Billy Crystal to Follow in Garth Brooks’ Footsteps
March 11, 2008 by Albert Bianchi
Filed under Sports Rumors
And not just by being irrelevant. (Hiyo!) Billy Crystal will play with the Yankees in their spring training game against the Pirates.
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.”
Ok, that really wasn’t that funny, but still, I like Billy Crystal. City Slickers is an underrated comedy, and he was pretty good at the Oscars. Joe Girardi hasn’t yet decided what position Crystal will field, but if they lined him up at short stop, it would be a defensive improvement.
Good going Billy! Yes, we know you are a die hard fan and extreme baseball enthusiast! Use to love to see you on Johnny when you would do your bit about baseball as you would mouth and mimic in great comedic style a baseball game as a referee…”Take Me Out to the Ball Game…funny stuff nut boy! You nut boy you! You are my favorite comedian, actor, writer, and so on, but you have been the best at being a Father with your lovely and sensible Wife. I’m just an old fan. Saw you in L.A. at a Mexican restaurant in the late 70’s. I was pregnant and your wife was also with your second child. Left a note with our waiter to give to you on how you were my favorite comedian, “You nut boy you!”…from an often used sentenced by meathead (Rob Reiner) in the classic “All In the Family” sitcom. I drew a funny face on the note and as I saw you read the note, you were pleased and passed the note to all of your friends, and family at the table. I was too embsarrassed, to stay much longer, and was told by husband and dinner friends when they payed the bill that you looked around to find out who sent the note. Glad that I could please you with my honest praise and so very pleased to have witnessed your talent since then! God bless you dear jzzy mahsugahna. (?) not good spelling Yiddish! Best Always!
That’s one hell of a birthday gift! I think all of us wish we could play a game with their life-long favorite team. Good for you Billy! Have fun!
True, this is the best fantasy camp ever.
What an experience and something Billy will remember ..he’s hoping that I’m still able to follow my dreams at his age!