Padres Spring Training Report – Mar. 12, 2015

Just when you think you’ve seen it all…along comes Will Ferrell! Truthfully I would have been perfectly content with the organic drama that comes with any Padres vs. Dodgers contest, Cactus League play or not.

First you have the strong rivalry bordering on hatred hovering over every contest like a tornado storm gathering itself with the possibility of a funnel cloud touching down on any play or pitch.  Add to that Matt Kemp facing his old club for the first time, as well as former Padres and Dodgers executives now pledging allegiance to the other side while commingling in the scout area behind home plate, and the stage was already set for a fun night at the ballpark.

But there was a force working in the background that eclipsed all of that natural energy today, and that force was actor/comedian Will Ferrell, who was recreating baseball history today throughout the Cactus League.  Working with MLB he set out to play 10 different positions, with 10 different teams, in one day The premise was meant to honor Bert Campaneris who last accomplished the feat of playing every position in a game as a member of the Kansas City A’s back in 1965.  Farrell’s version of the feat on steroids was performed as part of an HBO special production of Funny Or Die, while also serving as a fundraiser for the Cancer For College, and Stand Up to Cancer foundations.

By the time he had played in four other games for 8 different teams the finale came to a crescendo in Peoria Stadium and I’ve never seen a stadium so exited to see a visitor to a ballgame in my life.  But this was no ordinary visitor, nor any ordinary visit to the ballpark – the star of Anchor Man (“Stay Classy San Diego.”) was here to play!

As luck would have it the game sped along at record pace with nary a run scoring for either side for 7 innings. The anticipation of his arrival had been building, and was now being replaced with concern that he might not make it before the final out. Then like a boxer heading towards the ring, Ferrell suddenly appeared walking down an aisle through the crowd towards the field, and the 10,000+ in attendance immediately stood up to gawk, stare, and ask for autographs as he tried to hustle down to the final stop on his whirlwind Cactus League tour.

There were a few boos as he was wearing a Giants jersey, which is good way to get bum rushed by Padres and Dodger fan alike! As he changed in the Padres dugout the crowd stayed on his feet while dozens of cameras and microphones recorded every movement.  I don’t think there could have been more buzz, interest, or anticipation had the President of The United States entered the stadium!  In fact, the game’s start was wisely delayed by 15 minutes to give him more time to make it from Glendale stadium – something I’v never seen done before even for a President.

He emerged from the dugout in a Dodgers uniform and proceeded to the mound, where he threw his warmup tosses with cameras surrounding him, eliciting whoops and cheers for each ball or strike he threw before facing PH Rico Noel.  Ferrell then preformed his part of the act by throwing a strike, allowing Noel to bunt the ball back to him perfectly so that he could field it cleanly and record the out of Noel at first. The crowd loved it! Mattingly had seen enough though, and as he went to the mound to make the change Ferrell showed his displeasure by stomping off the back of the mound and refusing to had over the ball and leave. When he finally left it was to a chorus of boos for lifting him, followed by cheers for the perfect effort.

For the finale Ferrell removed his #19 jersey, which number he had worn all day as an ode to Campaneris, and switched to #20 out of respect for the retired #19 worn by Mr Padre Tony Gwynn, and of course played right for the final inning of the game to honor Tony. The only action he saw out there however, was the ball sailing way over his head off the bat of Dodger outfielder Joc Pederson, for the games only run giving the Dodgers a 1-0 victory.

Ferrell clowning with Myers in the outfield during tonight’s game.

It was a fun undertaking for Ferrell that produced as much interest and anticipation as any promotional event I’ve seen at a ballgame, and hopefully it will generate some funds for some excellent causes as well.

There’s actually very little to tell you about the game itself that took place on tonight’s stage other than 1-2-3 innings record by both pitching staffs almost the entire night.

Here’s what little I can tell you…

• Jame Shields – He was magnificent. Three perfect innings recording 5 strikeouts including 4 in a  row to end the second and start the third innings.  He threw a first pitch strike to all nine batters he faced, and complimented his fastball with a filthy change up that none of the Dodgers could connect with. It was everything Shields can be, and a great example to every pitcher on the staff of what it means to go right after the hitters, and the result it normally produces.
• Wisler, Quackenbush, Vincent, & Kelley – All posted zero’s and quick innings looking sharp.
• Justin Upton –  Another double ripped into left field with the fastest hands in camp.
• Will Myers – Excellent head first diving play to end the 8th inning.  By far the best pay he’s made all spring as he tries to prove his ability to man CF.
• Rico Noel – Perfect bunt execution back to Ferrell to keep him from blowing out his hamstring going for a ball at the end of a long day on the field.

Tomorrow back to the drawing board, this time short the extra player they had tonight, #20 Ferrell. Game is in Tempe against the Angels, starting at 1:05, with the broadcast being a webcast on padres.com.  Hope you’ll join Jesse Agler and myself for some fun Cactus League baseball!

Scan