Billy Crystal to play exhibition game for Yankees

[Wassit3]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Billy Crystal will get to "look mahvelous" in pinstripes.
Billy Crystal's dream will finally come true. (Greg Trott / Getty Images)

The actor will sign a one-day, minor league contract with the New York Yankees and play in Thursday's exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Crystal, an avid Yankees fan, will work out with the team on Wednesday and will wear uniform No. 60 for the game - to be played one day before his 60th birthday. The Yankees said Monday they have the approval of baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

"I've been waiting 50 years for this call," Crystal said in a statement released by the team. "I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of the Yankees and commissioner Selig. I know this'll be tougher than the Broadway Softball League, but I'm looking forward to helping the younger players, which by the way is all of them. Oops, I have to go, Scott Boras is on the phone."

Crystal, according to the Yankees hit .348 and was captain during his senior year at Long Beach High School in New York. He directed and produced "61*," a move about Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and the 1961 Yankees.

"The Yankees are excited to welcome the newest member of our team known for his humor and wit as well as his undying love for the Yankees," chief operating officer Lonn Trost said.

Country singer Garth Brooks has played in spring training games, helping raise money for his Touch 'em All Foundation. He was 1-for-22 (.045) in 1999 with the San Diego Padres, 0-for-17 the following year with the New York Mets and 1-for-8 (.125) in 2004 with the Kansas City Royals.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7...me-for-Yankees

[Wassit3]

looks like the yankees continue their history f signing aging stars...

[beerchaser]

He's probably shooting his butt full of 'roids right now.

[Wassit3]

He's probably shooting his butt full of 'roids right now.

lmao

[Alloutwar]

If Crystal can last for 5 innings, he will successfully pass Carl Pavano's total in a Yankees uniform.

[Kotoll]

If Crystal can last for 5 innings, he will successfully pass Carl Pavano's total in a Yankees uniform.

HAHA

[JayC]

Worst. Idea. Ever.

Billy Crystal should stick to doing what he does best: completely unfunny self-referential "comedy."

[Wassit3]

If Crystal can last for 5 innings, he will successfully pass Carl Pavano's total in a Yankees uniform.

who knows maybe he is the number 5 pitcher they have needed for so long lol

[Alloutwar]

Billy Crystal is significantly cheaper than Clemens, and can probably duplicate his 2007 results without the added press coverage and 'steroids' notoriety. He will also make more appearances than Pavano, and offset the digusting Mack Truck that was once a Giambi. I could see his wit taking the focus off the A-Rod/Jeter love/ego triangle.

I think this could be the best (and cheapest) signing the Yankees have had in years. And after the season, I am seeing a Crystal/Damon two man show on Broadway.

[Wassit3]

Billy Crystal is significantly cheaper than Clemens, and can probably duplicate his 2007 results without the added press coverage and 'steroids' notoriety. He will also make more appearances than Pavano, and offset the digusting Mack Truck that was once a Giambi. I could see his wit taking the focus off the A-Rod/Jeter love/ego triangle.

I think this could be the best (and cheapest) signing the Yankees have had in years. And after the season, I am seeing a Crystal/Damon two man show on Broadway.

he can certainly reporduce Pavanos 2007 output at least if not clemans lol

[JayC]

Uh... he's not a pitcher. I mean, OK, he's not even a baseball player of any kind, but he won't be pitching for the Yankees. The picture on the linked article is probably of him throwing out a first pitch.

And that's fine; that's what he should be doing. Or, the next Yankee fantasy camp is in November, and that's a perfectly appropriate place for aging fans to get a chance to put on the uniform and play with the pros. But spring training or not, this is the real thing... and every at-bat or defensive inning that is thrown away to pander to a celebrity is one that is taken from a prospect or even a vet who could use the work in March.

I guess it's just more evidence that The Boss is no longer the boss. George wanted to win every game at any cost, no matter what time of year it was.

And anyway, what claim does Crystal have to being some kind of Yankee superfan? This is the guy who wore a Mets cap in City Slickers... which also had this publicity poster:

I conclude that he's as much a Yankee fan as Rudy "I'm pulling for the Red Sox" Guilliani and Hillary "I grew up a Cubs fan, I mean a Yankee fan, I mean a Cubs fan" Clinton. They claim to be Yankee fans because they think it's politically helpful; Crystal because it's box office helpful. And, of course, because it's fun to hang out in the clubhouse.

In other breaking sports news, Jack Nicholson has been signed by the Lakers.

I'd also make a joke about Spike Lee being needed at point guard for the Knicks, except that wouldn't really be a joke.

[ohms_law]

lol

Right on JayC

[CatKnight]

I just wanna know if Billy Crystal will be in BM!

(And if, since the draft automatically includes players when they turn 18ish, that means he can be drafted in what...1966?)

[RickD]

Crystal and the Yanks are a great combination. Glad he could fulfill his dream! Now maybe they cal let fans who don't make a gazillion dollars do the same thing!

[CatKnight]

Letting fans fulfill their dreams?

What a great idea! When are the Yankees disbanding? I wanna be there!