Yankees to sign Billy Crystal...no, seriously

[browntown653]

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees are ready to add a touch of Hollywood to their roster, announcing their plans to sign actor and comedian Billy Crystal to a one-day contract during Spring Training.
Crystal will sign the contract on Wednesday and work out with the Yankees at Legends Field before playing in the club's game on Thursday against the Pirates in Tampa. Commissioner Bud Selig approved the Yankees' extension of a contract to Crystal.

"I've been waiting 50 years for this call," Crystal said. "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 -- by the way, which is all of them."

Crystal, who will turn 60 on March 14, will wear uniform No. 60 in the game.

"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," said Yankees COO Lonn Trost. "The Yankees are very grateful to the Commissioner's Office for allowing us to extend this special invitation to Mr. Crystal."

A lifelong Yankees fan, the star of movies, television and Broadway has been a regular presence in the Bronx over the years. In 2001, Crystal directed and produced the film 61*, which chronicled the historic seasons of Yankees greats Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle as they sought to break Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. The film garnered 12 Emmy nominations, including nods for "Best Director" and "Best Made for Television Movie" and also earned Crystal a prestigious Director's Guild nomination.

Crystal has often said in interviews that he has carried one of Mantle's baseball cards in his wallet for his entire life. Crystal has starred in movies such as Running Scared, Throw Momma from the Train, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, Mr. Saturday Night, Forget Paris, Hamlet, Deconstructing Harry, Analyze This, Monster's Inc. and America's Sweethearts.

This is the only time the words "Monster's Inc." have ever been uttered on a baseball website.

[henks]

This is the first time I have been on the Yankee forum....and now I feel the need to take a shower.

[NYgiantsfan5689]

this is probably the most ridiculous, pointless, and unnecessary thing hank steinbrenner has done to date. i'm sure he'll top it soon enough haha

[DirtyKash]

He's going to play against the Pirates? Not too bad. I'm guessing that they bean him. Give him a nice welcome to the big leagues.

Wonder what position he'll play. No way he plays the infield right? Put him in the outfield, he's probably got a better arm than Johnny Damon.

[Kingdom]

Monsters Inc. is used all the time in the giants clubhouse.

[henks]

[quote=DirtyKash;338816]

Wonder what position he'll play. quote]

if he's lucky, he'll play leftout.

[HollywoodLeo]

Could be worse

He could have signed Garth Brooks.

[ljshorty89]

Wow. Even george never went this far...

[catman]

Personally, I like this. I'm approaching 60 and would really enjoy having an opportunity like this one. It won't cost the Yankees a lot and will help their image a bit.

[realmofotalk]

Crystal, according to the Yankees hit .348 and was captain during his senior year at Long Beach High School in New York.

I find it interesting that a .348 batting average was good enough for a baseball scholarship back in the day.

[nyjunc]

Oh God I am so sick of Billy Crystal.

I am sure the 5'3 120 lb crystal was a Captain of an athletic team in HS.

[ljshorty89]

He's 60. He's the reason that they have Fantasy Camps. Uggh.

[Pronk48]

One at bat is all he will probally get.

[HollywoodLeo]

In all seriousness, though, it's nothing more than a publicity stunt.

I don't see it as something to get all uptight about.

It's not like he's signing Crystal and actually expecting him to compete for a roster spot.

[love_that_reefer]

I have a huge problem with this! I'm sorry but there are guys who are trying to make a name for themselves and trying to earn a roster spot and they aren't being used because Billy Crystal wants to play out some fantasy? Are you ****ing kidding me? I guess this fits since Girardi has already accused the Rays for playing too hard when a guy ran over his catcher. If he doesn't want to play hard, play Billy Crystal. Guys want and need playing time and do not need some ****ing comedian taking playing time this late in spring training. Let Billy call the game in the booth or anything else but don't let him take someone's spot who needs it and craves it.