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Clips

(March 13, 2015)

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Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Will Ferrell visit a hit for Angels, Cubs and fans

Will Ferrell plays the fields at spring training

Angels' Joe Smith threw baseball's best pitch — in 2010

Mike Trout has big day in offensive exhibition with Cubs

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 7)

Will Ferrell set to play for Angels, Dodgers to raise money to fight cancer

Angels' Weaver fixes erratic delivery, remains unconcerned about velocity

Final: Angels 10, Cubs 9

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 9)

Angels scratch Joyce prior to game vs. Cubs

Ferrell shows off fielding skills while taking over for Trout

Ferrell fills in for Trout, who has huge day at plate

FROM THE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS (Page 14)

Long odds of making Angels don’t faze Taylor Featherston

“Anchorman” Will Ferrell plays ball for charity FROM FOX SPORTS (Page 18)

CAGE MATCH: DODGERS VS. ANGELS

Will Ferrell gets some action during Angels' slugfest with Cubs

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 19)

Cubs' Bryant homers twice; Angels' Trout has 3 hits

March 13, 2015 Page 3 of 20

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Will Ferrell visit a hit for Angels, Cubs and fans By Mike DiGiovanna

Will Ferrell has never won an Academy Award, but the actor comedian is the only guy in Hollywood who

can boast of replacing 2014 American League most valuable player Mike Trout in center field. Ferrell

jogged to the outfield in Tempe Diablo Stadium to start the third inning of Thursday’s exhibition game

against the Chicago Cubs. He took Trout’s cap and glove, and four batters later, he fielded Welington

Castillo’s hit cleanly and made a strong one hop throw to second to hold Castillo to a single. Ferrell’s

stop in Tempe was part of a five stadium tour of the Cactus League in which he was to play all nine

positions for 10 teams as part of an HBO special that will air later this year. “When he came out and took

my glove and hat, he said he was going to take my job — he was messing around with me,” said Trout,

who listed “Step Brothers” as his favorite Ferrell movie. “Growing up, watching him in movies and stuff,

it was pretty cool seeing him in real life. He was funny. Everyone got a kick out of it.” Ferrell’s day

started at Hohokam Park in Mesa, Ariz., where he played shortstop and second base in the Seattle-

Oakland game.

His next stop was Tempe, about a 15minute drive from Mesa. Ferrell entered the field from a gate down

the rightfield line, followed by a camera crew and more than a dozen photographers. He jogged toward

the first base dugout, slapping the hands of fans, stealing a bag of popcorn from one fan and giving it to

another. When he got to the Angels dugout, Ferrell was mobbed by Angels players who greeted him

with high fives and hugs. After his seamless half inning in center field for the Angels, Ferrell changed into

a Cubs uniform and coached third base for Chicago in the top of the fourth, flashing cue cards to batters

and baserunners with the sayings, “Swing as hard as you can,” and “Don’t steal,” and, “Did you sleep

well last night?” and “Take a pitch,” and “Remember, these games don’t count.” After the Cubs rallied

for four runs, Manager Joe Maddon sent Ferrell up to bat for Matt Szczur against Angels righthander

Zach Stewart. The Angels countered with an extreme shift, placing all four infielders on the right side.

Ferrell struck out swinging. “He’s a menacing figure at the plate, so I knew I had to bring my best stuff to

get him out,” Stewart said. “I threw all heaters. I tried to blow his doors off. He put a good swing on that

last one. It’s a good thing he didn’t catch up to it and take me off the wall.” Ferrell played first base for

the Cubs to start the bottom of the fourth, but after Josh Rutledge flied to left for the first out, Ferrell

was replaced by starter Mike Olt.

Ferrell, feigning disgust, slammed his glove to the ground and walked off the field. Ferrell and his crew

left Tempe and drove to Salt River Fields in Scottsdale to play in the Cincinnati Arizona game. From

there, he was to travel by helicopter to Camelback Ranch in Glendale to play in the San Francisco -

Chicago White Sox game. The Cactus League staggered the start times of the first four games to

accommodate Ferrell, whose day was scheduled to end at Peoria Stadium for a night game between the

Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Game used memorabilia from Ferrell’s journey will be auctioned at

mlb.com, with proceeds going to fight cancer. Ferrell spent the most time in the Athletics’ camp

Thursday morning, hanging around the clubhouse, taking batting practice and meeting former Oakland

shortstop Bert Campaneris, the man he was honoring by playing all nine positions Thursday. On Sept. 8,

March 13, 2015 Page 4 of 20

1965, Campaneris, in only his second major league season, played all nine positions for the Kansas City

Athletics in a game against the Angels. Ferrell declined all media interviews upon arriving in Oakland’s

camp, claiming, “I can’t talk. I’m in beast mode.”

Will Ferrell plays the fields at spring training

By Mike DiGiovanna

Will Ferrell's major league career was brief — one day and five games. But he made history just the

same, becoming the first player to bat for one team and catch for the other in the same half-inning.

He also replaced an MVP in the field and retired the only batter he faced on the only pitch he threw. Not

bad for a 47-year-old rookie with no previous professional baseball experience.

Ferrell, a comedian and movie star, made a whirlwind tour of the Cactus League on Thursday, playing 10

positions — including designated hitter — for 10 teams as part of both a cancer benefit and an HBO

special that will air this year.

The day started at Hohokam Park in Mesa, where Ferrell played shortstop and second base in the

Seattle-Oakland game. His next stop was Tempe, about a 15-minute drive from Mesa, where he

borrowed the cap and glove of Angels outfielder Mike Trout, then took the American League MVP's spot

in center in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs.

