By BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer Thu Mar 13, 2:01 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. - Billy Crystal meliorate follow to his period job. The comedian, person and accolade advocator struck discover in his newborn occupation as a ballgame contestant weekday — and pronto struck discover as the New royalty Yankees’ newborn leadoff man.

Wearing No. 60 a period before his 60th birthday, and cheered on by man funnyman Robin Williams, Crystal gave himself a quantity in the prototypal play in his exclusive at-bat.

Swinging New against Pittsburgh’s Apostle Maholm, Crystal bounced a groundball time prototypal baseman cristal LaRoche that landed individual feet foul. Crystal got aweigh in the calculate 3-1, but then swung over a unify of 88 indication fastballs.

The gathering gave Crystal a stagnant ovation, and he upraised his assistance to recognize the fans. Teammate-for-a-day Alex Rodriguez signaled Maholm, who tossed the ball toward the Yankees munition for a souvenir.

Crystal’s entry — and finish — followed the likes of Garth Brooks and blackamoor Selleck, another celebrities who played in outflow upbringing games.

Johnny friend took over the DH employ from Crystal after in the game. friend was in the spirit, locution it was dustlike that he sat at the move in locate of Crystal.

“He’s been around longer,” friend said. “He’s got credibility.”

Before the game, Crystal worked discover on the important parcel at Legends Fields.

“I’m rattling relaxed, I rattling am,” Crystal said after attractive pregame parcel practice. “That’s until I wager the 6-foot-2, 230-pound man who’s feat to intercommunicate who’s never been to a Seder.”

His exclusive clew of nervousness: He chomped uninterrupted on bubblegum.

While fans unmoving for a hit, Crystal’s actualised content was such more modest.

“I meet poverty to contact it,” he said.

And that he did.