"Seinfeld" Athlete Appearances/References (Baseball Edition)

Posted by Matt Sebek, July 24, 2009

On Episode 23 of the JoeSportsFan Show, we asked our distinguished panel (Traina, Levy and Povia), "What is your favorite athlete appearance/reference on a Seinfeld episode?" We also threw the question to our Twitter faithful and were barraged with a cornucopia of tremendous Seinfeld athlete references.

The familiar favorites (Keith Hernandez, Paul O'Neill and Buck Showalter) were all mentioned. As more responses came in, it became ever-necessary to compile an aggregate list of all Seinfeld athlete appearances and/or references - especially since some of the obscure ones are the most fun. Today, we present a compiled list of professional baseball players mentioned throughout the storied history of "Seinfeld". Next week, we'll run a list of the remaining athletes. If we missed any, drop it in the comments or shoot us a message over on Twitter.

Yogi Berra (C, NY Yankees; '46-'63)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Hank Bauer (OF, NY Yankees; '48-'59)
Episode 55 (Season 4): "The Visa"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Wade Boggs (3B, NY Yankees; '94-'97)
Episode 87 (Season 6): "The Chaperone"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Barry Bonds (OF, no NY ties)
Episode 122 (Season 7): "The Caddy"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Clete Boyer (3B, NY Yankees; '59-'66)
Episode 55 (Season 4): "The Visa"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Jay Buhner (OF, NY Yankees; '88)
Episode 122 (Season 7): "The Caddy"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Joe DiMaggio (OF, NY Yankees; '36-'51)
Episode 18 (Season 3): "The Note"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 86 (Season 5): "The Opposite"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Doug Drabek (P, NY Yankees; '86)
Episode 61 (Season 4): "The Smelly Car"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

John Franco (P, NY Mets; '90-'04)
Episode 30 (Season 3): "The Subway"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Lou Gehrig (1B, NY Yankees; '23-'39)
Episode 86 (Season 5): "The Opposite"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 154 (Season 8): "The Millennium"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Ken Griffey Jr. (OF, no NY ties)
Episode 122 (Season 7): "The Caddy"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Dallas Green (P, NY Mets; '66)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Keith Hernandez (1B, NY Mets; '83-'89)
Episode 34 (Season 3): "The Boyfriend (1)"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Episode 35 (Season 3): "The Boyfriend (2)"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Episode 179 (Season 9): "The Finale"
Note: casted, no lines, appeared

Dick Howser (SS, NY Yankees; '67-'68)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Hideki Irabu (P, NY Yankees; '97-'99)
Seinfeld Paul O'Neill

Episode 179 (Season 9): "The Finale"
Note: referenced, no lines, appeared

Derek Jeter (SS, NY Yankees; '95-'09)
Episode 143 (Season 8): "The Abstinence"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Bob Lemon (MGR, NY Yankees; '78-'82)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Mickey Mantle (OF, NY Yankees; '51-'68)
Episode 7 (Season 2): "The Pony Remark"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 55 (Season 4): "The Visa"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 59 (Season 4): "The Implant"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 86 (Season 5): "The Opposite"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 123 (Season 7): "The Seven"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Billy Martin (MGR, NY Yankees; '75-'79, '83, '85, '88)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Don Mattingly (1B, NY Yankees; '82-'95)
Episode 86 (Season 5): "The Opposite"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 87 (Season 6): "The Chaperone"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 133 (Season 7): "The Wait Out"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Roger McDowell (P, NY Mets '85-'88)
Episode 34 (Season 3): "The Boyfriend (1)"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Episode 35 (Season 3): "The Boyfriend (2)"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Willie McGee (OF, Drafted by NY Yankees in '77)
Episode 61 (Season 4): "The Smelly Car"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Fred McGriff (1B, Drafted by NY Yankees in '81)
Episode 61 (Season 4): "The Smelly Car"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Gene Michael (SS, NY Yankees; '69-'74)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Paul O'Neill (OF, NY Yankees '93-'01)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Joe Pepitone (1B/OF, NY Yankees '62-'69)
Episode 55 (Season 4): "The Visa"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 94 (Season 6): "The Mom and Pop Store"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 121 (Season 7): "The Rye"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Ken Phelps (OF, NY Yankees '88)
Episode 122 (Season 7): "The Caddy"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Lou Piniella (MGR, NY Yankees; '86-'88)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Phil Rizzuto (SS, NY Yankees '41-'57)
Episode 150 (Season 8): "The Pothole"
Note: referenced, spoke/appeared (as a George's key chain)

