Baseball has become a big joke.

[EMCE Hammer]

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.



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

If we didn't have athletes in movies every so often, we'd miss golden moments like Brett Favre in Something About Mary. I haven't seen that much wood on a Viagra farm.

[txteach]

I actually can play linebacker (at the college level many years ago) so that theory that I can't do it is out. How long at 40 I'd last is another story. It's good to see when everyone complains about our school system that non-educated people can teach school, especially celebrities. I forgot that they can do anything, they have the money. As far as baseball goes a 59 year old actor playing "real" pro baseball is a joke. I guess we are lucky a comedian is doing it and not the common man. God forbid one of us peeons gets to live a dream. Only money and status could accomplish that.

[jacsfc]

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?

yes, an actor can be a teacher for a day have you seen the robert wuhl special on hbo where he teaches history class. also crystal can actually play baseball, so if you actually could play linebacker and had the finacial backing to donate yes, i bet the vikings would put you in for a day at a spring training scrimmage. its really not a big deal. its not like he is taking a roster spot of a minor league player like jodan did. harmless spring training fun.

[txteach]

Never any harm Cash, all in fun brother. I take nothing here personally. I'll be waiting for the Vikings to give me a call though

[kisscash]

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.

It just seems that tons of trash is thrown at proven winners all the time. Love them or hate them, some franchises win over and over. And when they do they are easy targets. The Yanks, the Habs, the Lakers etc. fall into that IMO. If the story invloves an iconic team that story often gets a twist to it. Heck even as you read that story it somehow became baseball is a joke. Yet some teams have already had this type of fun with celebs.

Your do have a good point: you and I won't ever play for our team.

... no harm meant.

Ca$h

[Mikey]

Billy Crystal and many others at the Muhammad Ali roast

YouTube - Muhammad Ali Roast

Funny stuff

[theantiquetiger]

I just realized, Crystal wore a Mets hat through out "City Slickers." I wonder if this was costumer designer's choice.

[txteach]

I have been a Viking fan since I was 5. You think they will let me play linebacker??

[Sideshow Spock]

Other than Crystal likely pulling his groin like a mofo, none.

[Mikey]

Crystal's a big baseball nut and he especially loves the Yankee's......

I say, let him play a game if he wants

What harm is it actually going to do ?

[Sideshow Spock]

All the Yankee spring-training games have all been sold-out for awhile, so it's not to drum up business. Business is good.

Crystal will likely take an at-bat or two, and they'll stick him in right field for an inning or whatever. And I guarantee the pitcher won't be throwing heat. He's 60 years old for Christ's sake.. that's older than many of the guys that play in the slow-speed Old Timer's Day.

Like I said, it's just something fun the Yankees want to do for him. He's not just any celeb, he's been a part of the Yankees family for a very long time. Mickey Mantle counted him among his best friends, as do other Yankee legends like Yogi and Torre, and he's raised millions of dollars in charity working alongside the Yankees (and Mets too oftentimes) over the years.

[Hulk]

I couldn't care less, and its probably a smart move by MLB and the Yankees who were both hurt by the latest "scandal" (which again I couldn't care less about). From a fan perspective, this is probably something I would prefer to be left for an Old Timer's Day game, but if they want to let him play in a meaningless exhibition / spring training day game, then 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

[Hector]

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

[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.