Four batters into the inning later he raced — relatively speaking — toward right-center to field

Welington Castillo's single, then one-hopped a throw to second to hold Castillo to a single.

“When he came out and took my glove and hat, he said he was going to take my job,” said Trout, who

listed “Step Brothers” as his favorite Ferrell movie. “Growing up, watching him in movies and stuff, it

was pretty cool seeing him in real life. Everyone got a kick out of it.”

Ferrell then changed into a Cubs uniform and coached third base in the top of the fourth, flashing cue

cards to batters and baserunners. “Swing as hard as you can,” read one. Others advised players not to

steal, to take a pitch and “Remember, these games don't count.”

Chicago Manager Joe Maddon eventually sent Ferrell up to hit for Matt Szczur. Ferrell struck out

swinging, then played a third of an inning at first base.

After that Ferrell and his film crew headed to Salt River Fields in Scottsdale for the Cincinnati-Arizona

game and from there to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, where he played for both the San Francisco

Giants and Chicago White Sox in the same half-inning.

That piece of history wasn't planned but when Ferrell and his crew got caught in traffic, delaying their

arrival until the ninth inning, they had to improvise. So after changing uniforms, Ferrell struck out

against the Giants' Jean Machi, then went behind the plate to catch an intentional walk from Machi.

March 13, 2015 Page 5 of 20

Ferrell ended his day in Peoria, pitching for the Dodgers and retiring non-roster outfielder Rico Noel on a

hard bunt back to the mound, then playing right field for San Diego in the ninth.

Ferrell's entrance in the top of the seventh inning in Peoria caused a momentary distraction with the

Dodgers hitting, but Manager Don Mattingly had no problems with the actor's stunt.

“It promotes our game. Obviously, it's doing something good for charity,” he said. “Will Ferrell's one of

those guys, you just love the movies. And he's funny.

“It's spring training. I know it is a fairly serious time from the standpoint of getting ready. But him being

out here for one hitter like that, it really didn't change the game any. Something like this is fun.”

Game-used memorabilia from Ferrell's journey will be auctioned at mlb.com, with proceeds going to

fight cancer. HBO is also donating proceeds from its project to Cancer for College, which provides

scholarships to current and former cancer patients.

Angels' Joe Smith threw baseball's best pitch — in 2010

By Mike DiGiovanna

Angels reliever Joe Smith was stunned to learn that a 24-year-old from Biola University chose a 93-mph

fastball Smith threw for Cleveland in 2010 as the single finest pitch of the last seven years.

"No kidding?" Smith said when informed of the distinction. "I hope that kid becomes a general manager

and gives me a raise."

Jarvis Greiner, a former Biola pitcher whose playing career ended because of a shoulder injury,

introduced his Quality of Pitch metric Thursday at the Society of American Baseball Research Analytics

conference in Phoenix.

Using data from baseball's camera-tracking PITCHf/x system, Greiner, who was profiled by Yahoo Sports

columnist Jeff Passan this week, devised a system to calculate the effectiveness of a pitch based on

movement, velocity and location.

Pitches were rated from minus-10 to plus-10 with anything 5.00 or better deemed a quality pitch. Using

data from the more than 5 million major league pitches thrown since 2008, Greiner determined that an

0-and-2 fastball from Smith to Boston's Billy Hall on Aug. 4, 2010, scored a 10.031.

Hall grounded the up-and-away strike weakly to second base.

"I was throwing 93 mph? Oh, that had to have been a while ago," said Smith, a sidearm-throwing right-

hander whose fastball now sits in the 89-mph range. "I remember Hall grounding out to second, but I

couldn't tell you what pitch it was."

Smith's 3.83 earned-run average in 2010 was the highest of his eight big league seasons, but perhaps

that pitch to Hall was a hint of his potential. Now 31, Smith has been one of baseball's most reliable

March 13, 2015 Page 6 of 20

setup men since 2011, with a 2.25 ERA in 289 games, including a 1.81 ERA and 15 saves for the Angels in

2014.

Smith is no connoisseur of new-age statistics, but he was intrigued by Greiner's system.

"I wouldn't know the first thing about how you compute something like that," Smith said, "but you kind

of wonder when you see some guys who throw 100 mph and get hit hard, and then you see a guy

throwing 88 and you can't hit him. That's kind of funny."

Smith said the stiffness in his upper right leg and abdomen area that has slowed him in camp would not

have sidelined him during the regular season. Smith threw in the bullpen Thursday, and he expects to

begin pitching in games next week.

"If this had happened during the season, I would have taken two days off, wrapped it up and pitched,"

Smith said. "Since it's early, they wanted me to give it some time to heal."

Mike Trout has big day in offensive exhibition with Cubs

Angels 10, Chicago Cubs 9

AT THE PLATE: Mike Trout looked comfortable in the box, lining run-scoring doubles to left field in the

second and fifth innings and singling to center in the fourth. Trout also walked, stole second and scored

on the first of Albert Pujols' two singles in the first. Pujols has eight hits in 18 spring at-bats for a .444

average. The Angels scored five runs in the fifth, highlighted by Drew Butera's three-run homer to left,

and C.J. Cron blasted a solo homer to left-center in the sixth. Butera and Collin Cowgill had two hits

apiece.

