Not since August 4, 1982, when Joel Youngblood saw action (and got hits!) for both the New York Mets and Montreal Expos, has Major League Baseball witnessed a player suiting up for two different teams on the same day.
Thursday, Will Ferrell did Youngblood a few times better…playing for ten teams.
The actor started his day shortly after noon in Mesa, Arizona, as a member of both the Oakland A’s and, after a mid-game trade, the Seattle Mariners. Then, it was off to Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix and, ultimately, Glendale. Four different ballparks, eight more teams and in a move that harkened back to Bert Campaneris…a different position along the way.
10 teams. 10 jerseys. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/URMm7ibirw
— MLB (@MLB) March 12, 2015
“When I embarked on this journey way back at breakfast,” Ferrell said, “I thought to myself, ‘could I do it?’ The answer is yes.”
HBO, along with Ferrell’s Funny or Die, followed the entire Cactus League barn-storming stunt, collecting footage for an upcoming special dedicated to the fight against cancer.
“Spring Training affords an appropriate setting where our game can serve as the backdrop for an event that will benefit organizations that fight cancer,” commissioner Robert Manfred said. “Will is a big fan of our game, and many of us in baseball — among our clubs, players and our millions of fans — are big fans of his. Major League Baseball is happy to take part in what will surely be a fun and memorable day for a great cause.”
And while Ferrell’s adventure was generally well received (it was, ultimately, for charity), it seems many people soured on the idea early, didn’t realize it was for charity or, simply, don’t allow themselves to enjoy life.
https://twitter.com/DrunkMetsFan/status/576121523297222656
Let will Ferrell stick to movies. You wanna take time away from a kid who is trying to make an MLB team all for $ and laughs. Its dumb @MLB
— Jeffrey Epstein (@jeff_yanks316) March 12, 2015
#WillFerrell and the #MLB got together today to show kids that if you're rich and famous, you can do whatever the fuck you want!
— Joe Kilgallon (@joekilgallon) March 13, 2015
Why is Will Ferrell showing up all over my TL? What is that annoying asshole (Outside his role in Eastbound and Down) doing now?
— Fantasy Jeanyus (@FantasyJeanyus) March 13, 2015
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Honestly, this whole Will Ferrell playing in the MLB today is stupid. Is he doing it for a movie or just because dude is being an assclown?
— FooBear408® (@FooBear408) March 13, 2015
This whole Will Ferrell at Spring Training is dumb… It's taking away publicity from the young players who are trying to get exposed
— Connor Hall (@chall1524) March 13, 2015
Am I the only one that thinks it's stupid & annoying that Will Ferrell was a part of Spring Training today?
— Aaron (@AyAyRon__13) March 13, 2015
I'm sorry, but what Will Ferrell is doing right now in all these spring training games is stupid and ridiculous.
— In Development 🎯 (@j__1252) March 13, 2015
All of Will Ferrell's jerseys, plus other gear, will be auctioned off and proceeds donated to charity. But it's just a dumb publicity stunt
— sean (@seanyouidiot) March 13, 2015
Somewhere Garth Brooks, who routinely gets panned for his annual Spring Training stints, is wishing he would’ve had this idea years ago.
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