Larry Bird is suing a couple who bought his former home in southern Indiana, claiming improper use of his name to promote their bed-and-breakfast.
The lawsuit claims Georgianna Lincoln and Christopher Cooke did not have permission to use the NBA Hall of Famer's name with the property and are profiting off his trademark by stating the home belonged to him.
Cooke, an attorney, says negotiations on the home's sale included verbal permission to use Bird's name in association with the home.
“That's what it is. Everybody in French Lick calls it Larry Bird's home,” Cooke said. “All I know is they told us certain things when we were considering purchasing the property, and after we bought it they had a different story.
“ ... They told me we could make truthful statements about Larry's past. Larry even called me and wished us well and thought we would do well.”
The Web site for the 12-acre resort called the “Legend of French Lick” advertises the property as “the former home of Larry Bird” and invites visitors to play hoops on the court where Bird “spent hours practicing and perfecting his shot when at home in French Lick.”
Bird trademarked his name and likeness to control their use in promotions and in connection with items such as T-shirts.
TRIVIA TIME
On today's date in 1972, in his first game as a New York Met, he homered against his former team, the San Francisco Giants. Name him.
GENIUS DOWN ON THE FARM
Can any of the people in Lake Elsinore's front office play center field, too?
You may recall that earlier this month, the LE Storm – a Padres Single-A affiliate – had to cancel its “Dr. Seuss Night” promotion because of a cease-and-desist order from Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
What to do with all those leftover red-and-white socks?
Make 'em part of the “Pirate Night” promotion tonight, of course, MILB.com reports.
HARDBALL STAT OF THE WEEK
Asdrubal Cabrera's unassisted triple play Monday was only the 14th in major league history – but the second one fellow Indians infielder Jamey Carroll has seen in person in 13 months.
Carroll was with the Rockies in April 2007 when teammate Troy Tulowitzki pulled off the 13th one, against the Braves.
“That one was a little more like mass chaos,” Carroll said yesterday. “Troy caught a line drive and didn't exactly know which guy to go after. So he ran around tagging everybody.”
Indians legend Bob Feller, 89, saw the one Monday and said he hadn't seen the feat since Little League.
His take:
“It was a great play, but unassisted triple plays are two things: luck and dumb baserunning.”
TRIVIA ANSWER
Willie Mays.
– COMPILED BY BILL SUDA FROM NEWS SERVICES, ONLINE REPORTS