ON THE MOUND: Sean Newcomb, starting in place of the injured C.J. Wilson, gave up two runs and

three hits, all singles, and was pulled with two outs in the first, but the highly touted left-hander, a first-

round pick in June, was only scheduled to throw one inning. A pair of right-handers bidding for relief

jobs had rough outings. Matt Lindstrom gave up a long two-run homer to Kris Bryant in the third, and

Frank Herrmann was rocked for four runs and four hits, including Jorge Soler's homer and three doubles,

in the fourth.

EXTRA BASES: Outfielder Matt Joyce, who missed two games this week because of soreness in his rib

cage, was scratched because of a tight hamstring, but Manager Mike Scioscia said he expects Joyce to

play Friday. … Closer Huston Street, who experienced such severe flu symptoms Tuesday that he spent

the night at a hotel so he wouldn't get his pregnant wife or two young sons sick, returned to the team

Thursday. The right-hander will throw in the bullpen Friday and return to game action Sunday. … Cuban

infielder Roberto Baldoquin, who signed for $8 million in January, has received the necessary documents

to travel from Haiti to Miami and is expected to be in camp Friday or Saturday.

UP NEXT: San Diego Padres at Tempe Diablo Stadium at 1 p.m. On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 830.

March 13, 2015 Page 7 of 20

FROM THE OC REGISTER

Will Ferrell set to play for Angels, Dodgers to raise money to fight cancer

By Pedro Moura TEMPE, Ariz. – Will Ferrell will pull a Howie Kendrick today, playing for the Angels and then the Dodgers – and eight other MLB teams across the Cactus League in a highly publicized HBO event for charity. Channeling Bert Campaneris and his 1965 feat, Ferrell will play every position on the field in five games, beginning in Mesa, Ariz., with the Mariners-A’s. The Angels’ spring training home, Tempe Diablo Stadium, was his second stop, for their 1:10 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs. Ferrell played the top of the third inning in center field for the Angels, handling a single up the middle cleanly. Then he headed to the Chicago dugout to change uniforms and make an appearance for the Cubs. He took a turn as the team's third-base coach in the top of the fourth, then pinch-hit, striking out on three pitches to end the inning. From there, he’ll be off to the Diamondbacks’ facility in Scottsdale, on to Camelback Ranch to play in the White Sox-Giants game, where he’ll catch, and then Peoria Sports Complex, where he’s scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers. The whole trip should log less than 100 miles because of the proximity of Arizona's spring-training facilities. There will also reportedly be a helicopter involved. Ferrell has ties to the Angels and Dodgers. He announced the starting lineups at Dodger Stadium during the 2013 NLCS, and in 2010, he attended the Home Run Derby at Angel Stadium, wearing a Bobby Grich patch on his blazer. Grich was Ferrell’s favorite player growing up in Irvine. Coincidentally, Grich arrived Friday for a four -day stint as a guest instructor in Angels’ training camp. Proceeds from today’s events will be donated to charitable efforts in the fight against cancer. Game -used memorabilia from Ferrell's appearances will be auctioned. The MLB-sponsored Stand Up To Cancer will benefit, as well as Cancer for College.

Angels' Weaver fixes erratic delivery, remains unconcerned about velocity

By Pedro Moura

TEMPE, Ariz. – Jered Weaver’s average four-seam fastball last season clocked in at under 87 mph, his

average two-seamer under 86.

So it’s not as though it’s news when the ticker on his velocity hits 85 and stops, as he did in his second

spring start Wednesday. That’s probably to be expected at this point in the year and at this point in his

career.

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More noteworthy was his inability to repeat his delivery. For the first three innings of his start, Weaver

was uncharacteristically wild. Before the fourth, he and Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher agreed in

the dugout he was doing something wrong, and they fixed it.

“I figured out a little something mechanically,” Weaver said. “I was getting a little too long with my arm.

I shortened it up and felt like the timing was a lot better.”

Does he feel like his velocity is going to get better going forward? He bristled at that question.

“How many velocity questions are we gonna have?” Weaver asked. “I mean, I don’t really pay attention

to the velocity stuff. You’re not gonna feel pinpoint right now. There are gonna be timing issues and

things like that.”

Weaver has said something of that sort many times in recent seasons, but he’s also said many things

that contradict it. After he hit 90 mph for the first time all season last September, he admitted he’d been

working hard to build velocity, and Angels manager Mike Scioscia gushed without prompting about how

impressive it was.

So, while it’s not news, it’s not encouraging. There’s a correlation between velocity and success for most

pitchers, and Weaver himself posted a 3.21 ERA in starts where his average fastball was faster than 88

mph – compared to a 3.69 ERA otherwise.

There’s also an expectation he will regain more velocity in his four remaining spring starts.

“Guys definitely go through a progression in the spring,” Scioscia said. “There’s no doubt that guys

coming back are gonna have a little bit of dead arm. He’s been taking his bullpens and they’ve been

really good in between.”

NOTES

Matt Joyce was scratched from the lineup shortly before game time because of hamstring soreness, but

is expected to start Friday. …

Left-hander C.J. Wilson figures to start Tuesday after missing his Thursday start because of minor left-

knee soreness. …

Garrett Richards (knee) will throw another simulated game this weekend, and then potentially pitch in a

Cactus League game next week. …

Minor-league infielder Sherman Johnson helmed the team’s annual toy drive among players, supervised

by Mike Trout, who has previously played Johnson’s role. Boxes of toys will be donated locally.

March 13, 2015 Page 9 of 20

Final: Angels 10, Cubs 9

BY PEDRO MOURA

The game: In an outcome overshadowed by Will Ferrell’s charity appearance, the Angels topped the

Cubs, 10-9, at Tempe Diablo Stadium, coming back from a five-run deficit to move to 4-4 in Cactus

League play.

