Visitors to multiple ballparks around Arizona’s Cactus League were all thinking the same thing Thursday.
“Great Odin’s raven! That player looks a lot like Will Ferrell”.
Their eyes weren’t deceiving them as the 47-year old actor suited up for 10 different teams, playing all 10 positions, throughout a seven-hour span.
No, the Anchorman star is not publicizing a new movie, rather raising funds for cancer-fighting organizations Stand Up To Cancer and Cancer for College. The production company Funny or Die, along with HBO and Major League Baseball, teamed with Ferrell on the project.
Cactus League games are played throughout the Phoenix area, but due to traffic Ferrell was forced to travel via helicopter to some games.
So the question remained – what does Will Ferrell playing baseball look like?
Anaheim Angels: Center Field
You’ve done good today @Trouty20, but watch your back… You’ve got some serious competition! #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/mnmXKDFJCL
— Angels (@Angels) March 12, 2015
Chicago Cubs: First Base / Third Base Coach
Basically the best third-base coach ever: http://t.co/GV7Qp2sG6B #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/mJ7puTHXz0 — MLB (@MLB) March 12, 2015
Seattle Mariners: Second Base
A tip of the cap to Will for a glorious inning. Thank you for supporting @SU2C & @CFCcharity. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/gvUuIfgOgb
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 12, 2015
Oakland Athletics: Shortstop
Will #FerrellTakesTheField! Playing shortstop for the #Athletics in support of @CFCcharity and @SU2C. pic.twitter.com/ELVvmHKg0W — Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) March 12, 2015
Cincinnati Reds: Third Base
Mmmmmm, nachos. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/LkMf1xIbCt
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 13, 2015
San Francisco Giants: Catcher
That escalated quickly. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/b0QntAVVeA — MLB (@MLB) March 13, 2015
Arizona Diamondbacks: Left Field
Now playing left field. He looks glorious. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/dGtuoQroEF
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 12, 2015
Chicago White Sox: Designated Hitter
Will struck out so we traded that sucker to @SFGiants. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/8Ag4x4ptMO — Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 13, 2015
Los Angeles Dodgers: Pitcher
Will Ferrell’s night in Dodger blue: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R. @CFCcharity and @SU2C should be very proud. pic.twitter.com/wQlCGviAXp
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 13, 2015
San Diego Padres: Right Field
Ferrell plays catch with Buddy the Elf #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/hAT2gXPllr — San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 13, 2015
Fittingly, Ferrell ended the night with Padres, home team for arguably his most famous character – Ron Burgundy.
He wore jersey No. 19 for the first nine teams, honoring Oakland A’s legend Bert Campaneris who played all nine positions 50 years ago. When playing for the Padres though, Ferrell changed to No. 20 and played right field to honor the late Tony Gwynn. San Diego has retired Gwynn’s No. 19.
After the final game, Ferrell told commentators on MLB Network that over $1 million was raised during the day for cancer research.
To quote Burgundy: “Don’t act like you’re not impressed”.