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Dressing as elf can be dangerous for player’s tenure with New York Mets

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FILE - In this June 12, 2009, file photo, New York Mets center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis (9) dives to try and catch a ball hit by Baltimore Orioles\' Adam Jones (10) during the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game Tuesday, June 19, 2012, in New York. Eight days after wearing a green elf suit and hat to entertain kids alongside pitcher Steven Matz\'s Santa Claus in Citi Field\'s Acela Club, Nieuwenhuis was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Serving as an elf at the New York Mets’ holiday party can be dangerous to one’s tenure with the team.

Eight days after wearing a green elf suit and hat to entertain kids alongside pitcher Steven Matz’s Santa Claus in Citi Field’s Acela Club, outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was claimed off waivers by Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Three years ago, pitcher R.A. Dickey played the role of the elf. Six days later, the NL Cy Young Award winner was traded to Toronto.

Pitcher Kris Benson dressed as Santa for the 2005 party at Shea Stadium, and then-wife Anna Benson drew attention by wearing a low-cut Santa costume. Six weeks later, the pitcher was traded to Baltimore.

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