Pitching report: Left-hander Sean Newcomb, 21, didn’t complete an inning in his second start of the

spring, ambushed by a talented and similarly young Cubs lineup. Newcomb gave up three hits and two

runs while getting two outs. He was scheduled to work into the second inning. … Left-hander Cesar

Ramos allowed a solo homer in his lone inning, in his first time pitching against Joe Maddon, his

longtime manager with Tampa Bay.

Hitting report: Backup catcher Drew Butera hit a double and a two-run homer. … Albert Pujols had two

RBI singles, driving in Mike Trout both times. … Trout had two RBI doubles himself. … C.J. Cron homered.

… The winning run scored in the eighth inning when Grant Green doubled and catcher Jett Bandy singled

him in.

Defense report: Shortstop Erick Aybar made a leaping grab to save a run in the first inning, but made an

error in the fifth inning, his first of the spring. … Infielder Taylor Featherston earned praise from

Manager Mike Scioscia for his defensive efforts. … Ferrell fielded a ball cleanly in center field.

Up next: The Angels host the Padres at 1:10 p.m. Friday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Matt Shoemaker

faces Tyson Ross in a matchup of right-handers who had breakout 2014 seasons. On Saturday, the

Angels will play two games with Andrew Heaney and Nick Tropeano starting for the two split-squads.

FROM ANGELS.COM

Ferrell shows off fielding skills while taking over for Trout

Actor plays center field for Angels, before donning Cubs uniform

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | @Alden_Gonzalez | March 12, 2015

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Will Ferrell glided -- OK, tottered -- a few steps to his left, collected the base hit cleanly,

crow-hopped expertly and flung the baseball back into the Angels' infield, holding Cubs catcher

Welington Castillo to a mere single.

You know, just like Mike Trout would have done.

"He didn't get a double out of it," Trout said, "so that's pretty cool."

March 13, 2015 Page 10 of 20

The second stop on Ferrell's quest to play 10 positions for 10 teams in one day brought him to Tempe

Diablo Stadium early Thursday afternoon, where the Angels team he grew up rooting for hosted the

Cubs team he's often linked to.

To start the third, Ferrell jogged to center field to inform Trout he was coming out of the game, news

that had the 23-year-old phenom playfully throwing up his hands in disgust. Ferrell not only needed

Trout's position; he needed his cap and his glove, too.

"I'm going to take your job," Ferrell told him.

"He was just trying to make people laugh the whole time," Trout said. "It was pretty neat just having him

in the dugout."

Ferrell -- honoring Bert Campaneris and raising money for cancer research for an HBO special that will

air later this year -- stayed at the Angels' facility a little longer than expected.

He jogged into the Angels' dugout in the middle of the second, high-fived the entire Spring Training

roster, played a half-inning in center field, jogged to the Cubs' side, coached third base with an

assortment of large signs, then put on batting gloves that were in his back pocket and grabbed a bat.

Ferrell was ready to hit, with Minor League right-hander Zach Stewart coming out of the bullpen to face

him.

The pitcher wasn't going to let up.

"He's a menacing figure at the plate," Stewart said, "so I knew I had to bring my best stuff to get him

out."

Stewart was brought over from Minor League camp for his first Cactus League game this spring and had

no idea he'd be facing the famous actor/comedian until he finished warming up. He came at Ferrell with

"just heaters, trying to blow his doors off." Ferrell watched the first two, complained to the home-plate

umpire, then feebly swung through the third.

Stewart, a 28-year-old with 33 games of Major League experience, admitted he was "pretty amped up"

and a little disappointed.

"It would've been cool if he would've been in character as Ron Burgundy out there."

"Anchorman" is one of Ferrell's most popular movies, but the overwhelming favorite in the Angels'

clubhouse is "Step Brothers," the 2008 comedy Ferrell starred in alongside John C. Reilly. Angels right

fielder Kole Calhoun saw it three times in theaters and twice on DVD.

After striking out, Ferrell -- raised in Irvine, Calif., and beloved in Cubs circles for his Harry Caray

impression -- grabbed a first-base mitt, jogged to his new position and stayed there for one flyout to left

field. And then, Ferrell - or Ricky Bobby, or Jackie Moon, or Ron Burgundy, or Chazz Michael Michaels, or

Frank "The Tank" -- was gone.

He had more games to attend, more positions to play, more people to entertain.

March 13, 2015 Page 11 of 20

"Growing up watching him," Trout said, "it was pretty cool to seed him in real life."

Ferrell fills in for Trout, who has huge day at plate

Angels center fielder goes 3-for-3 with a stolen base

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | March 12, 2015

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant hit a ball not even Will Ferrell could reach.

Moments after the actor/comedian took Mike Trout's place in center field in the top of the third, the

Cubs' prized prospect took a fastball from Angels reliever Matt Lindstrom and blasted a towering shot

way out to left-center field in the Angels' 10-9 win over the Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Thursday.

Ferrell could only watch helplessly as Bryant crushed his first of two homers on the day. But he beamed

at Jorge Soler's home run an inning later, which came while Ferrell was coaching third base for the Cubs

and holding up a white sign that read, "Don't pull a muscle."

Bryant homered again in the sixth.

The Cubs plated eight runs in the first four innings, which ended with Farrell striking out on three pitches

from Zach Stewart.

