Baseball has become a big joke.

[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.

[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.

[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]

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

[txteach]

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

[theantiquetiger]

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

[Mikey]

Billy Crystal and many others at the Muhammad Ali roast

YouTube - Muhammad Ali Roast

Funny stuff

[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

[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

[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]

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.

[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.

[BlackKnight]

Brock Lesner tried out for the Vikings a few yrs back,.. when he quit the WWE,.. but couldn't make the Roster. Hell,.. Kurt Warner was a Stock Clerk,.. look what he did. I'd say go for it Coach !

.. I don't watch, & have no interest in Baseball. I just think every great Player is on Steriods,.. inwhich the owners & MLB themselves provided connections, to gain interest in a Dying Sport , succeeded to a degree, & now the players are battling convictions alone , & a new one pops up these days it seems every month,. Just my opionion on the matter.

So let Billy Play Ball.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Sad thing is, if he was doing this for the Orioles, he'd probably wind up being an opening day starter

[toys2cool]

Didn't they let some really old dude like in his 70's play one game in the minors like 2 months ago?

I know I heard that on ESPN