Courtesy: NY Daily News
Comedian Will Ferrell on March 12th spent the day playing 9 positions on 10 teams. On this memorable day the 47 year old actor paid tribute to the only other man in MLB history to do the same thing. Bert Campaneris, also known as “Campy”, performed the same feat fifty years ago. Some might think that the comedian did this for fun, which he did, but it was for a charity. His goal was to raise a million dollars to be used for college scholarships for cancer survivors.
The Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres were the 10 teams that took part in this epic journey for the actor. Here is to chronicle his day as a Major Leaguer:
He brushed the media aside and played shortstop for the A’s.
In the same game he was traded to the Seattle Mariners and played some at second base.
He traveled to the Cubs-Angels game and relieved All-Star outfielder Mike Trout in center. Here he took a line drive hit and kept Wellington Castillo to only a single.
After an inning of play he was traded to the Cubs for a washing machine. After joining his new team he played some a third base and first base.
Then he moved on to the Reds and his only action was on the bench. He joined his new club in fine fashion with his big grey beard.
Next he played DH for the White Sox. He struck out and was promptly traded to the Giants.
With the World Series champs he got to play behind the plate and learn from All-Star catcher Buster Posey.
After his last move he was finally at the last game he was going to attend. He started by taking the pitching mound for the Dodgers. His only batter bounce out to himself and he threw the ball to first base. Rico Noel later said that he was a little scared when Will Ferrell was about to throw his first pitch.
Lastly after 8 and ½ hours he played his last as a right fielder for the Padres.
In all of his travels this day Will Ferrell wore the number 19 for each ball club. It was only when he joined the San Diego Padres that he changed his number to 20. He did this because he did not want to wear the late Tony Gwynn’s number. All-in-all he had a fun day playing for each of the clubs and he had many memorable moments.
Although this is not the only time that Will Ferrell has entered the world of the MLB. In 2010 he disguised himself with a fake mustache and the name of “Rojo Johnson” and pitched for the Triple-A Round Rock Express (a minor league team for the Texas Rangers). And in 2012 he and fellow actor Zach Galifianakis invaded a Chicago Cubs game and threw out the first pitch, while also misreading the starting lineup cards for each team.
Will Ferrell has a history of being a colorful character and in a few cases bringing that to the MLB. On March 12 he did it for a charity and has now a lot more people thinking about cancer survivors and helping them with their dreams of going to college.