Trout lined a two-out RBI double off Cubs starter Jason Hammel in the second, then scored on Albert

Pujols' single to right field -- Pujols' eighth hit in 15 Cactus League at-bats -- before being replaced by

Ferrell in the next half-inning. Trout later came back into the game, finishing 3-for-3 with a walk.

Sean Newcomb, the 21-year-old who has drafted 15th overall by the Angels last June, started in place of

C.J. Wilson (left knee) but couldn't finish his inning. He topped out at 95 mph and shattered a couple

bats, but gave up two runs on three hits and a walk and recorded only two outs.

Soler hit an RBI single off Frank Herrmann in the first, with Javier Baez scoring on a throw to second.

Bryant added his two-run homer in the third and the Cubs scored four runs off Herrmann in the fourth,

on a leadoff homer from Soler, a sac fly from Junior Lake and back-to-back RBI doubles by Welington

Castillo and Addison Russell.

Felix Doubront, competing for the fifth spot of the Cubs' rotation, yielded five runs in the bottom of the

fifth. David Freese, C.J. Cron and Collin Cowgill singled, and Drew Butera -- a favorite to be the Angels'

backup catcher -- hit a three-run homer. Three batters later, Trout laced an RBI single to left.

"It's early, but after the first three or four at-bats he's really gotten comfortable," Angels manager Mike

Scioscia said of Trout, who also stole a base and drew a walk. "He's just seeing the ball, getting hits with

two strikes and doing a good job."

Hammel wasn't happy with his outing. "Nothing's crisp, my breaking ball is not sharp right now. It's a

matter of building stamina and repetition. I guess it's that time of spring."

March 13, 2015 Page 12 of 20

Hammel didn't get a chance to talk to Ferrell much.

"I gave him a high five and good effort after his at-bat," Hammel said. "He took a swing. I was wondering

if he was going to swing, I was hoping he was going to swing. It's such a lose-lose situation for the

pitcher right there. If you strike him out, you look like a jerk. If you walk him or hit him, you're the worst

thing in the world."

Cubs-Angels was Ferrell's second stop in his quest to play 10 positions for 10 teams in one day, in honor

of Bert Campaneris to raise money for cancer charities.

"We're huge fans," Scioscia said. "He's as funny as a guy can be. Everybody in our dugout loves him, we

were happy to have him here, and it didn't become too much of a distraction."

Up next : Matt Shoemaker will make his second Cactus League start, opposite right-hander Tyson Ross,

when the Angels host the Padres from Tempe Diablo Stadium on Friday. The Angels' everyday players

aren't playing in three straight games yet, so there's a good chance Trout, Pujols, Kole Calhoun, Erick

Aybar and Freese all sit. Game time is 1:10 p.m. PT on MLB.TV and Prime Ticket.

Angels scratch Joyce prior to game vs. Cubs

By Alden Gonzalez

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels left fielder Matt Joyce was a late scratch from the Angels' lineup Thursday, prompting Collin Cowgill to take his place against the Cubs. Joyce missed a couple games over the weekend because of some soreness in his right side, but returned to the lineup Tuesday and notched three hits in five at-bats over the next two games. The Angels did not provide an immediate reason for Joyce's absence.

Grich thrilled to see biggest fan, Will Ferrell

Funnyman grew up in Irvine, rooting for 'intense' second baseman

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | @Alden_Gonzalez | March 12, 2015

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The 2010 Home Run Derby took place in Anaheim and legendary Angels second baseman

Bobby Grich was invited to watch it from owner Arte Moreno's suite. As soon as Grich walked in, he

heard his name on TV.

"It was Will Ferrell being interviewed, and he had a Bobby Grich-sewn emblem on his blazer," Grich

recalled. "I was like, 'What is going on here?'"

Turns out, Ferrell is a fan. A big fan. The famous actor/comedian was born and raised in Irvine, Calif., and

was between the ages of 9 and 19 during Grich's tenure with the Angels from 1977-86.

March 13, 2015 Page 13 of 20

Grich was Ferrell's favorite player. And it just so happens that Ferrell's appearance at Angels camp

Thursday, as part of his quest to play 10 positions for 10 teams in one day, coincided with Grich's four-

day stint as a guest instructor.

"I was really flattered," Grich said of that moment five years ago. "It made me feel really good that he

liked the way I played and he was a local kid. I was already a really big Will Ferrell fan, but I feel really

close to him now. I'm looking forward to seeing him today."

Ferrell stopped by the Angel Stadium press box once the competition began that afternoon, and Grich

made it a point to say hello.

"You were so intense, man," Ferrell said to him. "I loved watching you play."

Baldoquin set to arrive in camp after visa issues

Angels' Cuban infielder is making his way to Arizona

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | @Alden_Gonzalez | March 12, 2015

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels may finally get their chance to see Roberto Baldoquin this weekend.

After being held up by visa issues for several weeks, the 20-year-old Cuban middle infielder was in

Miami on Thursday and slated to fly to Arizona later that night. Barring another setback, Baldoquin --

given an $8 million signing bonus over the offseason -- will report to camp on Friday or Saturday

Baldoquin would be getting there just in time for the start of full-squad workouts on the Minor League

side, which is where he was slated to spend most of the spring. The Angels were hoping to have him

work on the Major League side in the early part of spring, but Baldoquin was held up in the Dominican

Republic and Haiti over issues with his temporary worker visa.

For the last few days, Baldoquin was stuck in his hotel room in Haiti -- where he established residency

upon defecting Cuba -- because the Haitian government was on strike.

