Comedian Billy Crystal to play in exhibition game for Yanks...Are you kidding me!
Billy Crystal will get to "look mahvelous" in pinstripes.
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.
"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."
--Billy Crystal, in a statement released by the
Yankees
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.