Babe Ruth (P/1B/OF, NY Yankees '20-'34)
Episode 86 (Season 5): "The Opposite"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Episode 154 (Season 8): "The Millennium"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Buck Showalter (MGR, NY Yankees '92-'95)
Episode 87 (Season 6): "The Chaperone"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Moose Skowron (1B, NY Yankees '54-'62)
Episode 55 (Season 4): "The Visa"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Danny Tartabull (OF, NY Yankees '92-'94)
Episode 87 (Season 6): "The Chaperone"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Episode 89 (Season 6): "The Pledge Drive"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Bill Virdon (C, Amateur FA signing by Yankees in '50)
Episode 114 (Season 7): "The Wink"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Bernie Williams (OF, NY Yankees '91-'06)
Episode 143 (Season 8): "The Abstinence"
Note: casted, speaking lines, appeared

Mookie Wilson (OF, NY Mets '80-'81)
Episode 35 (Season 3): "The Boyfriend (2)"
Note: referenced, no lines, no appearance

Read More: MLB Seinfeld

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Shawn, July 26, 2009 10:07 PM

Jordan at the Gardens (Nazis)Broduer and Messier Richer (Face Painter)

Brad, July 26, 2009 03:07 PM

Alan,It was Carlos Martinez. He played 1st base. Best known for hitting the homer that bounced off of Canseco's head.

Alan, July 26, 2009 01:07 AM

From "The Wink" episode - during the play by play one Paul O'Neill's "inside the park homer", they mention "Belle" (as in Albert) and Alomar (Sandy). They also mention a "Martinez" but I don't recall anyone named Martinez playing for the Indians during that time period.

Satchmo, July 26, 2009 12:07 AM

Boy, how things changed for the Yankees in the mid 90s. Tartabull was one of their marquee players in the years before Torre, Jeter, O'Neill, etc. came in and started winning titles. I still chuckle when I think of George giving Tartabull hitting advice. Come to think of it, Tartabull hit in NY like he was actually following George's advice.

Sebek, July 25, 2009 01:07 PM

Good call on Boggs, Guillermo. I can't thank everyone enough for their contributions. It's really helping make this list more impressive.

Guillermo, July 25, 2009 01:07 PM

Wade Boggs was referenced in episode 1, season 6 (The Chaperone), making an statement about the cotton uniforms George proposed for the Yankees, in the same line as Luis Polonia and Paul O'Neill. Boggs was quotes as saying: 'What a fabric! Finally we can breathe.'

Guillermo, July 25, 2009 01:07 PM

Robert, July 25, 2009 11:07 AM

What about Steinbrenner! He's an owner, one of the more memorable characters on the show, and definitely should be in this list.

Dave, July 24, 2009 09:07 PM

Thank you Sebek. Too good of a character not to be acknowledged

Sebek, July 24, 2009 07:07 PM

I definitely have Gendeson down on the "Other Seinfeld Athletes (non baseball)" list...since he's not a real ball player.

Dave, July 24, 2009 07:07 PM

Come on. GENDESON!

Jeff , July 24, 2009 06:07 PM

I don't know if Bill Virdon was DRAFTED as a catcher, but he played the outfield in the majors.

Mike, July 24, 2009 05:07 PM

George Steinbrenner anyone?

Tom, July 24, 2009 03:07 PM

I believe Luis Polonia was referenced by a commentator when Jerry was watching a game on the tube.

Sebek, July 24, 2009 03:07 PM

Tartabull is there. And there's a picture. Little early to be drinking. melo.

Sebek, July 24, 2009 03:07 PM

The Real Coop - very nicely done on the Charlie Hayes reference.

Melo, July 24, 2009 03:07 PM

How could you miss Danny Tartabull?

A.S., July 24, 2009 02:07 PM

I meant George and Jerry

A.S., July 24, 2009 02:07 PM

Michael Jordan, in the episode where George and Kramer pretend to be Nazis, and also when Jerry tries to break up with his annoying boyhood friend who had a pingpong table

The Real Coop, July 24, 2009 02:07 PM

And what about Charlie Hayes? Kramer yells down at him (they show him briefly I believe) during a game "this ain't Philadelphia, Charlie, .230 won't cut it in this town!"