"We really want to see him out here and watch him play," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said

recently. "He's been outstanding in the Dominican, and at this time of year, in the Dominican Republic,

we're constantly playing games in camp and against other clubs. Baldo, prior to leaving for Haiti, he was

playing every day. The reports are that he's a leader among the team."

Worth noting

• Matt Joyce was a late scratch from the Angels' lineup Thursday because of a tight hamstring. The move

was precautionary, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, and the veteran outfielder could return Friday.

• C.J. Wilson, who was scratched from his Thursday start after tweaking his left knee in pitchers' fielding

practice, got a precautionary MRI that checked out fine. He's slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday

and then take his next turn Tuesday.

March 13, 2015 Page 14 of 20

• Garrett Richards will pitch in another two-inning simulated game over the weekend, this time with PFP

mixed in, and then he'll be ready to pitch in his first Cactus League game, perhaps middle or late next

week. Scioscia said he'll probably only just throw one inning in his first game.

• Huston Street is back with the team after getting sick right before game time Tuesday and staying in

his room on Wednesday. He'll throw a bullpen session Saturday and expects to pitch in a game Sunday.

• Joe Smith has yet to appear in his first Spring Training game because of lower-leg stiffness. He said if it

were the regular season, he would've only missed a couple days.

"It's just one of those things early in spring, they just wanted me out there with [no ailments]," Smith

said.

He should pitch in the next couple days and has plenty of time to be ready for the regular season.

FROM THE LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

Long odds of making Angels don’t faze Taylor Featherston

By J.P. Hoornstra

TEMPE, Ariz. >> Mike Scioscia didn’t have to think very long to recall the last Rule 5 draft pick to make an Opening Day roster with the Angels: Pitcher Derrick Turnbow in 2000, Scioscia’s first year as manager. Fifteen years later, Turnbow is the only Rule 5 draft pick ever to stick with the Angels under Scioscia. Don’t tell that to Taylor Featherston. Actually, go ahead. Tell him. “You have to be a firm believer that you can compete and hold your own and at least tell yourself that you’re the best on the field,” Featherston said. “Even if that’s true or not, I feel that attitude is going to be the best for any player.” A calculated stubbornness is really helpful for someone in Featherston’s position. As a Rule 5 pick, the Angels can’t send him to the minor leagues. If healthy, Featherston is either on the Angels’ 25-man roster on Opening Day or going back to the Colorado Rockies, who chose not to protect Featherston during the Rule 5 draft in December. That means Featherston, who’s never played an inning above Double-A in his life, must outperform infielders Grant Green, Johnny Giavotella and/or Josh Rutledge — all of whom have major league experience. One of the four will get the majority of the playing time at second base. The other will back up at second base, shortstop and maybe third too. There’s a reason no Angels Rule 5 pick has beaten the odds in 15 years — the odds are beyond long. Featherston, 25, doesn’t see it that way, but he isn’t really paying attention.

March 13, 2015 Page 15 of 20

“For the most part, you have to take those thought processes out of your head and just focus on your daily routine, geting better every day,” he said. “Nothing’s changed from High A to Double A to Fall League to here. The only difference is the guys in the room, more people watching the games, that’s it.” Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto insists that Featherston’s odds aren’t all that long, period. “What Taylor’s shown us so far is that he is mature on the field beyond what his level of play to this point would suggest,” Dipoto said. “He gets in the box and it’s composed. He battles through his at-bats. He really grinds. I think he’s done a great job taking advantage of the opportunity. It’s there for him.” So far Featherston has good reason to feel like he belongs. In his first 12 Cactus League at-bats — a postage-stamp-sized sample against an ecletic group of pitchers — he has three singles, a double and four RBIs. Featherston has also made two errors at second base in 16 chances, and what he does in the field might mean more than anything he does at the plate. The player Featherston is essentially replacing on the roster, John McDonald, was a defensive whiz. “With Taylor, he played collegiate ball, played through Double-A, he’s shown the makeup to handle stuff,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “Hopefully he’ll match it with the physical things we need on the field.” #FERRELLTAKESTHEFIELD Actor/comedian Will Ferrell played all nine positions on the diamond in five different Cactus League games Thursday, a made-for-TV stunt that gained wide attention. Ferrell’s game-used memorabilia will be auctioned off for charity at a later date. Ferrell played one inning in center field for the Angels in Tempe, cleanly fielding a routine single up the middle. Mike Trout was allowed to return to his position afterward. Using a helicopter and a car to shuttle around greater Phoenix, Ferrell appeared in two more afternoon games, then joined the Dodgers for their night game against the San Diego Padres in Peoria. Taking the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning, Ferrell pitched one-third of an inning. The 6-foot-3 right-hander threw one pitch to Padres batter Rico Noel, who intentionally bunted the ball back to the mound. Ferrell threw out Noel, then was removed by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly in mock disgust. Ferrell wore number 19 for the Dodgers, which had been retired by the franchise to honor Jim Gilliam. ALSO Zack Greinke will start one of the Dodgers’ two games against the Texas Rangers at the Alamodome in San Antonio, either March 20 or 21. Mattingly said that Clayton Kershaw will not make the trip. ... Dodgers pitchers Mike Adams and J.P. Howell (groin) emerged from their recent mound sessions healthy and could return to game action this weekend. … Former Dodgers staffer Colin Gunderson is returning to Camelback Ranch this weekend to sign copies of his new book, Tommy Lasorda: My Way, along with

March 13, 2015 Page 16 of 20

the Hall of Fame manager. There will be two signings in the center-field pavilion: 6-8 p.m. Friday and noon-2 p.m. Saturday.

