.....the San Diego Chicken?
You never hear about him anymore. Never see him on Sportscenter or any other highlights.
I hope he didn't end up as some kind of value meal at a fast food place.
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The Famous Chicken / San Diego Chicken is my favorite distraction at baseball games. I checked his web page but couldn't find a schedule. The suit is on display at the front desk at the San Diego Hall of Champions. I hope he hasn't retired.
Can you imagine how many autographs this guy has signed? I remember that he would stay until everyone who wanted one was satisfied.
Can you imagine how many autographs this guy has signed? I remember that he would stay until everyone who wanted one was satisfied.
A game of Chicken still appeals to Giannoulas
August 5, 2007
BY MICHAEL OSIPOFF Post-Tribune staff writer
Part of Ted Giannoulas, aka The Famous (or San Diego) Chicken, wishes he could perform forever.
But he knows nothing is forever.
Once he did upwards of 250 dates a year. Now he's scaled back to between 40 and 50 cities.
So the Chicken was in Gary on Thursday night, after having been in Kansas City several nights earlier. After his third appearance at the Steel Yard, it was off to South Bend; then Columbus, Ohio; then Lakewood, N.J.
Shortly thereafter, Giannoulas will head back home to San Diego, not in his luxury bus, but by airplane.
His wife, Jane, an Indianapolis-area native, is undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer, diagnosed during spring training. "She's doing really good," Giannoulas said.
There was consideration given to the Chicken taking the summer off, but his schedule was already booked.
"The show must go on, and she was very supportive," Giannoulas said.
"She's my biggest fan."
And the Chicken has gained legions of fans over a 33-year career. He has never lost a game to injury or illness.
"I'm like the Cal Ripken of what I do," says Giannoulas, who grew up as a hockey goalie in London, Ontario, preparing him for donning the Chicken suit.
Giannoulas says he plans to continue for another year or two, though it seems he says that every year.
"I don't know from summer to summer," he concludes.
At 53 years old, the diminutive Giannoulas still is energetic and spry, almost frenetic, really, even if his show on Thursday night somehow seemed shorter than usual.
The Chicken made his first appearance going into the bottom of the the third inning, teasing the umpires, much to the delight of the crowd. He coached first base for the RailCats in the third, making chicken calls as signals and interacting with fans in the process. He unfurled a poster of a bikini-clad woman in an effort to distract Winnipeg's pitcher.
The Chicken employed several other of his core skits. He sprayed a can of air freshener for a "stinky" strike call from the ump, and later broke out an eye chart.
The classic was four tykes dressed up as baby chicks, parading around following the Chicken, patting the catcher on the backside and then lifting their legs on the umpire.
He also makes every effort to keep things fresh, adding routines and keeping records to minimize repeats in each city.
By the eighth inning, the Chicken's on-field act is done. He then signs every last autograph on the concourse, continuing until long after the RailCats' 6-3 loss has concluded.
"I still enjoy it," Giannoulas said. "The fun is still at the ballpark. Traveling isn't as fun.
"The biggest thrill is out there when the fans are laughing at your jokes. After the game, adults come up to me and say it's the best time they ever had at the ballpark. In my ridiculous and absurd little way, irreverent way, I can make them laugh and send them home happy. That makes it for me."
August 5, 2007
BY MICHAEL OSIPOFF Post-Tribune staff writer
Part of Ted Giannoulas, aka The Famous (or San Diego) Chicken, wishes he could perform forever.
But he knows nothing is forever.
Once he did upwards of 250 dates a year. Now he's scaled back to between 40 and 50 cities.
So the Chicken was in Gary on Thursday night, after having been in Kansas City several nights earlier. After his third appearance at the Steel Yard, it was off to South Bend; then Columbus, Ohio; then Lakewood, N.J.
Shortly thereafter, Giannoulas will head back home to San Diego, not in his luxury bus, but by airplane.
His wife, Jane, an Indianapolis-area native, is undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer, diagnosed during spring training. "She's doing really good," Giannoulas said.
There was consideration given to the Chicken taking the summer off, but his schedule was already booked.
"The show must go on, and she was very supportive," Giannoulas said.
"She's my biggest fan."
And the Chicken has gained legions of fans over a 33-year career. He has never lost a game to injury or illness.
"I'm like the Cal Ripken of what I do," says Giannoulas, who grew up as a hockey goalie in London, Ontario, preparing him for donning the Chicken suit.
Giannoulas says he plans to continue for another year or two, though it seems he says that every year.
"I don't know from summer to summer," he concludes.
At 53 years old, the diminutive Giannoulas still is energetic and spry, almost frenetic, really, even if his show on Thursday night somehow seemed shorter than usual.
The Chicken made his first appearance going into the bottom of the the third inning, teasing the umpires, much to the delight of the crowd. He coached first base for the RailCats in the third, making chicken calls as signals and interacting with fans in the process. He unfurled a poster of a bikini-clad woman in an effort to distract Winnipeg's pitcher.
The Chicken employed several other of his core skits. He sprayed a can of air freshener for a "stinky" strike call from the ump, and later broke out an eye chart.
The classic was four tykes dressed up as baby chicks, parading around following the Chicken, patting the catcher on the backside and then lifting their legs on the umpire.
He also makes every effort to keep things fresh, adding routines and keeping records to minimize repeats in each city.
By the eighth inning, the Chicken's on-field act is done. He then signs every last autograph on the concourse, continuing until long after the RailCats' 6-3 loss has concluded.
"I still enjoy it," Giannoulas said. "The fun is still at the ballpark. Traveling isn't as fun.
"The biggest thrill is out there when the fans are laughing at your jokes. After the game, adults come up to me and say it's the best time they ever had at the ballpark. In my ridiculous and absurd little way, irreverent way, I can make them laugh and send them home happy. That makes it for me."
Thanks for the link TG...I certainly hope his wife wins her battle.
Thanks very much TG. I agree with gotwood and hope she wins her battle.
I am so glad that I grew up during the baseball period where the Chicken was at his biggest. I would watch anything that he was on.
With Max "The Clown Prince" Patkin already gone and the Chicken getting older it seems a great period of baseball may be ending.
I am so glad that I grew up during the baseball period where the Chicken was at his biggest. I would watch anything that he was on.
With Max "The Clown Prince" Patkin already gone and the Chicken getting older it seems a great period of baseball may be ending.
I really never thought that I would include in my prayers the wife of a chicken, but I am. I hope she wins this battle.
Coach2709, thanks so much for bringing them to our attention.
Coach2709, thanks so much for bringing them to our attention.
During the 2006 season I happened to be in San Diego for a convention when the Chicken made his Petco Park debut. I took clients from England and Sweden to their first baseball game and we sat right next to the visitor's dugout. Just as athletes are often far more impressive live than on TV, so it is with the Chicken. My friends left with an impression of baseball far different from most. I hope his wife wins her battle as well.