« Schilling placed on disabled list | Main | Red Sox release Mirabelli »

March 13, 2008

Gimmick of the day: Crystal leads off Yankees lineup

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - No joke: Billy Crystal is leading off for the New York Yankees.

The comedian was put in the top spot for Thursday's exhibition game, listed as the designated hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Wearing No. 60, Crystal got his chance a day before his 60th birthday. A lifelong Yankees fan, the righty was set to face Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm.

Derek Jeter followed Crystal in the lineup, with Alex Rodriguez, Bobby Abreu and Robinson Cano among the other regulars also playing.

Johnny Damon was scheduled to take over the DH job from Crystal later in the game. Damon was in the spirit, saying it was fine that he sat at the start in place of Crystal.

"He's been around longer," Damon said. "He's got credibility."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:43 AM | Permalink

Comments

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)