“Anchorman” Will Ferrell plays ball for charity

By Bob Baum

MESA, Ariz. — Telling everyone “I’m a five-tool guy,” Will Ferrell was off on his barnstorming tour Thursday through five Arizona spring training games. Wearing No. 19 for every team, the star of “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Elf” and many other movies played shortstop for the Oakland Athletics, second base for the Seattle Mariners, center field for the Los Angeles Angels and first base for the Chicago Cubs. As a surprise, he pinch hit, rather unsuccessfully, for the Cubs and spent a little time as their third base coach, holding up signs, one of which said, “Remember These Games Don’t Count.” Then it was off to Scottsdale, for the Cincinnati Reds vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. The comedian planned to play for 10 teams in five spring training games, playing every position along the way. His police escorted caravan was to drive to his first three stops, then he was to take a helicopter from the Diamondbacks’ spring home in Scottsdale to the Chicago White Sox’s field in Glendale. And it was all for a good cause, he said. Before his odyssey began, Ferrell told a radio interviewer that he expected to raise $1 million to be used for college scholarships for cancer survivors. The entire tour was being chronicled by HBO for an upcoming special. Memorabilia from his journey is to be sold at auction on MLB.com with proceeds going to Cancer for College and Stand Up to Cancer. Ferrell had his usual (false) bravado on display. In the A’s clubhouse before the game, he told shortstop Marcus Semien, “I could catch fire today and you could be on a bus back to Triple-A.” In his interview on MLB radio, he said “I’m actually hoping that my acting career is over after today.” “I think it’s pretty much the feeling out here that I’m going to land with one of these clubs,” Ferrell said. “These teams need a clubhouse presence and my presence is a flabby 47-year-old guy that doesn’t know how to play. But I have life experience and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.” Oakland scored three runs in the ninth inning to beat Seattle 4-3, leading A’s manager Bob Melvin to say, ‘It looked like it took us until that last inning to get over the fact that we traded Will Ferrell.” Ferrell arrived early at HoHoKam Park, spring training home of the A’s, telling people as he entered that he was in “beast mode.”

March 13, 2015 Page 17 of 20

He took batting practice with the Athletics, actually hitting a couple up the middle. When he took the field at shortstop, the crowd cheered when he fielded a warmup grounder and threw it perfectly to first base. “I never would have thought Will Ferrell would play second base behind me,” Seattle pitcher Jordan Pries said. “Honestly, I didn’t want anything to go that way, but I was just trying to pitch. Once the ball leaves my hand, I have no control. I didn’t realize what a spectacle, a circus, it was going to be. You want to get your work in but you want to have fun, too.” Alas, he never touched the ball during play for the A’s and Mariners. In Tempe for the Cubs-Angels, he replaced Mike Trout in center field, taking Trout’s hat and glove. He cleanly fielded a single and threw it to the infield and the crowd roared. He wasn’t so successful at the plate for the Cubs, striking out on three pitches. He played for only one out at first, leaving after a batter flew out to left. This was just the latest, perhaps most ambitious, of Ferrell’s forays into sports and injection of his character into the world at large. In 2010, he pitched, albeit briefly, for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, wearing a fake mustache in the guise of “Rojo Johnson,” a pitcher with a fiery temperament. He threw one pitch behind the Nashville batter. As he left the field, he ripped off the mustache and waved triumphantly to the crowd. Two years later, he and fellow actor Zach Galifianakis invaded a Cubs game, throwing out the first pitch then hilariously butchering the introduction of the lineups. They said Alfonso Soriano was from Scotland and pitcher Jeff Samardzija led the league with 450 strikeouts. That same year, Ferrell introduced the Chicago Bulls lineup and said Luol Deng “collects birds and has a pet dolphin named Chachi.” The rapid baseball journey also commemorated the time, 50 years ago, that Bert Campaneris played all nine positions in a game. “I don’t know why he played all five positions,” Ferrell said in the radio interview. “I guess some of the other guys were sick.”

March 13, 2015 Page 18 of 20

FROM FOXSPORTS.COM

CAGE MATCH: DODGERS VS. ANGELS

By Ken Rosenthal

Dodgers (91 projected wins) vs. Angels (86)

Yeah, you can nitpick the Dodgers. Free-agent additions Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson have

lengthy injury histories. Closer Kenley Jansen will be out at the start of the season after undergoing

surgery on his left foot, and the bullpen could prove a work in progress. My biggest concern is a seeming

lack of power, but if things go wrong, the new front office can adjust in July. One way or another, this

will be a very good team.

The Angels should be very good, too – not the 98-win good of last season in an improved AL West, but

certainly a contender. As I’ve written before, GM Jerry Dipoto has done well to quietly but effectively

increase his pitching depth. But I’m worried about the offense – second base could be a black hole, and

left field is an open question given the uncertainty surrounding Josh Hamilton. Mike Trout can only mask

so much.

