BILLY CRYSTAL - BILLY CRYSTAL STRIKES OUT

LATEST: Comedian BILLY CRYSTAL's debut as a baseball professional ended in failure on Thursday (13Mar08) - he was struck out without hitting the ball. The actor and lifelong fan of the New York Yankees was signed up by the team to play in a pre-season exhibition match against the Pittsburgh Pirates - an event to also mark his 60th birthday on Friday (14Mar08). Crystal trained with the team in Tampa, Florida, and turned out to hit wearing a shirt with the number 60 on the back. But the City Slickers star was left swiping at thin air and struck out. Crystal, who was cheered on in the stands by pal Robin Williams, said ahead of the game, "I've been waiting 50 years for this call. I'm overwhelmed by the generosity of the Yankees and commissioner Bud Selig. I know this'll be tougher than the Broadway Softball League, but I'm looking forward to helping the younger players, which by the way is all of them."