrong with falling asleep by the way, on the job, let me say that,'' he said.
"Because when a guy's head hits the desk, you know you are getting every last nickel out of that guy; he is working as hard as he can.''
Seinfeld sharply criticized Lady Gaga on WFAN Monday for her behavior at a Mets game June 10, during which the flamboyant singer spent time in Seinfeld's suite without his knowledge.
Last night he told Hernandez and Cohen, "I think it's fair to say we're all big fans of Lady Gaga; lame, out-of-it white guys in their mid-50s is her core audience.
"But I'm very protective of my Mets fans. I love my Mets fans, and I did not like the [middle] finger. It was disrespectful.''Later, he tweaked Hernandez for a between-innings catnap he took earlier this season.
"There's nothing wrong with falling asleep by the way, on the job, let me say that,'' he said.
"Because when a guy's head hits the desk, you know you are getting every last nickel out of that guy; he is working as hard as he can.''