My pick: Dodgers 93 wins, Angels 88

Will Ferrell gets some action during Angels' slugfest with Cubs

By Bear Heiser

The Los Angeles Angels got to spent some time with Will Ferrell on Thursday as the hilarious actor journeyed all over the state of Arizona to play all 10 positions on the diamond for 10 different major league teams. He isn't the first famous, non-baseball playing person to take the field in an official spring training game -- Billy Crystal, Tom Selleck, Garth Brooks, Bruce Hornsby and Mr. Field of Dreams, himself, one Kevin Costner are a few of the notable names. Ferrell arrived early, spending time in the Angels locker room before taking the field. He smiled, he shook hands, he made folks laugh. And the Angels coaches and players seemed to love having the great Ron Burgundy as part of the day's festivities. He trotted to the first base dugout from right field, fans cheering, with a mass of photographers and cameramen in tow, like there was some sort of imaginary red carpet. Angels manager Mike Scioscia didn't wait long to get Ferrell in the lineup, placing him in centerfield, where he replaced MVP Mike Trout. With one out in the top of the third inning, Cubs catcher Wellington Castillo came to the plate, starting dead ahead at one of the funniest people imaginable. The distraction wasn't enough for Castillo, as he lined one to center, forcing Ferrell to move slightly to his left to field the ball on one hop, before short-

March 13, 2015 Page 19 of 20

hopping the cutoff man who was standing about 10 feet off the infield grass, holding the catcher to a single. Ferrell's lone play in the field was textbook from start to finish, like he had spent countless minutes learning from the great Tom Emanski or something. The Cubs went on to put a few runs on the board, leaving Ferrell in the Angels' outfield yucking it up with whoever would listen. When the inning ended, Ferrell took what appeared to be a well-deserved victory lap from one dugout to the other, waving to the crowd in appreciation. And like that, he was gone, "traded to the Cubs for a washing machine," according to the Angels' Twitter account. Gone are the days when stars would stay with one team for innings at a time. In a matter of minutes, Ferrell went from the Anchor(man) of the Angels' outfield to the third base coach for everyone's favorite "loveable losers," the Cubs, where he spent the next half inning. As the inning went on, with the Angels at the plate, Ferrell stood in the coaches box on the third-base line, giving out signs to his baserunners, signs like "don't pull a muscle," and "swing as hard as you can" and "remember these games don't count." These weren't your ordinary baseball signs. Ferrell's words of wisdom were printed on large white cue cards, the kind you'd see from a Chip Kelly offense. And that's not the only coaching Ferrell gave out while at third. With Addison Russell at the plate, Ferrell signaled waved over the Cubs shortshop. Ferrell was very animated in whatever he said to the Cubs' youngster, who then went on to hit an RBI double to deep centerfield. Will clearly willed Russell to get on base. After a pitching change for the Angels, Ferrell was inserted into the Cubs' lineup to face right-hander Ryan Mattheus. Let's just leave it at this: It didn't go well for "Frank the Tank." He struck out to end the inning, failing to make contact on any of the three pitches he saw. With time to spare before moving on to his next stop, Cubs first-year manager Joe Maddon insterted Ferrell at first base, where he faced one batter before yogging off the field to showers of cheers. Not long after, the Cubs traded Ferrell to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for a Churro Dog and a D-bat Dog -- two very questionable items sure to provide a major league manager with hours of indigestion. How Cubs of them. Apparently, bottled outfield pool water wasn't on the block. By the time Thursday expires, Ferrell will have traveled a total of 87 miles to five different stadiums, all by helicopter. What a cool life he lives. FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs' Bryant homers twice; Angels' Trout has 3 hits

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Cubs top prospect Kris Bryant homered twice, once with funnyman Will Ferrell in

center field for the Angels, and Jorge Soler also connected in Chicago's 10-9 loss to Los Angeles on

Thursday.

Ferrell replaced Mike Trout, who had three hits, in the outfield for the third inning. The ''Anchorman''

star had a good view of Bryant's long drive to left-center. Bryant also homered in the sixth.

March 13, 2015 Page 20 of 20

Ferrell made a nice play in center, cleanly scooping up Welington Castillo's single and throwing to the

cutoff man near second base.

Soler hit his second home run of training camp in the fourth and was greeted by Ferrell, who was

coaching third base for the Cubs. Ferrell had changed uniforms between innings, part of his attempt to

play for 10 teams in five games Thursday for a TV special.

Ferrell played first base and struck out for the Cubs.

C.J. Cron hit his second spring homer for the Angels and Drew Butera his first, a three-run shot in a five-

run fifth inning.

Cubs starter Jason Hammel gave up five hits and three runs with two walks and two strikeouts in his

second spring start.

STARTING TIME

Cubs: Hammel went 8-5 with a 2.98 in 17 starts with the Cubs in 2014 before he was dealt to Oakland.

He was a combined 10-11 with a 3.47 ERA in 30 games, 29 starts.

Hammel wasn't happy with his performance but said having Ferrell at the ballpark helped him.

''It's hard to be (ticked) off at myself (when) we have Will Ferrell running around out there,'' Hammel

said. ''Nothing was crisp. My breaking ball is not sharp now ... Getting my pitch count up was what it was

about (today).''

In his first outing, Hamel allowed four hits and three runs in two innings on March 7.

Angels: No. 2 prospect Sean Newcomb got only two outs in his first spring start, allowing three hits and

two runs with a walk and a strikeout. Manager Mike Scioscia said Newcombe looked better than his line

showed.

''They got four broken-bat base hits off him,'' Scioscia said.

Newcombe was the Angels' first-round selection (15th overall) in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.

UP NEXT

Cubs: Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada faces the Indians in Mesa. Right-hander Jake Arrieta will make his

second spring appearance vs. Oakland in Las Vegas.

Angels: Matt Shoemaker will make his second Cactus League start against San Diego at Tempe Friday.

Shoemaker broke through with a 16-4 record and a 2.94 ERA in 2014 with the Angels. He allowed two

runs in three innings in his first spring outing.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: Outfielder Matt Joyce was a late scratch from Thursday's game after he pulled a hamstring.

Joyce was set to hit cleanup against the Cubs.