Will Ferrell’s day at Tempe Diablo Stadium was actually pretty damned entertaining.
After going through the handshake line in the Angles dugout, Ferrell was soon headed out to centerfield to replace some guy named Mike Trout. Not sure who he is.
Most likely, the highlight of Trout’s time in a major league camp will be giving Ferrell the hat off his head; Ferrell seemed to have forgotten his.
After Kris Bryant bombed a 2-run home run into deep left center (despite it being smoked, Ferrell seemed to make a good read and effort after the ball), Ferrell finally saw some action. Welington Castillo lined a single just to the left of Ferrell. Exhibiting cat-like reflexes and dexterity, Ferrell made a quick break to the ball and snatched it cleanly off the hop. He even hit the cutoff man to keep Castillo from trying for two.
“He made a nice play in the outfield [and] was a lot of fun on the bench,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “He’s got athleticism, too.”
His day in center over, Ferrell’s next assignement was third base coach for the Cubs. Giving the signs was easy. He had about 10 gigantic cue cards on hand to help batters.
Written on them were things like “Swing as hard as you can,” and “Remember, these games don’t count.”
Ferrell wasn’t taking things easy. Prior to his at bat even starting, Addison Russell was called over. Ferrell read him the riot act. A pointing, shouting and red-faced Ferrell sent Russell back to the batters box. Message received.
The crowd and players all seemed to get a kick out of the stunt. Cubs starter Jason Hammel, who by his own admission had a rough day, said, “It’s hard to be pissed off at myself because you’ve got Will Ferrell running aroun the field.”
Once in the batter’s box, Ferrell was overmatched. Three straight from Zach Stewart lead to a swinging strikeout although Ferrell did seem to have some questions about the strike zone for home plate umpire Rob Drake.
His last assignment was at first base for the Cubs. It was brief–just one out.
“[Ferrell] said something to the umpire,” Maddon joked. “and that attitude stuff–I didn’t want it permiating the rest of the dugout.”
All in all, a memorable afternoon. Especially for that Mike Trout guy–whoever he is.
