Baseball has become a big joke.

[txteach]

First steroids now Billy Crystal gets to play for a day? I wonder if he was Billy Smith how far would he get with his "dream". What a joke. I guess money talks.

Now batting for the Yankees ... Billy Crystal? - Baseball - MSNBC.com

[Adam West]

I hope the Pirates show him no mercy. Give him a taste of a 95+ mile an hour fastball and belt a lot of balls at him during the game.

It would be one thing to have him go out and practice with the team but if he's actually going to play in an exhibition game and I were a professional player, I wouldn't stop playing my hardest just to keep him from embarassing himself.

[Sideshow Spock]

It's all in good spring training fun. Crystal has been a member of the Yankees family for many years now, and as the article says, this is just a fun way for the organization to say thanks. Celebs like Garth Brooks and Tom Selleck have done it for other teams in the past. Not something to get upset about, or be equated with steroids.

[toys2cool]

I agree,I don't think it's a big deal.I would'nt be surprised to see Matt Damon or Ben Affleck doing it for Boston one day

[kisscash]

It's all in good spring training fun. Crystal has been a member of the Yankees family for many years now, and as the article says, this is just a fun way for the organization to say thanks. Celebs like Garth Brooks and Tom Selleck have done it for other teams in the past. Not something to get upset about, or be equated with steroids.

well said Spock ...

if the post was about Boston or St Louis no one would say a thing. Now when the talk is about the Yankees it is BS or negative ... kills me.

To each his own I guess


Ca$h

[txteach]

Hey Cash I would have said that about ANY team. I have supported a few teams in my day do you think I could "have some good natured fun" and play on the teams I support? It's all about money and celebrity to these teams (all of them, not just the Yanks or Sox) and if you have it you get to be a major leaguer for a day.

[theantiquetiger]

You also got to remember, Crystal is also a part owner of the Diamondbacks and played college baseball, so he is more than just a devoted fan. I guess MLB is trying to push the steroid thing away anyway the can.

[txteach]

The diamondbacks, not the yankees.

[theantiquetiger]

The diamondbacks, not the yankees.

But he is a life-time fan of the Yankees, no matter what team he is part owner of. I am just saying if anyone deserves a thrill of a life time, he does more than anyone else.

How do you think actors feel when athletes are given major roles in movies and TV's, and they do not have a single minute of acting experience or training? It is the same thing, atleast this is just an exhibition game.

Hey Cash I would have said that about ANY team. I have supported a few teams in my day do you think I could "have some good natured fun" and play on the teams I support?

You can, they do have baseball camps in FLA for grown men, play along with some major leaguers.

[txteach]

Chris, I really don't care what either thinks when they turn their professions into jokes. I am certified to teach so does that mean if a community member supports us all of their life they should get the honor (YES! honor) of teaching for a day without all of the training?

[theantiquetiger]

You are comparing apples to oranges.

I don't care about him playing or not (I guess I would actually say "Good For Him"). What I do not like is it being a "major" news story, splashed across every major newspaper and national news.

I bet this happens more than we know during the exhibition season, but since it is Billy Crystal, it is news.

[Sideshow Spock]

My area newspaper (located in upstate NY) had the "story" buried at the bottom of page 2 of the sports section. The entire story was about the size of a credit card. Not exactly DEWEY BEATS TRUMAN

[Adam West]

I guess the only issue I really have with it is there are really good baseball players out there playing in the minor leagues who want an opportunity to play in the majors and at least have the opportunity to play.

It would be one thing if the exhibition games were played at half speed and are just laid back practice sessions but these games are played full force and there are some really good players out there trying to make the team and make a living for themselves. I would be absolutely livid if I were playing Minor League "A" baseball and instead of giving me a chance to show that I can play in the majors, they allow Billy Crystal to come play in my place. To me it undermines the profession.

Again, it would be different if this was a fun practice type event but the exhibition games are like pre-season football games.

[Hector]

I haven't followed baseball in years, so if Crystal wants to get killed by a fastball, so be it.

[toys2cool]

I guess the only issue I really have with it is there are really good baseball players out there playing in the minor leagues who want an opportunity to play in the majors and at least have the opportunity to play.

It would be one thing if the exhibition games were played at half speed and are just laid back practice sessions but these games are played full force and there are some really good players out there trying to make the team and make a living for themselves. I would be absolutely livid if I were playing Minor League "A" baseball and instead of giving me a chance to show that I can play in the majors, they allow Billy Crystal to come play in my place. To me it undermines the profession.

Again, it would be different if this was a fun practice type event but the exhibition games are like pre-season football games.

That's true,but in the end what's going to bring in more fans...Billy or some no-name young kid? It's all about the Benjamin's guys