Now Batting Leadoff for the Yankees: Billy Crystal

 
As a present for his 60th birthday tomorrow, longtime actor and funnyman Billy Crystal was put into the starting lineup of the New York Yankees on Thursday.  Wearing No. 60, Crystal faced the Pirates Paul Maholm as a DH batting in the leadoff position. How did he fare? Well, let's just say don't give up your day job, Billy. He actually put one ball in play, a weak chopper that went foul past first base.  But after running the count to 3-1, he swung and missed at the next two fastballs and he was history, a strikeout victim. This isn't the first time a celebrity has played in a spring training game.  Garth Brooks and Tom Selleck have both taken their turns in the past as well. In order to play in a real spring training game, the Yankees had to sign Crystal to a minor league contract before the game.  Terms were not disclosed. Despite the presence of the star Hollywood "slugger", Johnny Damon, who took over as DH for Crystal, was not overly concerned about ... [link]

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Video: Billy Crystal's At-Bat For The Yankees

He looks Marvelous!!!!! It is better to look good than to hit the ball. Billy is the man. I am very happy for him!!!!
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SEE IT: Billy Crystal's At-Bat with the New York Yankees

Billy Crystal officially made history today, as he was placed in the lead-off position of the Spring Training game between the Yankees and Pirates at Legends Field in Florida. Crystal struck out, but not before taking Pirates starter Paul Maholm, to 3-1. Crystal, at age 59, wore the number 60 signifying his age when he has his birthday on Friday. Despite his age, Crystal look professional ...
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Mighty Billy Crystal strikes out

Email Print Mighty Billy Crystal strikes out Thursday, March 13, 2008 By Paul Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette TAMPA -- Actor Billy Crystal struck out swinging against Pirate left-hander Paul Maholm today in what was planned to be his only at-bat. ...
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Pirates-Yankees: The Live Blog

Welcome to Legends Field. It’s 70 degrees and sunny and the Yankees just had a bunch of old men dressed as pirates sing the National Anthem. I’m totally not making that up. It’ll be Mike Mussina against Paul Maholm.
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60-year-old Billy Crystal bats leadoff for the Yankees

Let's just say that he won't be batting leadoff again (or anywhere else in the lineup) any time soon. On second thought, he might be an improvement over Juan Uribe at second base for my White Sox. Big ups to the ever-vigilant Awful Announcing.
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