"Hey everyone, come see how good I look!"
Comedic legend and Southern California native Will Ferrell took the mound, the infield and the outfield on Thursday. In an HBO special from "Funny or Die" and in partnership with Major League Baseball, Ferrell pulled a Bert Campaneris for charity by playing every position, including designated hitter, for 10 Cactus league teams in five spring training games.
The HBO special is dedicated as a charitable effort in the ongoing fight against cancer. If anyone was going to pull off such an historic feat, it could only be the Anchorman himself.
"I don't know how to put this," he said, "but I'm kind of a big deal."
All five California teams were in on the action: starting with the Oakland Athletics playing against the Seattle Mariners, followed by the Los Angeles Angels going against the Chicago Cubs and finally the Dodgers tangling with the San Diego Padres as the nightcap. The positions were a surprise prior to the appearances, leaving food for thought to each of the players involved.
"If he hits, I feel sorry for him," Angels pitcher Huston Street said before the game. "It's going to be an awakening. I'm more worried if he's playing center field when I'm up. He better catch it. If he doesn't catch it, he's going to be screamed at. This is the big leagues."
All kidding aside, Street and the rest of the players considered it an honor to be part of Ferrell's well-played publicity stunt for charity.
"He's doing everything for a great cause," Street said. "Someone like him — he brings such great attention to the game in a positive way, which I think is very healthy. He's been around sports and in sports and brought a lot of healthy attention. He's a very positive force, which is pretty much needed."
One could only imagine if crazy pills were necessary or consumed during the making of the stunt.
editor@www.smdp.com
