If you follow Major League Baseball then you've probably at one time or another dreamt of being able to don the uniform of your favorite big league ball club and step out onto a baseball diamond with all of the heroes of your youth, if only for a day. Its a very rare person that actually gets to live out that dream.
Here is Billy Crystal, who for one day in his 60 years as a rabid fan, got to suit up with his New York Yankees and take an official spring training at bat in a game between the Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here is his at bat in which he actually hits a screaming... foul ball! Hit that ball Billy!
After the game a sports media crew filmed Billy talking with the Pirates pitcher he stood in against. Billy asked him if he was afraid he would get a hit when he stepped into the batters box. The young pitcher didn't hesitate as he stated, "No, I was afraid I wouldn't get you out!"
By the way, have a safe and Happy St. Paddy's Day and don't drink too many green beers!
He looked pretty good up there, didn't he? It gives hope to all of us over-ther-hill old farts everywhere. Of course, he is only a couple of weeks older than Julio Franco, but still....
Well, Billy "lived" his dream. More power to a nice guy. Saw the clip, count of 3 and 1, then struck out. Sheet, would have liked him to at least get a hit, ah well... Fuzz
There was a time when I was a pretty fair baseball player. Second base and mid line-up hitter. Like I say, there was a time... Crystal is a couple of years older than me and he looked damned good! I wonder if he worked out for that. I know I would have to!
Now that would have really been something if he had gotten a hit Fuzz!
I would've loved to see him out on the base paths, now that might have been good!
I've been reviewing the video series on baseball that appeared a few years ago on PBS. Last night was the segment on the 50's. Here was Billy Crystal and others talking about their first MLB games they attended and the awe they felt.
Did you ever go to Forbes Field?
My first game was actually in a football stadium, the LA Coliseum to see the new Los Angeles Angels play the NY Yankees... That's another story...
Dwindy, greetings from a fellow second baseman! I was a more typical middle infielder type with a decent glove and no power whatsoever. Pretty good speed but I had to hit either one or two or I was down at the bottom of the lineup.....
I actually played in an over-30 league for five or six years but even had to give that up ten years ago - getting old isn't half as much fun as I thought it would be....
Someone said war is hell... Growing old is the same! I got hurt last year and multiple surgeries on my legs... I've been slowly getting back on my feet but man, I'm out of shape... If only I could just walk without pain... It'll come, but it is slow.
I played fast pitch softball for a few years, but finally had to give that up as my businesses grew and time became an issue...
Here's hoping the weather lightens up for you now and you can enjoy the great outdoors!
Wow, sorry to hear about your leg problems but work at it slow and steady and hopefully you'll be dancing again in no time....
I'll second your motion about the weather, I still have a foot of snow in my front yard, but it will start melting quickly now if we can ever get a little sunshine going....
Hey Dwindy, I didn't know you were in the beer business.
I played at Fenway Park in the sixties for the Hearst Sand Lot all-stars. I got to bat once and played in the field for 2 innings. I played organized baseball until I was 44 years old but the one game I remember above all the others was that game at Fenway.
Dwindy! Never been to Forbes Field itself, sorry to say. Nor Three Rivers or the newer ones. Been by them many, many times though. Was at Pitt's old stadium though couple times.
Did get to see where home plate was and other parts of the field (Forbes) at the Forbes Quadangle of Pitt while at school. Bldg's build on the old field are paid tribute to the field with plagues, etc. The old home plate is indicated in a huge "common" area with huge bronze plate in the floor, very nice! Fuzz
That sounds great! I guess it was enough for me to set in the stands. I went to a fan preseason day at Safeco Field in Seattle. It is a whole different perspective down on the field. My gosh, to know you got to play on the same field with all those Red Sox greats! I'm jealous... I grew up a Giant fan and the first game I attended at Candlestick Park was a night game and the fog rolled in with a stiff breeze off the bay it was terrible. I always wonder what Willie Mays' number would have been if he'd have played his career in Fenway or Wrigley... Oh well...
I can understand not wanting to see the poor Pirates these days... Does McClatcey (sp) still own the Pirates or has he now sold them? I thought when he bought the team several years ago he might move them to California since he owns a chain of newspapers there, but I guess he did the right thing... Never heard if he sold them or not.
Sounds like downtown Pittsburgh is pretty nice, maybe someday I'll get through there.
McClatchy bowed out or was forced out last year or year before. The Nutting family of WVa majority owners now. Own string of newspapers in WVa, maybe elsewhere. They are really tight with a dollar, even worse tan the Roonys (only it works for the Rooneys). I think Pgh is a gorgeous City, but like all, it has its BAD areas. But you should see it and take a tour of the whole. I remember how bad the North Side looked before they built Three Rivers and then the new ones. Tenements and slums abounded, all gone, mostly. South Side, where the mills were absolutely all that; but I am BIASED! Fuzz
Dwindy1
Does that mean we'll see both Costner and Redford suiting up for any of baseball's other franchises in the future ? Afterall they've portrayed players rather successfully on the big screen. No word as of yet though if Hank Steinbrenner'll offer both contracts.
Al, You're back!!! I'm curious how you regained your former self?
I'm not sure about Redford, but I think Costner has at least practiced with the big leaguers. I can't recall anyone else actually signing a one day contract and getting into a game, albeit a spring training game, like Billy was able to do...
I remember George Plimpton attending a Detroit Lions NFL training camp when they made the movie "Paper Lion" several years ago. Now that would turn into a real bruising experience I'm sure and if I recall correctly George got laid out a couple of times... Seems like Alex Karros had something to do with that! lol
Thanks for the visit Al and let me know what the deal was with Big Brother...
Dwindy1
I think it came down to me using a few sexual descriptions within a post. Bearing in mind that we've discussed homosexuality and overt racism within this forum. They got bent out of shape because I stated a sexual act that both sexes find utterly satisfying when it's being done properly. As for my lastest piece it's up and within this forum under this guise. It's titled My Talent Maybe Marginal But At Least The Fans Love Me ! I'll look forward to reading your comments.
Dwindy1
Both Redford and Costner are very good athletes in their own way. But I for one wouldn't want to see either enter into the professional ranks of sports.
It's a 'pipedream' to say the least.
I'm a sports fanatic living on the west coast of Florida. I'm a rare bird that moved here from the left coast a couple of years ago. I advocate an even playing field in all of life's endeavors.
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