Will Ferrell Takes The Field: Relive The Actor’s Journey As He Played 10 Different Baseball Positions For 10 Teams

Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle and Will Ferrell. The names are synonymous with baseball legends and surprisingly, Ferrell, is now among them as the 47-year old actor made baseball history on Thursday. While filming a new HBO documentary partnered with Ferrell’s Funny Or Die website, the Anchorman actor played 10 different positions while suiting up for 10 different teams, in 5 separate Spring Training games.

Ferrell’s adventure took place in Phoenix, Arizona where his plan was to play in all five Cactus League games scheduled for Thursday across the state. The game times were staggered and Ferrell used a helicopter to get around, at one point landing on the field to an ovation by fans. Ferrell’s trek, which was followed on social media with the hashtag #FerrellTakesTheField, also raised money for cancer research as proceeds throughout the day went towards two charity organizations: College for Cancer and Stand Up To Cancer.

Latin Times was in attendance for two of Ferrell’s five games on the day and we watched live as he played centerfield for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 1^st base for the Chicago Cubs, right field for the San Diego Padres and pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. We even watched as Ferrell took his first swings in the batters box against a major league pitcher as well as coach third base with hilarious signs for the players and fans.

After the games we interviewed players and coaches on teams who got an opportunity to play alongside the hilarious actor and discussed with them what it was like to watch him try his hand at being a major leaguer. In the interim, we thought we would relive the glory that was Will Ferrell on the field as we documented his every move through social media. Enjoy

9:30 AM EST: Ferrell’s day started with the rooster’s song as he did an interview with ESPN’s “Mike and Mike in the morning.” He announced that his goal was to raise money for cancer charities and the target was $1 million. However, Ferrell vowed to take the whole experience seriously and even suggested to the hosts who share the same first name that he could make a professional roster.

“What if today I play out of my mind, and what if I make the regular roster? That’s kind of what the goal of today is – hoping to land with a club,” said Ferrell. “A lot of these clubs are really looking for a clubhouse presence you know, a 47-year-old journeyman to provide the intangibles.

11:20 AM EST: Ferrell arrives at the Oakland Athletics Spring Training facility where he declines interviews to all the media. “I can’t talk now, I’m in beast mode.” He says.

12:25 PM EST: Ferrell announced that he was attempting to break Bert “Campy” Campaneris record of playing nine positions in one game which he set back in 1965. Ferrell met the legend at the Oakland A’s facility and got a few tips from Campy.

MORE VIDEO: Will Ferrell in the cage for BP. #FerrellTakesTheField in support of @CFCcharity and @SU2C. pic.twitter.com/8gBnU5x59D

- Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) March 12, 2015

3:05 PM EST: Ferrell starts at shortstop for the Oakland Athletics as they take the field against the Seattle Mariners. It was the first game of the day for Ferrell and he was announced in the starting lineup.

3:23PM EST: The A’s announce that Ferrell has been traded to the Seattle Mariners and Billy Beane breaks the news to him in the dugout.

4:20PM EST: Ferrell comes out of the opposing team’s dugout in a Seattle Mariners jersey and takes the field at second base for the M’s.

5:01 PM EST: Ferrell gets a police escort to Diablo Stadium in Tempe, Arizona where the Chicago Cubs are taking on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Ferrell arrived right before the third inning where he took someone’s popcorn while heading to the dugout only to hand it to someone else. He then took out the American League MVP in Mike Trout in the third inning as Trout handed him his glove and hat. Minutes later, Ferrell got his first action of the day as Wellington Castillo singled to center.

“He told me he was going to take my spot,” said Trout about the incident. “For him to come take my glove and hat, I thought that was really cool. Stepbrothers was my favorite movie growing up.”

5:31PM EST: The Angels announced that they have traded Will Ferrell for a washing machine and he heads to the Cubs dugout where he returns an inning later as the Cubs new third base coach.

6:57PM EST: Ferrell is announced as a pinch hitter for the Cubs after meeting with new Chicago manager Joe Maddon. Ferrell steps into the plate against Angels’ reliever Zach Stewart.

