It's one, two, three strikes and Billy Crystal is out of the old ballgame.
The funnyman got a standing ovation from the crowd, which included pal Robin Williams, and his temporary teammates in his baseball debut Thursday.
Crystal, in full Bronx Bomber regalia and wearing the number 60 in honor of his birthday tomorrow, was listed on the lineup card as DH—or as Crystal preferred to call it: "Designated Hebrew."
He led off for the New York Yankees during an exhibition game ni Tampa against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Crystal waved to the crowd and then stepped up to the plate to against leftie hurler Paul Maholm.
First pitch: High and outside. Ball one.
Second pitch: Crystal swings and hits a bouncer foul along the first base line.
Two more balls, one inside, one high—works the count to 3-1.
Maholm then fired two fastballs past Crystal's flailing bat for the strikeout.
Crystal doffed his hat to the cheering crowd on his way back to the dugout. He was greeted and embraced by such Yankee stars as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Maholm tossed the ball back as a souvenir.
And that so ended his baseball career.
During workouts Wednesday, Crystal said that the idea for his birthday-celebrating publicity stunt came from a chance meeting with Jeter while the two were vacationing separately in Costa Rica over New Year's. Crystal said he was fretting his upcoming 60th, and Jeter suggested playing for the Yankees, Crystal's favorite team, might cheer him up.
The Yankees sparked to the idea and Crystal began training with former player Reggie Smith, who served as a consultant on the Crystal-directed TV movie 61*, before joining the full team this week in Florida.
Crystal isn't the first Hollywood star to scrimmage with big leaguers. Garth Brooks, Tom Selleck, and Kevin Costner are among the celebs to have suited up for preseason games.