Dave, July 24, 2009 02:07 PM

Not a real baseball player, but on the show, former baseball player Steve Gendeson gets in an argument with Kramer over golf and then kills Pinkus the dry cleaner. Poor little Pinkus

The Real Coop, July 24, 2009 02:07 PM

Jerome Brown sighting in "The Masseuse" when they show highlights of a Giants\Eagles game that Elaine\Kramer and Joel Rifkin attend. Also, I know Jerry referenced George "The Animal" Steele one time, I believe, when talking about "Man Hands".

Roffe, July 24, 2009 02:07 PM

Reggie Miller, Sheryl MillerForgot the name of the episode but it's the one where Kramer goes to a strip club with Reggie and Spike Lee after a brawl in the garden. Classic

Coop, July 24, 2009 01:07 PM

Had to go back and look it up - they mention several Mets: Gooden, Bonilla, Murray, Coleman.

Sebek, July 24, 2009 01:07 PM

Coop - added it. Well done.

Coop, July 24, 2009 01:07 PM

In the ep where Jerry is riding the subway to Coney Island and talking to the naked guy about the Mets - "They need a bullpen." "Bullpen? They got Franco. They need team leaders."

TheSportsHernia, July 24, 2009 01:07 PM

Oh, by the way, tomorrow night, Paull O'Neill has to catch a fly ball in his hat.

Sebek, July 24, 2009 01:07 PM

Have all of the "other" (non-baseball) athletes contained in another list. Stay tuned.

Jason, PA, July 24, 2009 12:07 PM

Reggie Miller getting kicked out of a Knicks game...leading to a Knicks 37 point win.

DL, July 24, 2009 12:07 PM

Brodeur and Messier..."The face painter" episode

gscott5076, July 24, 2009 12:07 PM

Not sure if this counts either, but in the episode where Kramer decides to observe DST before everyone else, he goes to knicks game, sits next to spike lee, gets into a fight with reggie miller, then they all go to a strip club. elaine also says she didnt know cheryl miller had a brother

barry, July 24, 2009 12:07 PM

not sure this counts, but it is worth mentioning:Episode 9 (Season 5): "The Masseuse"This is the episode where Elaine is dating Joel Rifkin, a man who shares his name with a New York serial killer. He's paged over the PA system at a Giants game and LAWRENCE TAYLOR is shown, stopped in his tracks during the game.

Sebek, July 24, 2009 12:07 PM

SirHillary - well done. There should be a separate list of "players named by Frank Costanza".

Steph, July 24, 2009 12:07 PM

The Abstinence episode, with appearances by Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter, was in season 8, not 6.

Steph, July 24, 2009 12:07 PM

The Abstinence episode, with appearances by Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter, was in season 8, not 6.

SirHillary, July 24, 2009 11:07 AM

Hideki Irabu -- When Steinbrenner was on the witness stand in "The Finale", Frank Constanza ripped into him for signing Irabu.

Gunaxin, July 24, 2009 11:07 AM

Ridiculously good work. Now if only they weren't such tight asses about video clips on YouTube.

Sebek, July 24, 2009 11:07 AM

For the players that both played *and* managed the Yankees, I decided to list their tenure as they were referenced in the episode. For instance, Billy Martin was referenced as being fired/hired (as a manager), by Steinbrenner...not as a 2B in the 50's.

Thekid, July 24, 2009 10:07 AM

Billy Martin... not only a player but a manager and one of the best Steinbrenner rants of all time....

Sebek, July 24, 2009 10:07 AM

Joel - these are just the baseball players. List of "other players" coming soon.

Joe, July 24, 2009 10:07 AM

what about the nazi episode with the Jordan reference between kramer and elaine?

Sebek, July 24, 2009 10:07 AM

Nice job, Joel. Adding now.

Thekid, July 24, 2009 10:07 AM

Billy Martin and Billy Martin and Billy Martin...

Joel, July 24, 2009 09:07 AM

Missed one: George tells Steinbrenner that he "figured out a way to get (Barry) Bonds and (Ken) Griffey (Jr.) without giving up tthat much" on "The Caddy" (Episode 122, Season 7.

cmutartan, July 24, 2009 08:07 AM

Joe Pepitone or not I own the inside of that plate