A Comedian Lives a Dream

It was reported that today's spring training game between the Yankees and Pirates would include an appearance from Billy Crystal. The actor/comedian would be at the game, not as a spectator, but as a player. Yeah, that's right. Long-time Yanks fan Crystal would get to live out his dream and play as a Yankee.

The idea started between Crystal and Derek Jeter a few months ago on a beach in Costa Rica when they joked about Crystal signing a one day contract to play a spring training game. Jeter made things happen for Crystal when he suggested the idea to the Yankees and they figured that it could be fun.

Yesterday, Crystal took batting and fielding practice with the team. He connected with the ball in every one of his 47 swings during batting practice. The team said they would list Crystal in the starting lineup on Thursday afternoon as the designated hitter. Crystal got up to the plate at today's 1:15 game and received a standing ovation. Crystal fouled off a 1-0 pitch from pitcher Paul Maholm and was applauded for that. He later struck out and came out of the game. Even though Crystal struck out in his only big league at-bat, he made it a fun game. He joked in the dugout with all the players and they had a good time. Crystal has been known as a Yankee fan all his life, especially when he directed one of my favorite movies, 61*. 61* is about the 1961 season when Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's home run record.