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1-Day Contracts In Yankee History: Abe Vigoda

Billy Crystal's 1-day contract offers the perfect opportunity to remember other 1-day contracts in Yankee history.

In 1994, Abe Vigoda celebrated his 73rd birthday by signing a 1-day deal with the Yanks.

He played shortstop in a split-squad spring training game against the Twins -- going 3-4 with 2 doubles and a stolen base.

Vigoda also excelled with the glove.

After chasing down a slow-rolling bouncer in the left field grass far behind third base, he famously threw out Dave Winfield from his knees in a play that left Scooter saying "Wait! I think he got him -- Mattingly's stretch! Yes, he got him! HOLY COW!"

Unlike Crystal, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig did not support Vigoda's signing -- calling it "a regrettable decision."

When asked why he did not support the Vigoda signing, Selig said "if anyone from 'Barney Miller' gets to be a Yankee -- and that's show I love, by the way -- it should have been 'Wojo.' I loved that guy."

Despite calls for the team to sign him to a long-term deal, Vigoda's Yankee career started and ended in that one-game tilt against the Twins.

Who knows what Vigoda might have done had he been given a real shot at the bigs?

(Ed. note: Mike Gallego batted .239 in 89 games at short, and journeyman infielder Kevin Elster hit .000 in 20 ABs in that strike-shortened season.)