“He’s a menacing figure at the plate, so I had to bring my best stuff,” said Stewart about striking out Ferrell. “I threw heaters and tried to blow his doors off. He’s one of my favorite actors, I’m a big Ron Burgundy guy, so this was pretty cool.”

6:13PM EST: Ferrell struck out and was immediately traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for a Churro Dog and a D-bat dog.

7:12PM EST: Ferrell arrives at Salt River Fields in Talking Stick, Arizona where he comes out of the bullpen to take over left field for the D-backs.

7:31 PM EST: After fielding a triple off the wall, Ferrell heads to the dugout where he tastes the churro dog that he was traded for.

7:38PM EST: Tony LaRussa releases an official statement, releasing Ferrell where he is immediately picked up by the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds announce they have claimed Ferrell and released actor/comedian Norm MacDonald to make room for him.

7:48PM EST: Ferrell heads to the Reds dugout for a quick wardrobe change and reappears with a fake beard next to his Reds teammates.

7:53PM EST: Ferrell takes the field for the Reds at third base, otherwise known as the “hot corner.” After the inning, Ferrell asks for and is granted his release from the reds where he wasted no time jumping in a helicopter and heading for his next game.

8:57PM EST: Ferrell’s helicopter lands in center field in the middle of the San Francisco Giants at Chicago White Sox game at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Ferrell is dressed in full uniform including: bat, batting gloves and helmet for his DH appearance with the White Sox.

9:34PM EST: Ferrell steps to the plate for his only appearance with the White Sox and surprisingly made contact for the first time.

9:35PM EST: He then struck out swinging on the next pitch and was promptly traded to the San Francisco Giants.

10:13PM EST: With the help of some camera crew and SF Giants catchers, Ferrell replaces Buster Posey behind the plate.

10:20PM EST: After an at-bat behind the plate, Ferrell is taken out by World Series champion head coach, Bruce Bochy. Ferrell begrudgingly heads back to the dugout.

11:15 PM EST: After getting stuck in traffic, Ferrell arrives in the seventh inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres game at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona. Ferrell immediately heads to the locker room where he emerges in a Dodgers uniform ready to take the mound.

“It’s not every day you see Will Ferrell on a baseball field,” said Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes who caught Ferrell. “I grew up watching all his movies, I’m a big Old School fan.”

11:25PM EST: After getting the leadoff batter to “groundout” back to him for the out, Dodgers’ manager, Don Mattingly, marches out of the dugout to take out Ferrell. “Give me one more,” asks Ferrell, but Mattingly calls to the pen, ending Ferrell’s time as a pitcher in the big leagues.

“It was pretty uncomfortable for me,” said Mattingly about having to give Ferrell the hook. “I mean what do I say to this guy? He’s been in all these movies, you don’t really want to try and be funny with a guy like that. I heard some moaning from the crowd when I took him out.”

11:33PM EST: Ferrell changes into a No. 20 Padres uniform instead of No. 19 which he had been wearing all day for the other clubs. Ferrell’s number change was in honor of the late Tony Gwynn who died last year and wore the No. 19, which is now retired by the Padres.

“It was the right thing to do,” said Dodgers outfielder Kike Hernandez of the number change. “Tony Gwynn is one of the best hitters of all-time. His number was retired and it was the right thing to do to not wear it.”

11:40PM EST: Ferrell takes over right field for Matt Kemp and warms up with Buddy the elf, a character he played in the movie Elf.

11:45PM EST: Dodgers centerfielder, Joc Pederson, sends Ferrell to the wall, but the ball travels over the fence for a game-winning home run. Ending Ferrell’s epic day with a loss.

“You couldn’t not tell he was out there, so I can’t say I forced it that way, but I tried to get a good pitch and put a good swing on it,” said Pederson of his home run to right field. “He was pretty impressive. I love Talladega Nights and Ricky Bobby.”

11:59PM EST: After the game, Ferrell address the crowd and talks about his epic day on the diamond.

Ferrell finished the marathon day playing for the Athletics, Mariners, Angeles, Cubs, D-Backs, Reds, White Sox, Giants, Dodgers and Padres. He went 0-2 with two strikeouts and made five plays in the field. He threw one pitch which he recorded himself for an out and finishes his career on the mound with a 0.00 ERA.