Mets GM Sandy Alderson makes baseball joke during jury duty selection

New York Mets fans have clamored for an upgrade at shortstop all winter long, but they can finally take solace knowing their general manager put forth his best effort.

He said so in a court of law.

Sandy Alderson and his wife, Linda, reported to jury duty earlier this month in New York, and the 67-year-old GM entertained the courtroom with this playful exchange during the selection process, according to Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal:

Question: What do you do for a living?
Alderson: I'm the general manager of the New York Mets.

Question: What does your spouse do?
Alderson: Actually, my wife's sitting right behind me.

Question: What do you do in your free time?
Alderson: Well, now I'm looking for a shortstop.

The courtroom burst into laughter. (Alderson emphasized that he meant his remark as a joke.)

At that point, Alderson didn't expect to be put on the jury. He certainly didn't expect both him and his wife to be put on the same jury. But after facing inquiries about whether he and his wife always agree on everything (they don't) and whether they could avoid discussing the case at home (they could), Sandy and Linda were both chosen and wound up serving together.

Alderson, who spent three days on the jury before joining his team in Port St. Lucie for spring training, called it an interesting experience.

"I didn't feel I was entitled to get out of it," he said. "I just happened to get put in the jury box and answered questions, and they didn't challenge me for whatever reason. I had to be matter of fact as to what I did."